Executive Director

Frenchman Bay Conservancy

Opening posted: 05/18/2026 | Expires: 06/19/2026

Executive Director
Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC) seeks a dynamic and strategic Executive Director to lead one of Maine’s premier land trusts. Following a successful capital campaign and strategic planning process that have strengthened FBC’s financial position and expanded its impact, the organization is poised for thoughtful growth and even deeper community engagement. The next Executive Director will build on this momentum—guiding FBC to advance its mission while sustaining the trust, partnerships, and stewardship that define its work.

About Frenchman Bay Conservancy
Frenchman Bay Conservancy is a nationally accredited nonprofit land trust dedicated to conserving and stewarding the distinctive landscapes, ecosystems, and working lands of Downeast Maine. Since its founding in 1987, FBC has protected more than 25,000 acres across eastern Hancock County, including forests, wetlands, shorelines, and working waterfronts. Through conservation, stewardship, and community engagement, FBC works to ensure these lands and waters support both ecological health and local livelihoods, fostering lasting connections between people and place.

Position Summary
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the strategic, operational, and public facing leader of Frenchman Bay Conservancy. Responsible for guiding the organization through its next phase of growth while maintaining its strong community foundation, the ED will work in close partnership with the Board of Directors to translate strategic priorities into action, ensure financial strength, and lead a high-performing, collaborative team. The ED is also the primary ambassador for FBC—cultivating relationships with donors, partners, and community stakeholders—while balancing organizational growth with mission integrity, long-term stewardship, and deep community trust. This role requires a balance of big-picture vision and day-to-day leadership: steering fundraising and donor relationships, strengthening financial and operational rigor, and fostering a collaborative, inclusive culture that empowers staff while connecting their work to board governance and community impact. The role is a wonderful opportunity for a passionate leader, committed to conservation in rural Maine to create lasting impact on the region, its people and environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Advancement

Partner with the Board and senior staff to implement FBC’s strategic plan, set organizational priorities, and evaluate progress
Balance organizational growth with mission alignment, community needs, and long-term sustainability
Provide clear, forward-looking leadership that integrates diverse perspectives into actionable plans

Fundraising & External Relations

Oversee major fundraising efforts, including principal and major six-figure and higher gifts, foundations, and public funding
Serve as an ambassador for FBC, strengthening relationships with donors, partners, and community stakeholders
Build and sustain FBC’s reputation as a trusted, collaborative conservation leader

Operations & Financial Management

Ensure strong financial stewardship, including budgeting, reporting, cash flow and long-term financial planning
Oversee organizational operations, compliance, and risk management
Maintain the systems and discipline needed to support a growing and complex organization

Team Leadership & Organizational Culture

Lead, support, and develop a high-performing staff, including a strong senior leadership team
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven culture
Connect and align staff and board to ensure clarity, accountability, and shared purpose

Board Partnership & Governance

Maintain a strong, transparent partnership with the Board and Board leadership
Support board development, engagement, and effective governance practices
Provides information, reports and support for Board decision making
Collaborate with board members on strategic initiatives and fundraising

Community Engagement & Conservation Leadership

Build authentic relationships across diverse communities, including local residents and working waterfront stakeholders
Strengthen partnerships with conservation organizations, government agencies, and regional leaders
Guide high-level decision-making on land conservation priorities in alignment with organizational capacity and mission
Embrace the complexity and uniqueness of place-based work, including a willingness to deeply engage with trails, rivers, bogs, beaches and the people who care about them

Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a strategic and mission-driven leader who brings both vision and execution to their work. They have a demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, foster a collaborative and inclusive organizational culture, and effectively partner with a board of directors. A compelling communicator and relationship builder, they are experienced in fundraising and financial stewardship, and are comfortable serving as the public face of an organization.

This leader is a strong listener and thoughtful decision-maker who can synthesize diverse perspectives into clear, actionable direction. They bring sound judgment, operational discipline, and the ability to balance growth with long-term sustainability. A genuine appreciation for conservation and community is essential, as is a commitment to living and engaging in rural Maine, with the patience and authenticity required to build lasting relationships across a diverse set of stakeholders.
Required Qualifications

Proven senior management experience leading a nonprofit entity
8–10+ years managing team and organizational operations, experience providing direct staff supervision
Demonstrated success in private and institutional fundraising, including six and seven-figure gifts, and donor relationship management
Experience overseeing nonprofit budgets, financial planning, and organizational performance
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, and stakeholder engagement
Experience working effectively with a board of directors

Preferred Qualifications

Significant experience in land conservation, environmental nonprofit work, or a related field
Familiarity with rural communities, Indigenous populations or other underrepresented groups, and place-based work
Understanding of land trust operations, stewardship, and/or conservation finance
Experience leading organizations through growth or strategic transition
Experience overseeing grant applications and procuring funding from foundations, corporations and government agencies.
Experience with social media to drive engagement and fundraising a plus

Location: Hancock, Maine US

Salary: $100,000-$115,000

Benefits: FBC offers competitive benefits including health, dental, vision and retirement with generous employer contributions; paid time off including three weeks of vacation, a one week office closure, and 15 paid holidays; a flexible and creative work environment combining in-office and remote work days; and ongoing professional development support.

Application Instructions
Please submit a resume and cover letter to by June 15, 2026. References and a writing sample will be sought from candidates who advance to a final interview.

Frenchman Bay Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.