Who We Are:

At TPL, we're a team of outdoor advocates who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. As an ethos, we believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need and essential to our health and well-being. We're committed to creating more places that bring us outside—parks, trails, playgrounds, and public lands—and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere, regardless of ZIP code. We also understand that land has meaning; it tells the story of our history. That's why, through our Black History and Culture initiative, we're working to preserve sites that more fully represent the Black American experience; and we're an ally and partner to Tribal and Indigenous communities, working in partnership to reconnect them with their ancestral lands.

One hundred million people, including 28 million children, don't have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of their home. We're determined to change this outdoor equity gap–and as a result, nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. We're inclusive change-makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature. Join us!

Who you are:
You believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need–not a luxury for just a few. When you hear about the outdoor equity gap, you want to roll up your sleeves and fix that. If you’re convinced that smiles get wider outdoors and that nature is vital to our health and well-being, then you’ll fit right in with our TPL team. We’re seeking individuals whose resolve is strengthened when met with injustices and challenges. We’re looking for people who are united in the conviction that experiences in nature build relationships and keep us healthy. Since 1972, we’ve grown into a community that’s rooted in our five shared values: belonging, creativity, collaboration, impact, and hope.

Position Summary:
TPL Ohio seeks a Senior Project Manager I to direct conservation priorities that align with TPL’s national mission and fulfill local priorities outlined in our local work plan. The core responsibility of this role will be to manage transactions to secure trail corridors and protect land, creating equitable close to home access to nature and the outdoors across the state of Ohio.

TPL’s conservation priorities in this region include working with private landowners, public stakeholders and related environmental groups who share our interest in improving the health of Ohio’s natural assets and water resources.

To accomplish this goal, S/He will be expected to maintain our standard for equitable, community centered mission fulfillment by drawing on TPL’s expertise in technology and outreach to help communities plan their conservation goals, and using our finance, legal, and transaction expertise to accomplish them.

The Senior Project Manager I is a key member of The Trust for Public Land’s Ohio 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.

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. 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.
Work in partnership with the Ohio State Director to broaden TPL’s visibility in market by projecting TPL as a vested conservation leader and subject matter expert on conservation real estate transactions.
Work in partnership with Ohio Philanthropy staff to engage current and emerging Ohio donors to source philanthropic support of TPL’s transactions and broader conservation work, and work with other TPL staff to support fundraising in the public and private sectors.
Function as a front-facing figure on TPL’s DEI priorities by seeking land conservation projects that represent value impact opportunities to elevate TPL’s national initiatives: Black History and Culture Initiative and Indigenous Communities.
Other relevant duties as necessary.

Interaction with Others

Interacts with external professionals who 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 preferred.
Minimum of 5-7 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 be expected.

Special Knowledge & 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.
Demonstrated success managing key Ohio stakeholder relationships in conservation. Experience with National Park Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife is a plus.
Familiarity with key Ohio conservation funding programs. Proven experience with the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program and Ohio EPA – Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program is a plus.
Active member in local and statewide professional conservation organizations (preferred).
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.

Compensation:
Trust for Public Land is a hybrid work environment, and this role will ideally be located near a Trust for Public Land office. As a regular, full-time, exempt employee, you will be eligible for the Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and sick pay plus holidays, a year end office closure, and a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $95,000 - $125,000 (commensurate with experience).

Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.