OVERVIEW:
Wildlands Trust seeks a full-time Land Protection Manager (LPM) to help grow our organizational capacity to protect land throughout our 60-community service area in Southeastern Massachusetts. The LPM will initiate projects, build relationships with landowners and partners, and advance land protection transactions to completion. The individual will work as a member of a small, collaborative land protection team and report directly to the Director of Land Protection.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Initiate and cultivate relationships with landowners, conservation partners, and municipalities to identify potential projects.
- Oversee project due diligence working with surveyors, appraisers, LSPs, attorneys, and other service providers.
- Negotiate land conservation transactions, including gifts of land or conservation restrictions, bargain sales, and limited development projects.
- Work with other staff, board, and conservation partners to successfully complete projects.
- Provide education to landowners regarding conservation options.
- Manage logistics of multi-party real estate transactions, contracts, and budgets.
- Maintain detailed and accurate documentation.
- Participate in the fundraising necessary to complete conservation projects.
- Work with other staff to ensure that all land conservation transactions are adequately documented, including written reports, database management, and GIS maps.
- Seek opportunities to stay current and familiar with state-of-the-art legal, technical, and pragmatic best practices for conservation acquisitions of all kinds.
- Maintain working knowledge of current trends, developments, and activities occurring in the local, state, and national conservation communities.
- Attend outreach and fundraising functions, as necessary.
SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Five or more years’ experience in land conservation, conservation planning, real estate, or legal support.
- Bachelor’s Degree, at a minimum
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to convey complex concepts to a lay audience.
- Experience managing complex, multi-faceted, multi-partner projects.
- An ability to establish effective, close working relationships with a wide range of people and organizations.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and databases.
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for land conservation.
- Ability and willingness to work some evenings and weekends to attend meetings and events.
- Ability to work in a variety of terrains and weather.
- Ability to work independently, as well as with a team.
- Willingness to embrace and participate in a small-office culture where everyone chips in to help.
- Willing to perform other duties as assigned.
Schedule:
40 hours/week, typically Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm with occasional nights and weekends.
Location:
On site at the Wildlands Trust headquarters in Plymouth, MA. Some remote work may be accommodated by arrangement with supervisor.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary range is $67,000 – 76,000 annually. Compensation may be negotiable for candidates with more extensive experience.
Benefits include healthcare, dental, retirement account with employer match, flexible healthcare spending account with employer contribution, 13 paid holidays, and generous paid time off.
Staff housing may be available for eligible applicants.
To Apply:
Applications are due September 15, 2026. Send your resume, cover letter, and two references to Rachel Bruce, Chief of Staff: rbruce@wildlandstrust.org.
About Wildlands Trust:
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Wildlands Trust aims to create a thriving, inclusive workplace that values each member of our team and reflects and effectively serves the diverse communities of Southeastern Massachusetts.
Mission: Wildlands Trust works throughout Southeastern Massachusetts to permanently protect native habitats, farmland, and lands of high ecologic and scenic value that serve to keep our communities healthy and our residents connected to the natural world.
Vision: We envision a future where our region’s water and air are pure and open lands are abundant, with forests, farms, wetlands, fields, ponds and coastal areas commonplace sightings on our landscape.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Wildlands Trust is committed to protecting land and providing access to nature for the people of our region, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We will approach our work with complete respect for the cultures and perspectives of the communities we serve as we endeavor to connect and inspire all people to care about the natural world and the future of our planet.
History: Founded in 1973, Wildlands Trust is one of the largest and oldest regional land trusts in Massachusetts and has helped to ensure the protection of nearly 14,000 acres of natural and agricultural lands. Currently, we have ten full-time and four part-time staff carrying out the day-to-day activities of the organization. We also have interns, seasonal employees, and volunteers who assist us on a regular basis. Our Board of Directors is comprised of 17 committed individuals from the communities we serve.