Director of Policy

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts' premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees' preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported almost entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, 

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $117,250-150,750

New hires are typically placed between Tier I and Tier III within the range, $117,250-137,350.

Hours per week: 40

Job Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Job Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Boston, MA

What You'll Do:

Your Impact:

At a time when our planet faces unprecedented challenges, The Trustees is poised to embark on an ambitious 5-year strategic plan that will accelerate the conservation and care of special places throughout Massachusetts. As the Director of Policy, you'll play a crucial role in developing public policy and strategic approaches that will help conserve places of ecological, historical, cultural, and recreational importance for everyone, forever.

The Role:

As the Director of Policy, you'll position the Trustees as an active and influential member of the conservation and climate advocacy community, working to address policy, funding, legislation, and other areas that impact the Trustees' work and the quality of life in Massachusetts communities. Key mission areas of focus include conservation, climate resilience, agriculture, and public access and recreation.

You'll largely focus your work at the state level, though there will be specific opportunities to engage at the federal and local level as well. You'll advise and support both leaders and property-based staff in addressing high-priority issues and community relations, building meaningful relationships with policy makers and in communities across the state and advocating for funding and legislation that advance the mission of the Trustees.

The Director of Policy reports to the Chief Conservation and Climate Officer and is an active member of the Conservation and Climate Team. This position also works very closely with the Marketing and Communications staff to ensure effective, proactive external communications around The Trustees' priorities.

Specifically, you'll:

• Lead the development and implementation of policy and advocacy priorities and strategies that drive The Trustees' strategic goals and objectives and position the organization's voice in the public dialogue.

• Represent The Trustees before elected and appointed officials and pursue networking and outreach opportunities that maintain and build The Trustees' presence and effectiveness.

• Track and advocate for state and federal policy and funding for organizational priorities.

• Prepare briefings on key issues for the President/CEO.

• Lead on and support advocacy best practices including:

• Policy agenda-setting and annual work-planning that articulates a clear, proactive focus and sets priorities and targets. This will involve a collaborative process that engages internal and external stakeholders.

• Coordinating staff relationships and interactions with public officials.

• Communicating internally to ensure that the President, Board, and Executive Team are up-to-date and informed about our public issues-related positions and, when appropriate, are activated to support a successful outcome.

• Participating in broader staff communications.

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to a) develop communications to members and other Trustees' audiences and to the media. This may include drafting policy statements, talking points, op-eds and public remarks for various outlets to be delivered by the Director of Policy, members of the Executive Team and/or other staff, volunteers, or partners.

• Represent The Trustees in key mission-related partnerships and collaborations and engage The Trustees staff, including Program Directors, Executives, and leadership volunteers, in actions and issues.

• When relevant to a statewide position or strategy, support colleagues in addressing local issues that impact our reservations or the communities in which we have a presence.

• Ensure that The Trustees staff abides by lobbying laws and reporting requirements.

This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours/week) reporting directly to the Chief Conservation and Climate Officer.

What You'll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• 10 years combined experience in positions of ever-increasing responsibility and leadership in government affairs, advocacy, community organizing, or policy, and subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas: land and nature conservation, climate change, outdoor recreation, and/or agriculture.

• Proven government relations professional with comprehensive knowledge of the policy-making processes at the Massachusetts and federal level.

• Proven experience networking and creating strong relationships internally and externally.

• Proven track record of strategic and tactical thinking and strong analytical skills.

• Highly effective public speaker and strong writing skills.

• History of actively seeking out and supporting collaborative thinking and problem solving.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Don't quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at 

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: 15 days per year

• Vacation time: 20 days per year (prorated)

• 12 observed holidays, 3 floating

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave

• Life Insurance

• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.

• Reciprocity: Enjoy access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions for Trustees Staff, Volunteers and Interns.

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.

• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property

• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees' commitment to advancing the organization's vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us