Careers

In addition to the challenge of world-changing work, would you like to work with brilliant colleagues in a stimulating and supportive working environment? Interact with a board of directors that is staffed and led by some of the region’s strongest business leaders? Receive an aggressive compensation package that far outpaces what people typically earn in the nonprofit sector? Work from home? Then you won’t want to miss out on this phenomenal opportunity!

Sequoia Riverlands Trust is recruiting a Chief Investment and Partnership Officer to join their team in Visalia, CA. In this role, you will serve as a leading spokesperson and ambassador for Sequoia Riverlands Trust and lock elbows with the Executive Director, the Executive Leadership Team, and the Board of Directors to achieve the organization's ambitious growth goals.

This opportunity is hands down one of the most exciting and important leadership positions open in the global environmental sustainability movement today. Sequoia Riverlands Trust (sequoiariverlands.org) seeks applications from proven leaders in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, business development and entrepreneurial growth to join its C-suite as the organization’s first Chief Investments and Partnerships Officer.

If you are passionate about conservation and making an impact, learn more and submit your resume today at https://careers-anothersource.icims.com/jobs/101003/chief-investments-and-partnerships-officer-sequoia-riverlands-trust/job.

OVERVIEW
The Chief Investment & Partnership Officer (CIPO) will serve as a leading spokesperson and ambassador for Sequoia Riverlands Trust.  S/he will lock elbows with the Executive Director, the executive leadership team, and the Board of Directors to achieve the organization's ambitious growth goals. This role is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with a regional and national portfolio of current and prospective corporate, philanthropic and sustainability partners to drive Sequoia Riverlands Trust’s growth and impact. The CIPO will immediately begin a seven-figure fundraising round and, in parallel, build out a team of dedicated professionals to staff the Investments and Partnerships business unit, one that will engage increasing numbers of individuals, foundations, corporations, government agencies, and leading institutions and NGOs to solicit and secure their investment of partnership, expertise and financial support. 

Specifically, this position will initiate contacts with potential investors of $25,000 and above; develop and deploy individualized cultivation strategies which harness the full range of Sequoia Riverlands Trust’s people and programs; develop solicitation and closure strategies; deliver ongoing, and personal reporting regarding any and all investments made; and take lead responsibility for developing the infrastructure, staffing and operations of Sequoia Riverlands Trust’s Office of Investments & Partnerships to meet the requirements of the organization’s ambitious business plan.

ABOUT SEQUOIA RIVERLANDS TRUST
Sequoia Riverlands Trust is a regional nonprofit land trust focused on the Tulare Basin, which comprises the southern San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills of Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties, with additional conservation projects in 5 other California counties. We are accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, and our mission to conserve the lands and waters of California’s heartland is supported by our ambitious programs in conservation easements (habitat and farmland), land stewardship, restoration, conservation outreach, and education.

We envision a future in which a network of protected natural and working lands thrives in the region we serve, with business, agriculture, and society aligned around sustainable land and water management practices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• In close partnership with the Executive Director, coordinates the development and revision of the organization’s business plan and executive dashboard, including articulating organization-wide goals; strategies; milestones; metrics; financial strategy; and staffing and budget projections. 
• Works closely with the Executive Director and leadership team to engage the Board of Directors to capture their input and feedback on the business plan and capture feedback and drive revisions around financial projections and the dashboard. 
• Shares the organization’s business plan and other key organizational documents with key stakeholders around the world for their advice and feedback.  
• Serves as a liaison in support of the outreach, advocacy and relationship building efforts of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director to a carefully identified set of influential leaders in the philanthropy, corporate leadership, government, nonprofit, and community leadership and advocacy spaces. 
• Directly oversees a portfolio of approximately 150 current and prospective financial supporters. Ensures that each individual in the portfolio receives continuous, personalized attention and ongoing engagement in furtherance of that individual’s relationship with and support of Sequoia Riverlands Trust. On average, conducts a minimum of one and an optimum of three personal contacts with current and prospective supporters each business day. 
• Ensures direct, efficient, responsive and personalized support for each Sequoia Riverlands Trust Board Member to support that Board Member’s work to establish and build strong and productive relationships with current and prospective partners and investors.  
• Develop and oversee the operation of the Office of Investments & Partnerships, including the recruitment, training and supervision of future staff including Directors, Assistant Directors, coordinators, support staff, vendors and contractors, and others involved with marketing, communication, and outreach. 
• Ensures that every financial supporter receives personalized, face-to-face follow up reports that explains the use of the funding and the benefits created. Before these reports are generated, each individual will be consulted on the means of reporting that are most suitable and helpful for each. 
• Ensures that database protocols and procedures are comprehensive, best practice, and executed with discipline and accuracy. Ensure the donor database is continuously updated so that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and appropriately organized. 
• Oversees the production and distribution of projections and results to ensure the organization is on track to meet goals. 
• Statement of Ethics – takes lead responsibility to ensure that each member of the Investments and Partnerships Office, the Executive Director and other relevant executive staff, and all members of the Board of Directors read and discuss, at minimum once annually, the AFP Code of Ethics and ensure that each individual engages with the concepts and adheres closely to these principles and practices. 
• Leads the development and implementation of Investments and Partnerships Office planning efforts, including policies and procedures, and implementation of goals.

SUPERVISION
The Chief Investments and Partnerships Officer reports directly to the Executive Director.

REQUIRED SKILLS and ATTRIBUTES
• College degree; advanced degree preferred; outstanding academic record
• 5+ years’ successful experience with nonprofit leadership, board governance, individual and corporate fundraising, business strategy, team building, organizational development and performance enhancement
• Exceptional interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated record of successful team building and staff supervision, including
o Ability to establish rapport with variety of personalities among SRT staff, consultants/contractors, volunteers and other partners
o Ability to organize information and schedules, and to juggle multiple projects
o Ability to clearly communicate priorities and performance expectations to team members

• Record of outstanding professional achievement
• Highly tuned listening skills
• Confidence, professionalism, and passion for the mission to conserve the lands and waters of California’s heartland
• Strong empathy & perseverance; highest integrity and ethical standards; optimistic, positive, and charismatic disposition
• Proficient in computer skills including word processing, electronic mail, record keeping, spreadsheets, and routine database management, including Microsoft and Google Office suites
• Ability to publicly represent SRT with external partners, including serving on external committees and boards as requested by the Executive Director/CEO
• Ability to collaborate to advance SRT’s mission and vision among a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, including volunteers, agency personnel, clients, landowners, ranchers, consultants, and contractors.

DESIRED SKILLS and ATTRIBUTES
• Experience working in diverse communities and cultural contexts
• Familiarity with spoken/written Spanish

WORK SETTING AND CONDITIONS
The position is based at SRT’s headquarters in Visalia, California, a city of about 130,000 residents in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The region has a Mediterranean climate, with cool, moist winters and hot, dry summers. SRT’s preserves and conservation easements are distributed over nine counties, including lands in the foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley and in the Carrizo Plain area. The specific work conditions of this position are as follows:
• Well-lighted, heated, and air-conditioned indoor office with moderate noise
• Option for hybrid home-office schedule at Executive Director’s discretion
• Physical Demands
o Ability to lift up to 10 pounds
o Manual dexterity sufficient to reach and handle items, work with fingers and perceive attributes of objects and materials; ability to stand, walk, sit, and reach
• Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature, using close vision
• At times, be outdoors in all weather conditions
• Work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with some additional hours including weekends

COMPENSATION
This position offers an annual salary between $112,000 and $138,000 for new employees. Benefits include an employer matched retirement, health insurance program, and generous paid time off.

OTHER NOTES
• Candidates MUST be able to pass a background check
• Top candidates may be asked to provide samples of their work that demonstrate their ability to fulfill the requirements of this position
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves to right to revise or amend duties at any time.
• Staff members are expected to consciously and continuously promote the mission, values, programs, and impact of the organization when presented with opportunities for
participating in membership development and reaching out to personal connections on behalf of SRT.

HOW TO APPLY
Submit application at https://careers-anothersource.icims.com/jobs/101003/chief-investments-and-partnerships-officer-sequoia-riverlands-trust/job

For more information, please visit www.sequoiariverlands.org. Sequoia Riverlands Trust is an equal opportunity employer. Our practices support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in our workforce.