POSITION SUMMARY
The Project Manager is a key member of The Trust for Public Land’s close-knit Colorado & Southwest team. S/he works to acquire and conserve priority lands that enhance and expand access to our public lands, ensure local residents have close-to-home parks, trails and open space and help rural communities fulfill their visions for the landscapes that surround them. S/he uses a broad spectrum of nonprofit land acquisition techniques and sound business practices to produce tangible, lasting on-the-ground results. This position generates support for The Trust for Public Land through donations and the successful completion of real estate transactions.
Colorado and the Southwest (Utah, Arizona and New Mexico) feature some of the nation’s fastest growing metropolitan areas and contain some of the country’s most iconic and ecologically-important lands and waters. The Trust for Public Land has been successful over the past 35 years in conserving about 700,000 acres across the region. Our land protection work ranges from neighborhood parks to national parks. By employing a can-do spirit and a creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial approach, we have developed a reputation as an organization that gets things done, and does so in partnership with local communities, neighborhoods and partner organizations. The person in this position will have a passion for conservation, a great sense of humor and a true zeal for real estate deals. With a primary focus in Colorado, but with the opportunity to work across the region, s/he will play a lead role in advancing and accelerating projects that advance The Trust for Public Land’s “land for people” mission.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Assumes primary responsibility for identifying, negotiating, documenting and closing real estate transactions with the assistance of Legal and Finance staff.
Explores potential projects by contacting landowners, nonprofit organizations, local elected officials, community leaders and municipal, county, state and federal public agency staff.
Assumes primary responsibility for securing interim financing and permanent public funding for land protection projects through existing or new public and private funding sources.
Develops and implements strategies for acquisition of priority properties and their conveyance to public agencies or other permanent stewards.
Manages transactions, which involves researching and completing all phases of projects from initial outreach and landowner negotiation, supervision of appraisers, surveyors, and other consultants, to ultimate sale and conveyance to a public agency or non-profit partner.
Identifies areas in which TPL’s interim protection strategy is needed for the preservation of open space lands of critical local, regional, or national importance; develops and maintains portfolio of potential projects; responds to inquiries by individuals, groups, agencies, etc…
Generates revenues for TPL through transactions and/or fundraising in the private sector.
Identifies and secures project funding from multiple sources. Good working knowledge of processes for obtaining public, private, foundation, and corporate funding. Captures contacts for TPL database and maintains landowner relationships for fundraising purposes.
Builds public awareness and understanding of TPL through outreach events, leading meetings, public speaking engagements, fundraising efforts and creating a public presence for TPL.
Collaborates with national-level Federal Affairs and Conservation Finance teams and local staff and partners to advance policy, funding and other legislative priorities.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
May be involved in programmatic work, such as the coordination of a land acquisition program covering multi-parcel deals.
Other relevant duties as necessary.
INTERACTION WITH OTHERS
Interacts with external professionals whom are involved with the purchase and sale of land, including public agency staff, non-profit partners, surveyors, lawyers, planners, appraisers, landowners and elected officials.
Should be comfortable with public speaking and with representing TPL to the public at outreach events.
Works independently with occasional guidance from supervisor.
Works with Federal Affairs, Conservation Finance, Marketing, Philanthropy, Legal, Finance and Field Support teams.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of 3-4 years land protection project-related or equivalent land trust or non-profit experience. Experience with land acquisition projects preferred.
This position requires moderate to heavy travel. Evening and weekend work should expected.
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Superior written and oral communication skills.
Proficient in computer applications. MSOffice Basics, Internet.
Demonstrated understanding of real property and tax law, land use planning techniques, environmental assessments, titles and government land acquisition policies/procedures. Politically astute and sensitive.
Strong, entrepreneurial negotiator, able to secure complicated real estate deals.
Able to analyze and explain potential tax benefits and financial forecasting. Management of contracts.
Able to work on complex projects with moderate level of supervision.
Able to initiate and participate fundraising efforts.