Director, Land Management

About the role

The Director of Land Management is responsible for the strategic oversight, stewardship, and operational management of the Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) landholdings across five states, including the Maine Woods Initiative (MWI), which is 130,000 acres within the Maine 100-Mile Wilderness.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive land management strategy across AMC’s regional land portfolio (ME, NH, MA, NY, NJ or applicable footprint).
• Integrate forest management, conservation science, recreation access, and climate/carbon objectives into unified land stewardship plans.
• Ensure alignment with AMC’s conservation priorities, including the Maine Woods Initiative and broader regional impacts.
• Oversee easement and certification compliance with AMC’s landownership, forest certification, and carbon sales.
• Provide senior leadership for land management operations across AMC’s MWI properties.
• Support implementation of sustainable forestry, habitat conservation, watershed protection, and public access programs.
• Coordinate with research, policy, and partnership teams to advance MWI as a national model for conservation and working lands.
• Oversee a team of natural resource professionals stewarding this key conservation asset of the AMC.
• Act as a liaison between external stakeholders, key AMC partners, and regional coalitions.
• Oversee day-to-day land management operations, including:
• Forest and habitat management
• Infrastructure (roads, bridges, and rec infrastructure, buildings)
• Public access and recreation management
• Land protection compliance (easements, certifications, regulatory requirements)
• Establish and monitor performance metrics for land stewardship outcomes.
• Ensure effective use of contractors, vendors, and internal staff resources.
• Oversee relationships with Forest Management contractors like Huber Resources Corporation in the management of MWI.
• Lead and manage a team of land managers, foresters, and operations staff across multiple states.
• Build staff capacity, establish clear accountability structures, and support professional development.
• Partner with other Conservation division leads including the Director of Policy, Director of Trails, and the Director of Research to integrate land-based work into AMC’s broader mission.
• Support fundraising, donor engagement, and grant development by articulating the impact of land management programs.
• Collaborate on research initiatives, including academic partnerships (e.g., field station development) in conjunction with the Research team.
• Represent AMC in regional land management forums, state agencies, and partnerships.
• Maintain strong relationships with regulators, local communities, industry partners, and conservation organizations.
• Support development of strategic partnerships that enhance land stewardship outcomes.
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for land management programs.
• Ensure financial discipline and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiencies and revenue generation (e.g., timber, carbon, grants).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in land management, forestry, or conservation operations.
• Be a licensed Maine Forester or the Ability to obtain a license, exceptions may be considered with strong qualifications.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, multi-state land portfolios or equivalent complexity.
• Strong leadership and team management experience across distributed teams.
• Advanced knowledge of forest management, conservation planning, and land stewardship best practices.
• Experience with regulatory frameworks, certification systems (e.g., FSC), and conservation easement frameworks.
• Land acquisition and transaction experience.
• Experience with working forest conservation models, carbon markets, or climate-focused land management.
• Familiarity with the Northern Forest region and Maine working forest landscape.
• Experience integrating research, recreation, and conservation objectives on large landscapes.
• Strong background in partnership development and external representation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in land management, forestry, or conservation operations.
• Be a licensed Maine Forester or the Ability to obtain a license, exceptions may be considered with strong qualifications.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, multi-state land portfolios or equivalent complexity.
• Strong leadership and team management experience across distributed teams.
• Advanced knowledge of forest management, conservation planning, and land stewardship best practices.
• Experience with regulatory frameworks, certification systems (e.g., FSC), and conservation easement frameworks.
• Land acquisition and transaction experience.
• Experience with working forest conservation models, carbon markets, or climate-focused land management.
• Familiarity with the Northern Forest region and Maine working forest landscape.
• Experience integrating research, recreation, and conservation objectives on large landscapes.
• Strong background in partnership development and external representation.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

• Health Plan: Generous employer contributions through Cigna with optional vision and dental.
• Other Insurance: 100% employer paid life insurance, AD&D insurance, long-term disability.
• Career Progression: The potential to have annual compensation reviews commensurate with performance and effort.
• Retirement: Mandatory 403(b) with 4% matching employer contributions and a vesting schedule.
• Paid Time Off: up to 4 weeks of paid earned time and up to 11 paid company holidays.
• Team Member Perks: 30% discount on AMC Merchandise, Free Annual AMC Membership, 10 Free nights at AMC locations, Educational Assistance, Prodeals discounts on equipment & gear and more!