Executive Director

Who We Are :

NTF is a non-profit organization located in Davidson County, Tennessee, dedicated to planting and preserving Nashville’s urban tree canopy.

The NFT Staff and Board focus on planting and caring for trees, promoting environmental stewardship, and educating the community about the importance of trees for a healthy and vibrant community.

NTF engages with local residents, volunteers, and partners to ensure that Nashville's urban forest continues to thrive, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.

Since its founding in 1986, NTF has planted over 10,000 trees across Nashville and Middle Tennessee, consistently working to protect and expand the city's tree canopy.

Our Vision

A Nashville that values trees.

Our Mission

The Nashville Tree Foundation works to preserve and enhance Nashville’s urban forests by planting trees in urban areas, identifying the oldest and largest trees in Davidson County, and educating the public about the value of trees.

For more information, please visit our website at

The Opportunity

Nashville Tree Foundation, which began as a volunteer-led initiative, implemented a new strategic plan and hired its first full-time Executive Director in 2019, marking the start of a period of significant growth.

As we look ahead, we are searching for an Executive Director to build on our achievements and lead the Foundation into its next phase of growth and impact.

This role offers the chance to guide a respected Nashville-based organization with a proven history of environmental stewardship.

As Executive Director, you will play a pivotal role in fostering positive environmental change and supporting vibrant, healthy communities as you lead our dedicated network of partners, supporters, volunteers, and staff to preserve, champion, and expand our cherished urban tree canopy.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the NTF Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for all aspects of the management and operation of the organization, including identification and pursuit of funding, development and maintenance of positive working relationships with city and community partners, and execution of all programming.

The Executive Director, in partnership with the Board, will be responsible for fulfilling the organization’s mission with a special focus on the current organizational priorities to :

• Increase awareness of the organization in the community,
• Ensure a sustainable future for the organization through diverse funding streams, and
• Cultivate partnerships that advance NTF’s mission and mutually benefit our partners and community.

To be successful, the Executive Director must be a proactive, energetic, and experienced leader willing to advocate for community support, negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes, and enhance our organizational capacity to achieve our mission.

Core Qualifications

Successful candidates must have demonstrated abilities across a broad range of managerial functions including fundraising, fiscal management, program planning and development, marketing and public relations.

The ideal candidate can manage multiple priorities and work effectively with diverse constituencies (staff, volunteers, donors, media, Metro partners, other nonprofits and funding resources).

This person should be passionate about our mission and able to effectively develop and articulate the work of Nashville Tree Foundation to the community, resulting in increased partnerships and funds raised.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent skills and 5+ years of relevant professional work experience, with demonstrated leadership experience within a nonprofit or mission-focused organization
• Experience in fundraising and community development
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Solutions-oriented, entrepreneurial spirit
• Passionate about NTF’s mission
• Demonstrated experience working with Boards to achieve strategic objectives
• Ability to present complex information in an impactful and succinct manner through presentations, written reports, grant narratives, social media and other interactions
• Ability to work effectively with diverse and disparate constituencies
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, both independently and as the leader of a team
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, creativity and flexibility
• Candidate must be available to occasionally work on weekends and nights
• Candidate must be physically able to participate in tree planting activities and other programming initiatives

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working in the non-profit sector, especially in the operation of a conservation, friends or similar organization, is strongly preferred
• Experience hiring, managing and supervising staff
• Experience with advocacy, marketing / PR, and government relations
• Experience developing and executing mission-oriented programing
• Experience with community outreach, volunteers, and partnerships
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with local and state governments, philanthropies and community stakeholders
• Communications experience including social media, press, and newsletters
• Experience with contact management systems

Location : Hybrid, based in Nashville

There is flexibility for this to be a hybrid role with the understanding that the Executive Director should lean into being in-person with team members, including at the Nashville office.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range : $75,000 - $100,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

• NTF offers access to a health benefits package.
1 day ago