Position Description

TITLE: Director of Stewardship and Special Projects
SUPERVISOR: Executive Director
LOCATION: Wilmington, NC
DATE: July 2026
CLASSIFICATION: Full-time, Permanent, Exempt
SALARY RANGE: $65,000- $85,000 [commensurate with experience]

DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION
The Coastal Land Trust (CLT) is a high-performing, accredited, regional land trust with a reputation for excellence. It works to enrich North Carolina through the conservation of natural areas and working landscapes, education, and the promotion of good land stewardship in the 31 counties of eastern NC. Since 1992, more than 90,000 acres of land with scenic, recreational, historic, and/or ecological value have been protected.

SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Director of Stewardship and Special Projects (Director) is responsible for leadership of two program areas of the Coastal Land Trust’s (CLT) work: the land stewardship program and special project management, to be carried out under the supervision of the Executive Director. The Director’s stewardship authority includes formulating and making policy recommendations on stewardship, land management, and other issues related to the organization’s preserve portfolio, while implementing site-specific strategies based on these policies, maintaining cooperative relationships with partners and funders as appropriate, all, of which, in accordance with best practices in the land trust community. The Director, as assigned by the Executive Director, and in consultation with the Director of Land Protection, Northeast Region Director, and General Counsel will develop and implement plans and budgets; third party uses and agreements; and site improvements and public access at the organization’s existing preserves. The Director will work closely with the leadership team to develop and manage growth of land trust stewardship and its strategic response to an ever-increasing demand for the organization’s services, including public access.

The Director will supervise stewardship and environmental education staff in monitoring the conserved lands portfolio and maintaining regular landowner communications. The Director is responsible for personnel matters for the stewardship team, working in cooperation with administrative, legal, and financial staff. The Director is responsible for maintaining the organization’s accredited status through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Director has direct responsibility for responding to and documenting stewardship issues, including landowner compliance with conservation easement restrictions, landowner requests and inquiries, etc. The Director will assist development staff with outreach and environmental education at various events, and will also assist with creating, tracking and reporting grants in support of the stewardship, environmental education, and outreach at preserves.

The Director will manage specific community conservation projects as assigned, including representing CLT in partner community spaces, and will serve as the leader and primary point of contact for special projects.

This position requires thorough knowledge of land trust stewardship and practices, strategic thinking, creativity, excellent organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to plan, develop, and implement multiple projects simultaneously.

DUTIES

  • Serve as a member of the leadership team, participating fully in organizational decisions.
  • Review all potential land conservation projects including easements for stewardship issues.  Assist land protection staff in development of budgets for stewardship endowment and annual management costs. Prepare or supervise preparation of easement documentation reports.
  • Maintain pertinent stewardship files for legal defense for existing conservation easements and preserves. Resolve potential and actual violations of easements with legal counsel; proactively communicate with landowners in ways to prevent and/or minimize potential violations.
  • Provide support for the Board of Directors on stewardship policies and activities as well as community conservation projects.
  • Develop management and restoration plans and budgets for preserves in consultation with the Director of Land Protection and the Northeast Region Director, including revenue from land management activities and hunt leases.
  • Manage preserves for public or third-party use, including site design, budgeting, contracting, engaging partners, promoting, managing or limiting access, and developing/distributing appropriate educational and/or outreach materials.
  • Lead ongoing community conservation efforts and develop new community conservation initiatives that advance the land trust’s mission. Lead staff in operating pursuant to best practices in stewardship and special projects; in maintaining accreditation and compliance with accreditation guidelines; and in improving internal systems with an emphasis on future needs and budget realities.
  • Identify, apply for, and manage public and private grants in support of land stewardship mission.
  • Participate in donor and partner engagement related to CLT’s land protection and stewardship work.
  • Comply with all federal and state laws, rules and regulations, all professional and ethical standards, and land trust best practices.

Administration

  • Supervise Stewardship and Environmental Education Team of 3+/- employees; develop staff goals and work plans, track progress, provide coaching and feedback routinely, and complete annual performance reviews.
  • Prepare detailed revenue estimates, projected expenses, annual budgets, and updates for the Leadership Team and Board of Directors.
  • Oversee the effective use and maintenance of the LOCATE (Salesforce) database.
  • Oversee Accreditation compliance.

Other Job Requirements

  • Coordinate with development staff on public relations/educational activities and programs that promote the Coastal Land Trust’s mission.
  • Travel as required throughout the organization’s 31-county service area including overnight and weekends travel. A valid driver’s license is required.
  • Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
  • Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software and other basic PC platforms; ArcGIS and Salesforce experience preferred.
  • Passion for land conservation and the mission of the Coastal Land Trust.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in botany, ecology, biology, environmental science, natural resources management or policy, or other related science field.
  • Six or more years in biological, conservation, or environmental work. Experience in a non-profit setting preferred.
  • Four or more years of team management experience. 
  • Excellent knowledge of current stewardship requirements, land trust standards and practices, trends and risks.
  • Excellent communication skills.  Ability to communicate effectively with landowners, government officials, volunteers, Board members and business and philanthropic representatives. Mediation skills.
  • Success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple demands.
  • Demonstrated ability or track record of people leadership skills, and empathy.
  • Ability to work independently and on their own initiative as well as part of a team.
  • Proven ability to remain focused in the face of pressure while delivering against timelines.
  • Experience and success in managing employees.
  • Good physical condition, including ability to work in the field in varying field conditions as required for site inspections, field trips, and other assignments.
  • Familiarity with eastern North Carolina history and culture is a definite plus.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

  • The salary range for this position is $65,000- $85,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance offered at 100% coverage for employees, as well as a 3% match in a SIMPLE IRA plan after earning $5,000 in compensation.
  • Generous paid sick and vacation leave, paid holidays.

To Apply
Submit one document that includes your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interests to the attention of Jesica Blake to jobs@coastallandtrust.org with the subject line “Director of Stewardship and Special Projects.” Priority application deadline is July 20,2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For more information, visit www.CoastalLandTrust.org.

We believe that a diverse workplace is critical to achieving our goals. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool and encourage applications from structurally marginalized communities and experiences to apply. Frequently cited statistics show that applicants from structurally marginalized and/or underrepresented groups apply for jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. The Coastal Land Trust encourages you to break that statistic and to apply. No one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application!