American Farmland Trust - Mid-Atlantic Regional Director

Washington, D.C.

Description:

• American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food message. 
• Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of farmland and ranchland, and reduced development pressure on over 300 million additional acres. We have championed environmentally sound farming practices that are used on farms of all sizes across the nation and we've had a positive impact on over 500,000 farmers and ranchers.
• The Mid-Atlantic Regional Director (Director) position offers an exciting opportunity to help shape and carry out the strategic agenda of a growing, forward-looking conservation organization. The Director will provide strategic leadership for American Farmland Trust’s programs in the Mid-Atlantic Region, with an emphasis on Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
• The Director will report to the Vice President for Programs and have the option of working in AFT’s National Office in Washington, DC or at a home office in the region.  The Director will initially be responsible for managing two staff and a network of consultants and a budget of approximately $550,000 with substantial opportunities for growth in the future.

Duties:

• Primary responsibilities for the Mid-Atlantic Director will include:
• Programs
• Develop and lead programs to advance AFT’s mission to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land.  Of significance will be playing a leadership role in AFT’s programs focused on improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay while sustaining agricultural viability. 
• Work closely with the Vice President for Programs and National Initiative Leaders to adapt and integrate AFT’s national initiatives with opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic Region. 
• Build and manage relationships with external stakeholders including agriculture, food and public health, environment, economic development and other constituencies.
• Experience working with diverse communities of farmers, landowners and other stakeholders is preferred.
• Fundraising
• Play a leadership role in fundraising for AFT across the Mid-Atlantic Region.
• Coordinate with AFT’s development staff regarding individual and institutional fundraising strategy, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develop funding proposals and reports and completion of other activities within identified deadlines.
• Communications
• Work with AFT’s Communications staff to develop and implement strategies to raise the visibility of the organization’s programs in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
• Management and Administration
• Develop annual workplans and budgets for the Mid-Atlantic Region.
• Achieve goals identified in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Workplan and staff individual development plans. 
• Supervise and support a diverse team of AFT staff and consultants.
• Manage project budgets, financial statements and reports.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• The Director must be outgoing and energetic and have direct professional experience working with primary constituencies, such as farmers, landowners, public officials, agricultural and conservation organizations and land trusts.  The individual must have knowledge of agricultural stewardship and viability, farmland protection, and/or farmland access and farm transfer techniques, preferably in the Mid-Atlantic Region.  It is also strongly preferred that the Director have direct experience working with diverse communities of farmers and landowners such as farmers of color, beginning farmers and women landowners. 
• The Director must be entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and willing to work in a fast-paced work environment. The successful candidate will have work experience in developing programs as well as creating and executing effective fundraising strategies. Excellent communication skills (public presentation, phone, writing, partner relations) and creativity are essential. Facility with the Microsoft Office is required – additional computer skills preferred.
• A BA or BS degree and a minimum of 7 years of related work experience in public policy, planning, agriculture, land conservation or natural resource planning. Or, 5 years of related work experience with an advanced degree in one or more of the disciplines noted.
• Understanding of effective fundraising with individual and institutional funding partners.
• Previous experience with supervising staff and consultants, including from remote locations, is beneficial.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating projects and budgets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work independently and travel across the Mid-Atlantic Region. 

For more information, click here.