Careers

Executive Director

Location: Franklin, NC
Reports to: Board of Directors
Direct Reports: 1-3 staff members

About the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy

The Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy (BRBTC) is dedicated to preserving, maintaining, and promoting the 110+ mile Bartram Trail across Georgia and North Carolina. Rooted in the legacy of naturalist William Bartram, our mission is to protect this treasured landscape, expand trail access, and foster a deeper connection between people and nature. With the help of volunteers, community partners, and donors, we strive to grow the trail as both a conservation asset and a cultural resource for generations to come.

Position Overview

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive of BRBTC and is responsible for strategic leadership, fundraising, community engagement, and operational management. The ED will drive the Conservancy’s mission by cultivating partnerships, leading fundraising initiatives, and building awareness of the trail’s importance to the region’s ecology, culture, and economy.

This position requires an innovative, community-minded leader who is skilled in nonprofit management, grant writing, volunteer engagement, and conservation advocacy. The ED works closely with the Board of Directors, oversees a small staff, and collaborates with a large network of volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Growth

  • Develop and execute the Conservancy’s multi-year strategic plan in partnership with the Board.
  • Lead staff and volunteers to expand trail stewardship, programming, and outreach.
  • Build a strong organizational culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and inclusivity.
  • Oversee planning and execution of major trail reroutes and long-term stewardship projects.

Fundraising & Grant Management

  • Lead fundraising initiatives, including major gifts, donor cultivation, corporate sponsorships, and community fundraising campaigns.
  • Identify, write, and manage grants from federal, state, and private foundations.
  • Ensure financial sustainability through diversified revenue streams.

Community & Cultural Engagement

  • Serve as a visible ambassador for BRBTC in Franklin, NC and the broader region.
  • Build partnerships with local governments, tourism boards, schools, cultural institutions, and other nonprofits.
  • Lead educational programming to share the ecological and cultural significance of the Bartram Trail.
  • Foster volunteer recruitment and engagement strategies that deepen community participation.
  • Build opportunities for youth and next-generation engagement through education and volunteer programs.

Operations & Governance

  • Supervise and support two direct reports, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  • Hold bi-annual performance reviews of direct reports to be shared with Board Members. 
  • Oversee financial management, budgeting, and reporting in collaboration with the Treasurer.
  • Ensure compliance with nonprofit governance, policies, and procedures.
  • Report regularly to the Board of Directors on progress, challenges, and opportunities.
  • Advise board on additional resources or tools to achieve strategic plan. 
  • Maintain compliance with Forest Service volunteer agreements and other land management partners.

Other Duties That The Board Might Assign From Time-to-Time

Qualifications

Required

  • Proven leadership experience in nonprofit or community-based organizations.
  • Strong track record in fundraising and grant writing.
  • Excellent communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to inspire diverse audiences.
  • Knowledge of conservation, outdoor recreation, or related fields.
  • Experience in staff management and volunteer coordination.
  • Strong financial management and organizational skills.

Preferred

  • Familiarity with the cultural and ecological landscape of western North Carolina and north Georgia.
  • Existing relationships with regional funders, government agencies, or conservation partners.
  • Experience in trail or land stewardship, outdoor education, or cultural interpretation.
  • Ability to leverage storytelling and community heritage to build awareness and support.

Compensation & Benefits

  • $60k-$70k Annualized Salary
  • Flexible work schedule, with a mix of office, remote, and field work.
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Healthcare Contributions
  • SIMPLE IRA 3% match
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Potential for Bonus Compensation

How to Apply

Interested candidates can begin by taking our E-INTERVIEW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.