Peninsula Open Space Trust Careers

Position Specification

POST | (Peninsula Open Space Trust)

Chief Marketing Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

POST is creating a network of protected lands where people and nature connect and thrive. These lands are preserved forever so present and future generations benefit from the careful balance of rural and urban landscapes that makes the California region extraordinary.

Since its establishment in 1977, the organization has conserved more than 87,000 acres of open space across San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties. These safeguarded lands encompass permanent open spaces, farms, and parks.

Discover more about POST’s strategic plan, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
 

VISION & MISSION

POST draws upon extensive experience, collaborating with partners, and strategically leveraging funds to acquire and restore land effectively. Their approach involves:

●    Proven Land Protection Methods: Over time, they have honed successful methods for safeguarding land.

●    Stewardship Team: A dedicated stewardship team oversees each property, ensuring productive use of working lands, protection of natural resources, and the creation of recreational opportunities.

●    Collaboration with Dedicated Partner Organizations: They work closely with a variety of partner organizations, aligning efforts toward mutual objectives.

●    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: These principles guide their actions within the organization and in interactions with partner groups, contractors, and the communities they serve.

●    Strong Relationships with Local Indigenous Groups: Recognizing the importance of engagement and respect, they foster meaningful connections with indigenous communities.

Recent Press:

●       How Conservation Land Trusts Protect California Landscapes for Generations to Come

●       Peninsula Open Space Trust keeps 80,000+ acres of local landscape green

●       Vast, historic Bay Area ranch to be preserved as open space

●       Stunning stretch of private coastal Bay Area land to become a public park

THE ROLE
 

The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role along with the President and POST Executive team defines and leads all efforts to execute the mission to protect open space on the peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. The CMO is responsible for defining and executing the community and donor base growth strategies, overseeing new donor acquisition, paid and organic social media marketing, content marketing, and all external messaging, public and media relations. 

The CMO is also responsible for owning and refining POST’s brand positioning and messaging so that it resonates with both current and future demographic targets. This is a metrics-oriented position that shows results against a defined set of key performance indicators. The CMO and team are responsible for communicating POST land acquisitions and strategies to a broad base of communities, supporters, and media, as well as managing the development operations and marketing technology infrastructure. The CMO will also work closely with the President, the Board of Directors, and a variety of Board Committees.

Based in Palo Alto, CA, the role at POST embraces a hybrid office plan, allowing for a balance between in-person and remote work. This plan entails three days of in-person collaboration on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, complemented by two remote workdays, offering flexibility to accommodate the evolving work landscape. 

Specific Primary Responsibilities:

Marketing

●    Manage all aspects of POST’s brand including brand positioning, visual identity, and defining target markets for generating new community leads, prospective donors, and maintaining engagement with existing POST supporters.

●    Manage all external message development, digital and physical collateral asset creation, and public awareness efforts to achieve POST’s fundraising and community growth and diversification goals.

●    Work across the executive team to assist in the development and dissemination of internal communications.

●    Manage the team that conceptualizes, plans, and executes digital paid, organic, and offline community growth and awareness strategies including campaigns.

●    Ensure strong collaboration, consistency, and cost-effectiveness of integrated marketing strategies across all media types and program modalities.

●    Ensure the security and availability of a modern, flexible, and dynamic website that accurately and engagingly tells the story of POST.

●    Manage the Community Engagement function that designs and implements over 45 public-facing events per year of all types and sizes, including a volunteer Ambassador program.

●    Provide managerial oversight for a variety of contractors who provide necessary functions such as media relations, web development, Salesforce administration, digital fundraising, web development, and digital advertising.

●    Ensure that POST can effectively use and maintain marketing technologies including the Salesforce database, digital payment processing, Pardot marketing automation, and system integrations as needed to support the business.

●    Continually work to elevate POST’s profile with a variety of communities, the media, and the general public, while providing a best-in-class donor experience that encourages long-term loyalty and repeat giving.

●    Coordinate messaging and media approaches across a variety of conservation partner agencies, legal advisors, and other resources as needed to support various news and communication efforts.

 Fundraising

●    Manage the team that conceptualizes, plans, and executes online and offline fundraising strategies that achieve operating revenues in the $5M+ range annually.

●    Directly inform the strategies and tactics required to meet annual new donor growth targets.

●    Manages and maintains the Salesforce database and Pardot marketing automation platforms to support POST’s fundraising including annual campaigns, gift entry, acknowledgment, reporting, and donor database system integrity, system licensing and maintenance, and enforcing user best practices.

Management

●    Oversee the development and implementation of annual strategic priorities, budgets, and work plans. Work to ensure the optimal mix of staff and resources are coordinated to meet annual targets efficiently and cost-effectively.

●    Directly manage senior fundraising and marketing staff, ensuring a productive, professionally challenging workplace while anticipating the future needs of staff and the marketing organization as a whole.

●    Actively work to develop the personnel and project management skills of all direct reports ensuring that the team integrates POST’s core values into their work while identifying, training and developing opportunities for them and their staff.

●    Establish performance standards and priorities for the development of the marketing team.  Prepare and conduct regular check-ins, progress reports, annual goals, and salary performance reviews.

Strategic Leadership

●    As a member of the executive team, provide advice and support to the President, board, and senior staff on organizational matters, particularly those that affect POST’s fundraising efforts and brand image.

●    Serve as an officer of the organization able to sign off on contracts, bank statements, and checks.

●    Promote and practice a data-driven culture that uses available empirical and statistical evidence to inform strategies, tactics, and programs.

●    Lead the exploration, evaluation, and implementation of long-term fundraising and marketing and communications strategies including organizational structure and staffing needs as they evolve.

●    Maintain professional relationships with counterparts in other non-profit organizations and working groups.

●    Build and maintain strong relationships with core conservation partner organizations when it pertains to shared messages and public outreach.

●    Keep abreast of the latest developments in marketing and fundraising rules and regulations, best practices, and demographic changes.

●    Manage four or more direct reports with overall responsibility for a department of 12-14 full-time staff members, and part-time interns. (Excludes contractors/service providers.)

●    This role will report to the President, Walter Moore. 

THE CANDIDATE
 

POST is seeking a marketing leader who is energized by the unique opportunity to tap into the power of their mission and create a beloved brand. The ideal candidate has an enviable track record of creating and nurturing strong consumer brands and communities. They should possess an entrepreneurial spirit and have excellent judgment. This person is creative and should have a track record of bringing new ideas to the table and executing them successfully. The CMO is a relationship builder and will build strong partnerships internally and externally, motivating and inspiring their teams. To be successful, this person will demonstrate a bias toward action and be ready to roll their sleeves up to get the work done. 

The ideal candidate will have: 

●    10+ years in Marketing, leading teams focused on building technology, technology adjacent, and/or non-profit brands.

●    Has a bias toward action, ready to roll their sleeves up to get the work done. Scrappy and creative with owned channels and limited resources, demonstrating grit, tenacity, and ingenuity.

●    Strong understanding of the marketing ecosystem and expertise in appealing to multiple segments.

●    Experience working and communicating with a Board of Directors and senior leaders

●    Deep understanding of the marketing funnel and the strategies and tactics needed to successfully work across all levels of the funnel

●    Strong marketing instincts and proven track record of shaping and implementing successful brand positioning strategies.

●    Strong analytical background and ability to synthesize, analyze, and interpret data and transfer into actionable strategy to generate measurable results.

●    Strong leadership presence; serves as a senior leader within a company, influential within a cross-functional group of stakeholders and can create buy-in with both technical and operational teams.

Physical Requirements:

• Regular and accurate communication with others and completion of work involving the use of phone, computer, online, and video technology, and the ability to interact effectively with digital and printed materials.
• Ability to occasionally drive a vehicle to remote locations for onsite work or meetings.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10 lbs. of equipment and supplies in the office or the field.
• Ability to traverse uneven or rough terrain, and to tolerate exposure to outdoor elements and varying weather conditions when hiking at or visiting POST properties for business reasons.
• There are occasional duties that occur outside regular working hours.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to allow a person to perform essential functions.

STARTING SALARY RANGE:

$246,330-273,700 depending upon level of skills and experience, plus excellent benefits including healthcare, retirement account contribution & matching, generous time off, paid maternity/paternity/family medical leave, excellent learning and mental/physical wellness programs, personal mobile/internet usage stipend, commuter benefits, etc.
 

TO APPLY

For more information or to apply for this position, please directly contact Rich Talent Group. No applications to our JobVite system, please.

POST is an equal opportunity employer. We believe diversity and equity is central to our mission to protect open space in our region for the benefit of all. We are committed to creating an inclusive, values-driven workplace where all employees can thrive.

CONTACTS