General Manager

Berkeley Search Consultants•San Jose, CA

22d•Onsite

About The Position

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority seeks an exceptional leader to serve as its next General Manager. This is an opportunity to steward a mission that matters, lead an organization with an extraordinary public purpose, and help shape the future of Coyote Valley, one of California’s most important conservation landscapes. The Authority is a trusted government conservation leader, protecting open space, supporting agriculture, advancing habitat connectivity, improving public access, and building strong community partnerships. The next General Manager has the opportunity to strengthen organizational capacity, deepen partnerships, advance strategic conservation priorities, and position the Authority for long-term impact. The ideal candidate is a proven executive who has successfully led complex organizations, developed high-performing teams, and navigated the realities of public accountability. They are politically savvy without being political. They are collaborative without sacrificing accountability. They are visionary without losing sight of practical execution. This leader serves as one of several important ambassadors for the Authority, working alongside the Board of Directors, staff, community leaders, conservation partners, and stakeholders to advance the agency’s mission. They build trusted relationships with elected officials, funders, agricultural interests, partner organizations, and community members while ensuring that the Authority’s accomplishments, expertise, and impact are recognized as the work of the organization rather than any individual. Internally, they cultivate a culture characterized by trust, ownership, accountability, and shared leadership. They intentionally develop leadership throughout the organization, creating an environment where expertise is valued, decisions are informed by those closest to the work, and success is shared broadly. They understand that enduring organizations are built when leadership capacity exists at every level, not solely in the executive office. Most importantly, they bring a deep commitment to land protection and a genuine belief that protecting natural and working lands is among the most important responsibilities we hold for future generations. The next General Manager joins an organization with a strong reputation, meaningful accomplishments, dedicated employees, committed partners, and a mission that matters. The opportunity is to build upon that foundation and ensure the Open Space Authority continues to lead conservation efforts throughout the Santa Clara County for decades to come.

Requirements

Eight (8) years of experience serving as a General Manager, Executive Director, Deputy General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, or comparable senior executive role in a public land, parks or open space agency.
Five (5) years of experience in a broad combination of land acquisition, land management, and public access.
Experience working with governing bodies, public funding structures, grants, restricted funds, and elected officials.
Familiarity with California’s local government regulatory and land use policy environment, including CEQA, conservation funding programs, and regional conservation partnerships, is highly desirable.
Successfully strengthened organizational systems, improved financial infrastructure, enhanced operational effectiveness, developed leadership capacity, and built trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups while delivering measurable mission outcomes.
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with public policy, planning, resource management, natural sciences, or a related field.
Completion of a Live Scan.
Providing employment references.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree is desirable.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted government conservation leader, protecting open space, supporting agriculture, advancing habitat connectivity, improving public access, and building strong community partnerships.
Strengthen organizational capacity, deepen partnerships, advance strategic conservation priorities, and position the Authority for long-term impact.
Lead complex organizations and develop high-performing teams.
Navigate the realities of public accountability.
Serve as an ambassador for the Authority, working alongside the Board of Directors, staff, community leaders, conservation partners, and stakeholders to advance the agency’s mission.
Build trusted relationships with elected officials, funders, agricultural interests, partner organizations, and community members.
Ensure the Authority’s accomplishments, expertise, and impact are recognized as the work of the organization.
Cultivate a culture characterized by trust, ownership, accountability, and shared leadership.
Intentionally develop leadership throughout the organization.
Create an environment where expertise is valued, decisions are informed by those closest to the work, and success is shared broadly.
Build upon the existing foundation to ensure the Open Space Authority continues to lead conservation efforts throughout the Santa Clara County for decades to come.