Vice President of Trail Development—Revised 04/26/2013

View All Job Postings

Summary:
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is a national nonprofit organization advocating for healthier places for healthier people by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines and connecting corridors. RTC advocates for policies that support trail and active transportation systems, and inspires and empowers communities to build trail systems as an integral part of livable communities. Our goal is to make trail systems accessible to virtually all Americans so that they may share in the health, transportation, recreation and conservation benefits that they provide. RTC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Job Duties:
Reporting to the Senior VP of Policy and Trail Development and acting as a member of the senior leadership team, this position will oversee the development and implementation of new programs and the improvement of existing programs to deepen the impact and reach of RTC's trail development work.

With responsibility for managing and successfully delivering results on 3-5 major programs, the Vice President will supervise a team of highly capable and experienced professionals, including five direct reports. This individual will join the senior leadership team of an entrepreneurial and ambitious organization at a critical and exciting point in our history. This is an amazing opportunity for a strategic, creative, and results-oriented professional with exceptional management, program development, and implementation skills to join a successful organization in a leadership position.

The Vice President of Trail Development will be responsible for:

• Strategic Direction.In support of RTC's business plan, establish a new strategic direction to keep RTC on the cutting edge of trail development with activities such as:
  • Refining RTC's new Trail Development Vision, including working with staff to define the next generation of RTC's Urban Pathways Initiative and the appropriate RTC role in place-based work to create active transportation systems;
  • Strategic targeting of grants to local trail development partners;
  • Conceiving and directing signature trail projects of national significance; and
  • Creating a strategy to deploy RTC's Trail Modeling and Assessment Platform.
• Leadership. Assisting the Senior Vice President of Policy and Trail Development in managing RTC's Program Department, including:
• Directly supervising five field and trail development directors;
• Working with staff to deliver high quality technical assistance for trail development;
• Identifying and managing strategic partnerships and opportunities;
• Overseeing Program Department budgets and work plans; and
• Serving on RTC's executive team with responsibility to represent field and trail development issues.
• Fundraising. Being a key member of a team raising revenues from foundations, corporations, public agencies and major donors to support RTC's national and field trail development work, including:
  • Developing trail development programs and activities to serve as the basis of fundraising proposals for trail development nationally as well as in field offices;
  • Working with RTC's Program and Development staff to develop persuasive written proposals;
  • Serving as a member of RTC's "sales force" that cultivates relationships with prospects and pitches specific proposals; and
  • After funding has been secured, serve as lead staff on overseeing implementation of funded trail development work, including writing progress reports and cultivating the donor for renewal;
• Other. Assist with communications, event management and other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
The Director of Trail Development and the directors of each of RTC's four regional offices directly report to this position.

Minimum Qualifications:
The successful candidate will have:

• Eight to ten years of experience managing staff in a mission-driven environment;
• Significant experience with trail building and/or other active transportation infrastructure;
• The capacity and willingness to design innovative new programs and realize the full potential of existing initiatives;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships and collaborate across functional areas;
• Demonstrated experience in raising revenue from foundations, corporations and/or public agencies;
• Experience developing and managing budgets;
• Willingness to travel on occasion;
• Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) a major plus;
• At least an undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as planning, transportation or economics. A graduate degree in a relevant field is strongly preferred.

Work Environment:
Normal office setting with low to moderate noise level.

Employer's Rights:
RTC reserves the right to revise, change or reclassify this job description at any time in accordance with RTC's business needs. This job description is by no means an implied contract.

To Apply:
(Please use one form of transmitting your resume. No phone calls please) Position is open until filled. Send cover letter and resume to:

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Attn: Elton Clark, Human Resources
2121 Ward Court, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20037

E-mail: elton@railstotrails.org

RTC is an equal opportunity employer and seeks qualified candidates regardless of race, color, gender, disability, or national origin. Women and diverse applicants are encouraged to apply.