Sunny Valley Preserve Director

The Nature Conservancy • New Milford, CT

6d • $81,000 - $88,000 • Onsite

About The Position

What We Can Achieve Together: The Sunny Valley Preserve Director leads the stewardship, operations, and public use of TNC’s Sunny Valley Preserve, ensuring the land, infrastructure, and visitor experience are managed safely and effectively, advancing TNC’s conservation goals and aligning with Land Trust Alliance Standards. This role is responsible for the day‑to-day and long‑term care of a complex, 1,850‑acre landscape of natural and working agricultural lands, and for translating conservation intent into on‑the-ground management. We’re Looking for You: The Sunny Valley Preserve Director is based at Sunny Valley Preserve in Bridgewater and New Milford, CT and oversees stewardship of an 1,850-acre portfolio of natural and working agricultural lands. The role leads land management, agricultural operations, infrastructure maintenance, and public access with the goals of ecological resilience, regenerative practices, and meaningful visitor engagement. The Director oversees a wide range of land and property management activities, including a large inventory of buildings, trails, and agricultural facilities; manages legal, safety, and reputational risk; and responds to complex or high‑risk situations as they arise. The role builds and maintains productive relationships with partners, neighbors, agencies, and community members, and communicates regularly with varied audiences about preserve management and priorities. The position reports to the Director of Land Management and collaborates closely to define strategies for the Preserve. This position requires residence in close proximity to Sunny Valley Preserve to manage emergencies. TNC housing is available on site.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience in conservation practice, land stewardship, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including coordinating staff, contractors, timelines, and budgets under changing conditions and deadlines.
• Supervisory experience, including hiring, motivating, and leading staff; setting clear expectations, and managing performance and safety.
• Experience working with external partners such as non-profit organizations, community groups, landowners, and/or government agencies.
• Experience navigating and negotiating complex or sensitive situations, including with tenants, partners, regulators, or the public.

Nice To Haves

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Experience working across cultures or communities; multilingual skills are a plus.
• Additional experience (5-7 years) in conservation, land stewardship, agriculture, or a related field.
• Experience contributing to or implementing conservation plans or management plans.
• Knowledge of current land management, agricultural, or ecological practices relevant to the region.
• Familiarity with conservation data, monitoring approaches, or stewardship standards.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally with a wide range of audiences, including staff, partners, and the public.
• Experience supporting fundraising or donor engagement through site-based work, storytelling, or partner relationships.
• Comfort navigating complex stakeholder environments with sound judgment and diplomacy.
• Experience using and maintaining commonly used land management equipment, tools and vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for stewardship and operations at a complex preserve that comprises multiple parcels and a large inventory of infrastructure, with work that requires coordination across boundaries and close collaboration with partners, agencies, lessees and internal teams.
• Land Stewardship and Natural Resource Management Lead and oversee comprehensive land stewardship activities across natural and agricultural systems to support conservation outcomes, ecological resilience, and safe public access.
• Apply ecological knowledge, field experience, and legal understanding to guide land management decisions, including interpretation of deeds, easements, and restrictions; habitat restoration; invasive species management; and oversight of tools, equipment, and vehicles required for safe operations.
• Oversee advanced aspects of land management, including permitting, insurance coordination, and flood, erosion, and climate‑related risk management.
• Agricultural Operations Oversee agricultural operations at Sunny Valley, including dairy management, soil health, forage crops, produce cultivation, and agricultural certifications.
• Guide both established and emerging agricultural practices, ensuring operations support conservation goals, regenerative outcomes, adaptive learning, and risk management requirements.
• Buildings and Infrastructure Oversee the maintenance, repair, and improvement of preserve infrastructure, including buildings an office, utilities, trails, bridges, fencing, and signage.
• Manage contractors and vendors, ensure compliance with safety and building standards, and support long‑term care of physical assets.
• Operations, Systems, and Administration Establish and maintain effective operational systems to support preserve management, including scheduling, procurement, contracts, leases, and budget oversight.
• Ensure resources are used efficiently while maintaining high standards of performance and safety.
• Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Communication Build and maintain strong relationships with community members, neighbors, partners, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Engage the public through site visits, meetings, presentations, and informal communication, and represent TNC professionally in local and regional forums.
• Lead and steward a legally obligated preserve advisory board.
• Risk Management and Complex Situations Manage complex, high‑risk, and sensitive situations involving legal issues, tenants, recreation, hunting, agriculture, public safety, and natural emergencies.
• Exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions based on experience, analysis, and context.
• Supervision and Safety Hire, supervise, and support staff, contractors, and volunteers engaged in field work, construction, and visitor services.
• Ensure safe working conditions and adherence to safety protocols across all preserve operations.

Benefits

• TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees