President

The New York Landmarks Conservancy is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search.

BACKGROUND

The Organization

New York Landmarks Conservancy, Inc. (the “Conservancy”) is New York's leading nonprofit preservation organization, dedicated to protecting, revitalizing, and promoting the city's architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings and neighborhoods. Through advocacy, technical assistance, loans and grants, educational programs, and strategic partnerships, the Conservancy works to ensure that New York's rich built heritage remains an integral part of vibrant communities across the city and state.

For more than five decades, the Conservancy has combined preservation expertise with pragmatic problem-solving, earning a reputation as a trusted and influential voice among government agencies, community organizations, property owners, faith institutions, developers, and civic leaders. Its diverse portfolio includes advocacy initiatives, the Historic Properties Fund, technical services, and the Sacred Sites Program, among other programs that deliver meaningful community impact. Its Living Landmarks and Chairman’s Award celebrations also help to assure the Conservancy’s continued prominence within the community.

The organization benefits from a highly engaged Board of Directors, a talented and dedicated staff, and a strong financial foundation that positions it for continued success.

Learn more about the Conservancy at nylandmarks.org.

The Position

Following more than three decades of exceptional leadership, the Conservancy stands at an important and exciting moment in its evolution. The organization seeks a dynamic, relationship-oriented, and externally focused President who can build on a strong legacy while leading the Conservancy into its next era of impact, visibility, and growth.

Reporting to the Board, the President will serve as the chief ambassador, strategist, fundraiser, and organizational leader of the Conservancy. This individual will inherit an organization with a distinguished reputation, deep institutional knowledge, strong programmatic impact, and substantial goodwill throughout the preservation community. At the same time, the next leader will have the opportunity to expand the organization's visibility, diversify revenue streams, strengthen relationships with key public-sector decision-makers, engage new generations of supporters, and articulate the relevance of preservation within contemporary discussions about housing, economic development, and community vitality.

The President will work closely with a current staff of 14, a robust Board and Advisory Council, as well as donors, elected officials, preservation advocates, and civic stakeholders to advance the Conservancy’s mission while preserving the collaborative culture that has long defined the organization.

Key priorities for the role include:

Serve as the Public Face and Voice of the Conservancy: Represent the organization in public forums, media appearances, policy discussions, and stakeholder meetings. Develop and maintain strong relationships with city and state government officials, community leaders, developers, preservation organizations, donors, foundations, and other partners whose engagement is critical to advancing the Conservancy's mission.

Expand Fundraising and Diversify Revenue: Build upon a solid financial foundation by broadening philanthropic support, deepening major donor relationships, cultivating institutional funding sources, and building upon its existing fundraising events and individual contributors.

Advance Preservation Through Pragmatic Leadership: Protect the organization’s reputation as a thoughtful and constructive participant in discussions involving historic preservation, housing affordability, economic development, planning, and community revitalization. Help broaden understanding of preservation as a public good that benefits diverse communities throughout New York.

Lead and Sustain a High-Performing Team: Support and empower an experienced, mission-driven staff while preserving the collegial, collaborative, and respectful culture that distinguishes the Conservancy. Cultivate a strong, transparent partnership with an engaged Board of Directors, and support effective governance while leveraging board members' expertise, networks, and philanthropic resources.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Organizational Strategy and Programs

• Provide overall vision, strategy, and leadership for the Conservancy.
• Lead strategic planning and organizational goal setting in partnership with the Board and staff.
• Assess and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting preservation, planning, and community development.
• Ensure sound financial stewardship and responsible management of organizational resources, working with the staff and Board to maintain long-term financial health and sustainability.
• Oversee organizational operations, budgeting, compliance, and risk management.

External Relations

• Serve as the organization’s principal spokesperson and representative, with particular visibility among New York City elected officials, public agencies, civic leaders, media, and other external audiences.
• Build and sustain productive relationships with policymakers, preservation partners, community stakeholders, donors, developers, and other partners whose engagement is important to advancing the Conservancy’s mission.
• Advance the Conservancy’s visibility, credibility, and influence within government, media, and the broader public.
• Articulate compelling, well-reasoned positions on preservation issues while maintaining the organization’s reputation for balance, credibility, and pragmatism.

Resource Development

• In collaboration with development staff, lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy that deepens philanthropic investment in the Conservancy’s mission.
• Partner with directors and staff to identify, cultivate, and secure new funding opportunities.
• Grow foundation, corporate, individual, and planned giving support to broaden and strengthen the organization’s revenue base.

Board and Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of talented and experienced staff, ensuring that individuals have the guidance, resources, and accountability needed to do their best work.
• Foster a workplace culture characterized by trust, professionalism, mutual respect, transparency, and shared accountability.
• Preserve and leverage the Conservancy’s deep institutional knowledge while supporting thoughtful innovation and organizational evolution.
• Support effective human resource practices and internal systems appropriate for a growing, mission-driven organization.
• Support outreach to prospective new members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Council to assure their continued strength and contributions over time.

Experiences and Qualifications

• Preservation and civic context: Interest in and appreciation for historic preservation, architecture, urban design, planning, or the broader built environment; familiarity with New York City politics, zoning, planning, and development processes is highly valued.
• Public policy and advocacy: Experience in government affairs, public policy, advocacy, or related fields, with the ability to navigate complex political environments and competing stakeholder interests while maintaining organizational integrity, credibility, and a nonpartisan approach.
• Executive and organizational leadership: A track record of leading mission-driven organizations, including staff development, organizational growth, board engagement, and the cultivation of a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Relationship building: Demonstrated ability to cultivate and sustain strong relationships with board members, donors, elected officials, advocates, civic leaders, and other key constituencies.
• Fundraising and revenue development: Experience securing and stewarding major gifts, partnering effectively with engaged boards, and developing diversified revenue streams.
• Judgment and presence: High emotional intelligence, credibility, authenticity, sound judgment, and the presence to represent the Conservancy with professionalism and confidence.
• Communications: Strong public speaking, writing, media relations, and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate the value and relevance of preservation to a wide range of audiences.
• Board partnership: Experience working effectively with accomplished boards, demonstrating transparency, collaboration, and respect for effective governance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The President is a full-time, salaried, and exempt position. The role is based in the Conservancy’s offices, currently located at One Whitehall Street, 21st Floor in Lower Manhattan. The organization currently operates on a hybrid schedule, with three in-office days per week. This role requires flexibility for evening and weekend events, as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary

$300,000-350,000

The Conservancy offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision coverage; disability insurance; and a voluntary retirement plan with employer contributions after two years of service.

TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS

If you are interested in this position, please click apply. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.

We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply, even if they do not meet all of the qualifications outlined above. Candidates selected for an initial screening call can expect to hear from us throughout September and October.