Executive Director

Barnstable Land Trust seeks an entrepreneurial and mission-driven Executive Director to lead and grow a dynamic land conservation and stewardship organization.

Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) strives to meet the open space needs of the community it serves through land conservation, land stewardship that improves conservation value, and encouraging public access to, and engagement, in nature. Founded in 1983, Barnstable Land Trust has conserved over 1,275 acres of land and commits to stewardship of those lands in perpetuity.

In the last ten years, BLT has embarked on a mission to “grow into the organization our community needs us to be.” This direction led to the conservation of 23 properties comprising 200 acres of land, 5 new trails, a doubling of active volunteers and members, and a dramatic increase in public programs, all supported by a tripling of staff and budget.

The staff is made up of high-performing, self-motivated practitioners who are extremely knowledgeable in their fields of expertise. A major capital campaign launched in 2025 has provided the support to respond creatively to the needs of the community, including saving a 10-acre golf course and purchasing a 25-acre cranberry bog for wetland restoration and recreation.

BLT works primarily in Barnstable, a town of 45,000 year-round residents and another 100,000 seasonal residents. The Town of Barnstable includes many of Cape Cod’s most important and vulnerable ecosystems, such as the Barnstable Great Marsh and Sandy Neck, along with its largest and most urban center, Hyannis. BLT has a staff of 11, mostly part-time employees, 4 buildings, and an annual budget of $1 million.

The Executive Director will have the opportunity to leverage a strong donor base, engaged members, a talented staff, a dedicated board, and momentum from the recent capital campaign, to increase BLT’s impact.

With a strong foundation, deep credibility, and a passionate team, BLT is ready for a leader who can champion land conservation, ensure land stewardship improves public access and increases conservation value, and provide a model for leadership across the region. If you are driven by impact, collaboration, and care deeply about nature and community, this is a compelling leadership opportunity.

• With Board, staff, and stakeholders, develop a strategic plan to guide the organization.
• Oversee land conservation staff to bring on new projects, negotiate deals, structure funding, and manage technical consultants.
• Oversee land stewardship staff to support volunteer management and ecological improvement on properties.
• Promote new approaches to conservation and stewardship to increase impact.
• Lead and engage the Board, staff, and donors in advancing the organization’s strategic goals.
• Oversee revenue generation across major gifts, grants, membership, and fee‑for‑service programs.
• Support and help initiate innovation in BLT’s fundraising and membership efforts.
• Guide the development team to build on relationships cultivated during the 2025 capital campaign and expand philanthropic support.
• Collaborate with staff and Board to align programs and initiatives with funding opportunities.

• Serve as a visible and credible representative of BLT to members, funders, agencies, and the broader community.
• Serve as BLT’s primary public spokesperson, delivering presentations to members, partners, media, and in advocacy settings such as before Town Council and the Cape Cod Commission.
• Maintain and grow relationships with Town staff and elected officials, nonprofit partners, and members by listening well, responding promptly, and consistently representing BLT’s mission.
• Participate in key sector convenings and strengthen BLT’s role as a collaborative voice and connector among partners.

• Ensure the implementation of the mission and strategic plan.
• Support a strong staff team by fostering a healthy, inclusive, and results‑oriented culture.
• Lead with clarity, empathy, and accountability in a small team setting, empowering staff to do their best work and creating…