Description

POSITION OVERVIEW 
The Transactions Program Manager is a key role that directly advances land conservation in Solano County by guiding landowners, many from multi-generational farming and ranching families, through the process of permanently protecting their land to protect its agricultural or habitat qualities.  

The Transactions Program Manager reports to the Chief Program Officer. This person leads and coordinates the acquisition of conservation easements and fee-title land through donation or purchase, or by transfer from developers or mitigation proponents, in accordance with the land trust’s policies and procedures. The Program Manager also supports mitigation easement transactions to establish required mitigation for habitat projects on land owned by Solano Land Trust. They will supervise and support the GIS/Conservation Easement Monitoring Specialist.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical knowledge of land conservation tools, especially conservation easements, experience navigating complex transactions with multiple stakeholders, and a genuine appreciation for working lands and agricultural communities. They understand that lasting conservation depends as much on trust and relationships as it does on legal and financial expertise, and they bring both.

 
RESPONSIBILITIES
Land Transactions and Portfolio Management

• Lead all phases of conservation easement agreements and fee title transactions, from initial landowner contact through due diligence, drafting, negotiation, board approval, and closing
• Manage a portfolio of active and prospective transactions simultaneously, maintaining clear timelines, priorities, and documentation for each
• Ensure easement terms are tailored to landowner goals and circumstances while meeting land trust standards and funder requirements
• Coordinate with legal counsel, appraisers, title companies, and other transaction professionals to move projects to completion
• Develop and refine internal systems for tracking transaction pipelines, the status of projects, and closing milestones
• Communicate project progress clearly to senior leadership, the board, and funders

Grant Writing, Project Funding, and Budget Management

• Identify, research, and pursue grant funding from state, federal, and private sources to support land conservation transactions
• Write compelling grant proposals that communicate conservation values, landowner stories, and project significance to a range of funders
• Manage active grants by ensuring timely reporting, maintaining compliance, and stewarding program officer relationships
• Identify, pursue, and manage mitigation-funded conservation transaction opportunities that align with the land trust’s conservation priorities
• Partner with leadership staff to track grant budgets, timelines, deliverables, and funding allocations across projects
• Develop and manage the transactions program budgets, monitoring expenditures across projects and funding sources
• Forecast and monitor transaction costs, including appraisals, legal fees, title, and due diligence expenses

Relationship Building and Partnership Orientation

• Cultivate and steward long-term relationships with landowners, particularly those from agricultural and ranching backgrounds, grounded in respect, patience, and genuine care for their land and legacy
• Develop and maintain relationships with partner organizations, public agencies, funders, and other conservation entities to advance shared land protection goals
• Represent Solano Land Trust in external convenings, coalition spaces, and with landowner communities across the county
• Serve as a trusted ambassador for the land trust’s mission and values with prospective and current conservation partners

People Management

• Supervise and support the GIS / Conservation Easement Monitoring Specialist, providing clear direction, regular feedback, and opportunities for professional growth
• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven team culture that reflects Solano Land Trust’s values of integrity, inclusion, and long-term thinking
• Coordinate with staff across conservation, stewardship, communications, and development to integrate transaction work into broader programmatic goals

Requirements

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

Land Transactions and Portfolio Management

• Familiarity with real estate transaction processes, especially drafting and negotiating conservation easements, title review, escrow, and purchase and sale agreements
• Experience reviewing legal documents or working closely with legal counsel on complex agreements, in a land protection or real estate context
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage a complex, multi-project portfolio with different deadlines and competing priorities
• Ability to communicate project status clearly to diverse audiences, including the leadership team, board, and funders
• Working knowledge of Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices and accreditation requirements
• Familiarity with IRS regulations governing donated conservation easements, including qualified conservation contributions

Grant Writing, Project Funding, and Budget Management

• Experience writing successful grant proposals to public and/or private funders for land conservation or related programs
• Ability to manage multiple active grants simultaneously, meeting reporting requirements and maintaining funder relationships
• Ability to evaluate mitigation opportunities relative to conservation priorities and standards
• Experience developing and managing program budgets, including grant-funded project budgets
• Comfort working with finance staff and tracking expenditures across multiple funding sources
• Attention to detail and accountability in financial tracking and reporting
• Some familiarity with major California land conservation funding sources, such as CDFW, NRCS, Wildlife Conservation Board, or USDA

Relationship Building and Partnership Orientation

• Demonstrated ability to build authentic, trust-based relationships with private landowners, particularly in agricultural and rural communities
• Experience working respectfully and effectively across cultural, generational, and socioeconomic differences
• Track record of developing and sustaining partnerships with public agencies, peer organizations, or other external stakeholders
• Patience, humility, and a genuine orientation toward long-term relationships
• Connection to farming, ranching, or agricultural land management that enables an authentic connection with the landowners Solano Land Trust serves, is a bonus

People Management

• Experience supervising and developing staff, including setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and supporting professional growth
• Experience contributing to a collaborative, mission-driven team culture and serving as a role model to colleagues
• Comfort coordinating across departments and working collaboratively with colleagues in finance, communications, stewardship, and development
• Experience supporting boards or advisory committees, including preparing materials, facilitating meetings, and following through on assigned tasks