Managing Director

Position Summary

The Montana Land Reliance (MLR) is seeking a Managing Director to serve as an executive-level leader focused on fundraising, donor engagement, public policy and advocacy, and landowner relationships. This role is one of three Managing Directors and is intentionally external-facing, with primary responsibility for building philanthropic support, strengthening trust with landowners, and representing MLR with key partners, funders, and decision-makers. The Managing Director plays a hands‑on role in major gift fundraising and donor stewardship, actively managing donor and landowner relationships and participating directly in solicitation efforts.

This position is expected to translate strong, long-term relationships into durable conservation outcomes that advance MLR’s mission. In addition, the Managing Director serves as a senior advocate for private working lands conservation, engaging directly in state and federal policy arenas. This includes working with Montana state agencies and the Legislature, federal agencies, national conservation and agricultural partners, and members of Congress to advance policies, funding programs, and incentives that support landowners and working lands conservation.

The role requires the ability to represent MLR effectively in complex policy discussions and elevate landowner perspectives in both Montana and national policy conversations. This role is well suited for a relationship-driven leader who is comfortable initiating conversations, asking for support, and serving as a visible and credible ambassador for private working lands conservation.

MLR is an accredited, nonprofit land trust that partners with private landowners to permanently protect Montana’s agricultural lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and open space. Since 1978, MLR has helped more than 1,000 families conserve over 1.4 million acres of working lands, wildlife habitat, and open space across the state. MLR runs like a business and is one of the most focused and efficient land trusts in the country.

The lasting benefits of MLR’s work are the perpetuation of a lifestyle and an economy that relies on responsibly managed private land and increasingly valuable Montana open spaces that will continue to nourish the spirit of future generations. To learn more, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• Maintain and actively manage a personal portfolio of major donors and prospective donors, including regular in-person meetings, calls, and stewardship touchpoints.
• Co‑lead major gift solicitations in coordination with the Philanthropy Director, including preparing ask strategies, proposal content, and follow‑up.
• Secure philanthropic support through direct donor engagement, foundation relationships, and targeted campaigns tied to conservation priorities.
• Participate directly in planned giving cultivation, including identifying prospects, initiating conversations, and coordinating with advisors as appropriate.
• Represent MLR in donor meetings, site visits, events, and cultivation opportunities statewide and nationally.
• Contribute to annual fundraising planning and revenue forecasting, with clear accountability for assigned fundraising targets.

• Serve as a senior organizational representative in strategic public policy and advocacy efforts that advance private working lands conservation, conservation easement programs, public and private funding mechanisms, and landowner incentives.
• Engage directly with Montana state agencies, the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, congressional offices, and relevant federal agencies to advocate for policies and programs that support landowners and conservation outcomes.
• Represent MLR in national policy forums, coalitions, and partner organizations, elevating Montana landowner perspectives in federal policy discussions and funding decisions.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with policymakers, agency leadership, conservation and agricultural partners, and industry stakeholders to support long‑term conservation capacity.
• Coordinate closely with the Landowner…