Careers
Founded in 1985, the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt California non-profit Corporation that conserves natural resources, agricultural land, and open spaces for the benefit of present and future generations. With a community-centered approach to conservation and an inclusive team environment, we prioritize professional development, collaboration, and innovation.
Open Positions
COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR
We are thrilled to announce the search for our first Communications and Engagement Director in partnership with Potrero Group, a leadership and executive search firm with a special emphasis on conservation organizations.
The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County seeks a director to inspire and connect the public, partners, and stakeholders to discover and champion land conservation across one of California’s most distinctive and diverse landscapes.
Visit potrerogroup.com/santabarbara for more information and to apply. Interested candidates should apply by July 24, 2026, for priority consideration. The position is open until filled.
DESIRED COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE
The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County seeks a creative, entrepreneurial leader who brings both vision and discipline to the work of modern messaging, marketing, and community engagement. The ideal candidate has a high bar for quality and a real appetite for building and owning a function that matters to the organization’s future.
The Land Trust needs someone who can work fluidly between strategy and execution and who brings the cultural fluency and genuine curiosity needed to engage authentically across diverse communities. They understand the technical infrastructure necessary to run both digital and analog campaigns, and can create and manage workflows efficiently across systems. They are a skilled and supportive manager who brings out the best in the people they lead, a natural collaborator who earns trust across teams and with external partners, and a creative thinker who approaches problems with imagination, good humor, and systems thinking. Experience in conservation, land use, or the agricultural world is a plus, but what matters most is the ability to learn the language of this work quickly and use it to connect people to a mission worth caring about.
COMPENSATION
This is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position. The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $125,000–$165,000. The range provided is an estimate and will be evaluated on an individual basis, taking into consideration the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and education.
LOCATION
The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is based in new offices in central Santa Barbara, CA. The Communications and Engagement Director must be based in Santa Barbara County, with regular travel throughout the county.
The position requires regular in-person presence for events and meetings with partners, donors, and community constituents throughout the region, including evening and weekend events and activities as needed.
START DATE
Fall 2026
TO APPLY
Please visit potrerogroup.com/santabarbara and select “Apply Here.” Applications should include a resume and a cover letter describing your qualifications that match the position criteria and what you will bring to the role.
Interested and qualified candidates should apply by July 24, 2026, for priority consideration. The position is open until filled.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information regarding this opportunity, please contact Andrew Leider, Managing Director and Search Lead at Potrero Group, at [email protected].
