Executive Director, Land and Communities

Job Details: Level: Senior, Job Location: Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA, Position Type: Regular Full Time, Education Level: Graduate Degree, Salary Range: $188000.00 - $250000.00Salary, Travel Percentage: Up to 35%, Job Category: Program, About the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy 

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit, private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative, nonpartisan approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide. We organize our work around three impact areas: land and water; land and fiscal systems; and land and communities. We envision a world where cities and regions prosper and benefit from coordinated land use planning and public finance; where communities thrive from efficient and equitable allocation of limited land resources; and where stewardship of land and water resources ensures a livable future. We work globally, with locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; Phoenix, Arizona; and Beijing, China. 

The Land and Communities Impact Area

Through forward-looking land policies that prioritize public good over private profit, the Land and Communities impact area of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy helps leaders implement land policies that expand access to secure and affordable housing, mitigate climate change and facilitate adaptation, and create local/regional economies that work for everyone. Across the current Land & Communities programs—Housing and Land Policy, Urban Sustainability, and Remaking Local Economies—the team conducts timely and relevant research, builds networks to advance policy innovation, and strengthens the capacity of leaders to create change globally. The Executive Director will have considerable ability to shape and direct the impact area, consistent with the Lincoln Institute’s overall strategy.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the Executive Director (ED) of Land and Communities plays a senior leadership role at the Lincoln Institute, determining vision and strategy to foster prosperous, sustainable communities through cutting-edge land policy and land management. The ED defines desired outcomes for the Land and Communities impact area; collaborates with the C-suite and senior Program leadership to advance new opportunities; and guides development of new research, knowledge, practices, and other original content. The ED oversees fundraising and other programming resources, to ensure evidence-based work that delivers tangible outcomes across diverse geographies. The ED also strengthens the Lincoln Institute’s international voice on equitable, sustainable community outcomes.

The ED supervises the Land & Communities directors, nurturing development and dissemination of their programs, overseeing their content and practices, and ensuring robust collaboration across the organization. The ED also represents the Lincoln Institute publicly, providing expertise for conferences, media opportunities, and other external speaking engagements.

What You Will Do:

Set and Develop Strategy

Set and enforce research priorities and quality standards for research, and influence the design of educational and technical assistance programs that rely on that research.

Empower teams to develop and implement their respective strategies and proposals for external funding.

Collaborate across the organization to implement strategy for climate adaptation, housing, property rights, and other cross-cutting issues.

Collaborate with the Executive Director for Research to coordinate research initiatives and outputs with curriculum development, to serve Claremont Lincoln University and other educational institutions.

Lead budget development and resourcing for the impact area: Request endowment funds from the Board of Directors, engage funders, and collaborate with the Lincoln Institute’s Partnerships unit and senior leadership to build a development pipeline.

Collaborate with the communications team to inform and develop strategic communications within the impact area.

Generate and Develop Knowledge

Lead the identification and development of key concepts and issues for the Land and Communities impact area, in collaboration with Land and Communities staff, and in consultation with the Chief Program Officer and other Executive Directors.

Develop and/or manage initiatives to support the conceptualization, design, implementation, and assessment of new programs, projects, and emergent issues within the Land and Communities impact area.

Identify and analyze emergent issues and related mid- and long-term programmatic objectives (see “Strategy Development”).

Contribute content, ideas, and material that inform or align with the mission and identity of the Lincoln Institute, including ways the Land and Communities impact area can complement other impact areas and Centers within the organization.

Manage and Develop Teams and Programs

Empower the impact area’s Directors and Associate Directors to identify relevant, timely work.

Cultivate a collaborative, high-performing team environment by mentoring direct reports, fostering open communication, and championing shared ownership of goals.

Collaborate with team members and other staff on publications, communications, and events management.

Contribute to the organization’s program assessment system and annually help evaluate the impact area’s content, quality, and the impact of its activities and outputs.

Lead and oversee annual measurement and evaluation of goals to increase overall impact.

Qualifications: What You Will Need:

15+ years of relevant professional experience, subject matter expertise, and a doctorate, Juris Doctorate, or graduate degree within the fields underpinning land and community-focused work.

Demonstrated practitioner experience to support the organization’s work and diverse forms of engagement with public sector employees, as well as civic and community leaders.

Superior communication, leadership, and presentation skills required to serve as the public face of the Lincoln Institute on topics relevant to the impact area.

Demonstrated acumen and experience addressing strategic and operational issues when managing initiatives, complex projects, teams, and individuals.

Demonstrated ability and interest in training policymakers, their advisors, and staff.

Demonstrated ability to initiate and negotiate collaborations with relevant institutions working on related subject matter.

Excellent critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, and experience developing creative approaches to complex issues.

Professional demeanor; positive, collegial, and collaborative leadership skills; and commitment to transparency, openness, and mutual respect.

Task-oriented work ethic, responsiveness to deadlines, and a common-sense approach to advancing projects and agendas.

Demonstrated and well-respected integrity and judgment.

 A U.S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for future sponsorship

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should succinctly describe your interest in joining, why you are qualified, and what relevant expertise and experience you offer. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Compensation Overview

The salary market range for this role is posted above and dependent on level of education and years of experience. We value internal and external equity and encourage those who may be missing qualifications to submit their materials still.

Our Benefits

Our Benefits Benefits highlights include but are not limited to (a) 3x employer contribution towards retirement matching your employee contribution up to 15%, (b) health insurance with no deductible (c) dental insurance, (d) vision insurance, (e) copay assistance through an employer-funded health reimbursement account, (f) short-term disability coverage, (g) long term disability coverage, (h) paid parental leave, (i) voluntary insurances such as accident insurance, (j) health care flexible spending, (k) dependent care flexible spending, (l) paid time off for holidays, vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, and jury duty, (m) office closure between December 24 Jan 1 each calendar year, (n) flexible schedule and option for a compressed 4 day workweek, (o) tuition and staff development reimbursement, (p) pet insurance, and (q) Employee Assistance Program.

Our Values

Cooperation and Teamwork, Forthright Feedback, Initiative, Acceptance of Responsibility, Multicultural Sensitivity

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment by hiring, training, promoting, and carrying out personnel procedures with respect to compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, or terminations, on the basis of individual merit, experience, and ability without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture, length of hair, protective hairstyles or cultural or religious headdresses), color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, military service, serious medical condition, expunged juvenile record, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, status as a victim, credit information, homelessness status, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by law or otherwise. 

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Non-Smoking Organization

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a Non-Smoking organization. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited at all times and on all property owned, leased, or under the control of Lincoln Institute of Land Policy at all times, including, but not limited to indoor and outdoor grounds, walkways and sidewalks, parking lots, company vehicles, and private vehicles parked on Lincoln Institute of Land Policy property.

MA Polygraph Statement

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.