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.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
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
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.
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.
What You’ll Bring:
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.
Desired Qualifications:
Additional experience (5-7 years) in conservation, land stewardship, agriculture, or a related field.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally with a wide range of audiences, including staff, partners, and the public.
Salary Information:
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $81,000-$88,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring:
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
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. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
