Director, Land Management

The Appalachian Mountain Club is a nonprofit organization focused on fostering the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. Through its extensive landholdings and conservation programs, including the Maine Woods Initiative, AMC works at the intersection of conservation, recreation, and science to address climate change and protect the Northeast’s natural resources.

This position aligns both paid and unpaid staff to move AMC’s mission and four strategic priorities:   

• Inspire joyous, meaningful outdoor experiences
• Protect critical landscapes for the well-being of people and the outdoors
• Cultivate and sustain a robust, welcoming community
• Foster access to the outdoors

The Director of Land Management is responsible for the strategic oversight, stewardship, and operational management of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) landholdings across five states, including the Maine Woods Initiative (MWI), which is 130,000 acres within the Maine 100-Mile Wilderness. This role leads the development and implementation of integrated land management strategies that advance AMC’s Forest management, easement compliance, conservation, recreation, research, and climate goals.

Reporting to the Vice President of jobshiringnearme.org, the Director will oversee multidisciplinary teams responsible for forest management, infrastructure, public access, ecological stewardship, and land-based operations. The role requires strong leadership, cross-functional coordination, and the ability to align on-the-ground management with AMC’s broader organizational strategy and external partnerships.

Based in Maine, this role requires regular travel across AMC’s landholdings throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, including fieldwork in remote and rugged environments. Occasional evening and weekend commitments are required to support partner engagement and events. An AMC vehicle is provided for all field-based travel.

What You Will Be Doing at AMC

Strategic Land Management Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive land management strategy across AMC’s regional land portfolio (ME, NH, MA, NY, NJ or applicable footprint).
• Integrate forest management, conservation science, recreation access, and climate/carbon objectives into unified land stewardship plans.
• Ensure alignment with AMC’s conservation priorities, including the Maine Woods Initiative and broader regional impacts.
• Oversee easement and certification compliance with AMC’s landownership, forest certification, and carbon sales.
• Lead land acquisition work to further AMC’s conservation goals near its ownership through the acquisition of inholdings and abutting properties where and when applicable

Maine Woods Initiative (MWI) Oversight

• Provide senior leadership for land management operations across AMC’s MWI properties.
• Support implementation of sustainable forestry, habitat conservation, watershed protection, and public access programs.
• Coordinate with research, policy, and partnership teams to advance MWI as a national model for conservation and working lands.
• Oversee a team of natural resource professionals stewarding this key conservation asset of the AMC
• Act as a liaison between external stakeholders, key AMC partners, and regional coalitions

Operational and Program Management

• Oversee day-to-day land management operations, including:
  • Forest and habitat management
  • Infrastructure (roads, bridges, and rec infrastructure, buildings)
  • Public access and recreation management
  • Land protection compliance (easements, certifications, regulatory requirements)
• Establish and monitor performance metrics for land stewardship outcomes.
• Ensure effective use of contractors, vendors, and internal staff resources.
• Oversee relationships with Forest Management contractors like Huber Resources Corporation in the management of MWI.

Team Leadership and Organizational Development

• Lead and manage a team of land managers, foresters, and operations staff across multiple states.
• Build staff capacity, establish clear accountability structures, and support professional development.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with other jobshiringnearme.org division leads including the Director of Policy, Director of Trails, and the Director of Research to integrate land-based work into AMC’s broader mission.
• Support fundraising, donor engagement, and grant development by articulating the impact of land management programs.
• Collaborate on research initiatives, including academic partnerships (e.g., field station development) in conjunction with the Research team.

External Relations and Partnerships

• Represent AMC in regional land management forums, state agencies, and partnerships.
• Maintain strong relationships with regulators, local communities, industry partners, and conservation organizations.
• Support development of strategic partnerships that enhance land stewardship outcomes.

Financial Oversight

• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for land management programs.
• Ensure financial discipline and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiencies and revenue generation (e.g., timber, carbon, grants).

Qualifications

What AMC Is Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in land management, forestry, or conservation operations.
• Be a licensed Maine Forester or the Ability to obtain a license, exceptions may be considered with strong qualifications.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, multi-state land portfolios or equivalent complexity.
• Strong leadership and team management experience across distributed teams.
• advanced knowledge of forest management, conservation planning, and land stewardship best practices.
• Experience with regulatory frameworks, certification systems (e.g., FSC), and conservation easement frameworks
• Land acquisition and transaction experience
• Experience with working forest conservation models, carbon markets, or climate-focused land management.
• Familiarity with the Northern Forest region and Maine working forest landscape.
• Experience integrating research, recreation, and conservation objectives on large landscapes.
• Strong background in partnership development and external representation.