Minnesota State Director

The Minnesota State Director leads, manages and mentors field staff, partners with national program staff and works in close collaboration with the Minnesota Director of Philanthropy to raise the funds needed to both support and grow Minnesota programs, projects and associated operations. The Minnesota State Director develops relationships and works with major donors, local Advisory Board members, elected officials, citizen leaders, business leaders and non-profit partners to enhance the success of TPL’s mission delivery in the Minnesota office and all of its program.

The Trust for Public Land's initiatives in Minnesota, and beyond, encompasses a broad spectrum, from entry points to the iconic BWCAW in Northern Minnesota to park creation work in some of the most historically marginalized neighborhoods of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. This Minnesota State Director is responsible for implementing TPL’s National Strategic Plan in this landscape and continually developing, implementing and evolving local programmatic initiatives that deliver on TPL’s mission of creating parks and protecting land for people, ensuring healthy, viable communities for generations to come.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

35%       Philanthropy:  Funding support for the Minnesota office and programs it carries out is derived primarily from private philanthropic dollars.  The State Director will work in close coordination with local and national TPL philanthropy staff to cultivate and solicit major gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations.  The State Director will work in partnership with philanthropy staff to create and implement a fundraising plan.  Working with local philanthropy staff leadership, the State Director will manage the local Advisory Board, and serve as the primary face of TPL in the donor community.

25%       Program Development and Management:  The State Director will be responsible for directing staff and working with program partners, both public and private, to carry out the work throughout Minnesota. This includes evaluating new project and program opportunities in conservation vision, conservation finance, conservation real estate, park design and development, and national programs like Climate Smart Cities, green infrastructure, and health among others.  In all of this work, the development and maintenance of positive relationships with key public and non-profit partners, as well as major donors will be paramount.  This position collaborates with senior leadership, finance and volunteer leaders in developing and implementing strategies that achieve mission delivery goals, and are compelling and financially viable.

15%       Management/Administration:  The State Director is responsible for supervising staff who report to her/him/they, and for creating a positive working environment for the entire office, strong staff morale and a culture of teamwork and mutual support among all staff, including philanthropy staff who do not report to the Director.  The State Director is responsible for working with the finance team to develop the office budget and taking necessary actions to meet or exceed the targets and maintain a work climate which attracts, retains and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people.

25%       External Relations: The State Director will be expected to represent TPL and build the organization’s visibility throughout region.  This includes establishing sound working relationships with public officials and staff civic leaders, partner non-profits, the media, the donor community and others.

Critical Success Factors:

Within the first year, the successful candidate will have:

• Mastered a learning curve of TPL to effectively assume management of the future of the Minnesota Program.  This includes an understanding of our Strategic Plan and the national strategies of TPL, and embracing a role in fundraising.
• Built external relationships with our partners, especially members of the Advisory Board, civic organizations, and governmental entities at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Worked in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy to develop a top 25 list of major donors with a strong emphasis on individuals.  The State Director will be the natural partner for these donors.
• Worked within TPL and with partners to develop specific programs that represent Minnesota’s unique contribution to the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.
• Communicated effectively with the Advisory Board and volunteer leaders – providing all information necessary to function properly and to inspire their active engagement and support of local and national activities.
• Enhanced our image by being active and visible in the community.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree required. An advanced degree preferred.
• At least 5 years’ experience in an organization focused on public urban work and/or land conservation.
• At least 8 years of relevant non-profit work experience or the equivalent, including at least 5 years of staff management experience.  Experience serving as an Executive Director preferred, or other positions of leadership.
• Demonstrated experience working with under-served communities and communities of color.
• Experience with interfacing with and effectively engaging diverse groups (staff, volunteers, stakeholders, politicians, agency partners, etc.)
• Extensive experience working with fund raisers, raising mission support from public and private sources
• Experience with public finance techniques, government funding practices and procedures, the foundation community, fundraising, marketing practices, best management practices and budgeting practices.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, energy, the capacity to lead, mentor and inspire others, the capacity to be both a high performer and a team player, common sense and a sense of humor.
• Excellent communication skills including writing and public speaking.
• An ability and willingness to travel as required and to work flexible hours outside a 9-5 schedule.
• A passionate commitment to The Trust for Public Land’s mission of creating parks and protecting land for people.
• A commitment to TPL’s shared values of Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope

As a 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, holidays, and a 403(b) retirement plan, currently with an up to 5.5% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the range for this position is $125,000-$140,000 annually.

The 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 and experiences.

Please apply online: https://www.tpl.org/about/jobs/minnesota-state-director