Description
The Southern Environmental Law Center is seeking a Land and Community Program Leader. This individual will report to our Program Director. This position is open to practicing attorneys with 8 or more years of experience.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.
This is a full-time, exempt position that may be based in Asheville, NC; Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Chapel Hill, NC; Charleston, SC; Charlottesville, VA; Nashville, TN; or Washington, DC. Employees must reside within SELC’s six-state region, the greater Washington, DC area, or Maryland. SELC has a hybrid work model that offers employees flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week. The anticipated start date is flexible.
About the Position
SELC’s Land and Community Program leader develops and implements a regional strategy to advance SELC’s mission within the scope of the Program. The Land and Community Program focuses on three primary areas: transportation, resilience, and land use. The program advances SELC’s efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce environmental injustice by promoting cleaner more equitable transportation solutions. Staff in the program routinely engage on resilience strategies from local governments to the federal government. Land use, particularly at the state and local levels, connects the transportation and resilience work. The next Land and Community Program leader will have some expertise in at least one of these areas and the willingness to learn from staff experts in other areas.
The Land and Community Program leader will be part of SELC’s regional leadership team, working with staff in each of our offices to advance the work of the program. Responsible for overall strategy and the program’s budget, the program leader will be a peer to other program leaders as well as office directors. Although the program leader’s primary responsibility will be managing and leading staff, they will also be expected to do some hands-on legal and policy work.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve as SELC’s leader and principal spokesperson on regional and national issues related to the Land and Community Program.
- Develop and implement Program goals, priorities, and annual work plans in partnership with the Deputy Director, Director of Programs, Initiative Leaders, Office Directors, and staff, in alignment with SELC’s strategic objectives.
- Identify opportunities to advance regional and national change within the scope of the Program and elevate key priorities, emerging issues, and resource needs to SELC leadership.
- Provide strategic guidance to Communications, Federal Affairs, Development, and leadership teams on Program priorities, advocacy strategies, and implementation efforts across SELC offices.
- Partner with Communications staff to guide public messaging and coordinate strategic Program-related communications and opportunities across SELC offices.
- Assume lead responsibility for select litigation, advocacy, or other Program work and contribute to SELC’s broader strategic vision and resource planning.
- Review and provide feedback on Notices of Early Involvement and Litigation Approval requests related to the Program.
- Partner with the Development team to cultivate, maintain, and expand donor and foundation support for the Program, including managing relationships with key funders.
- Manage the Program’s expert and consultant budget and coordinate training and professional development resources for Program staff.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant legal practice experience.
- Active license to practice law or eligibility to become licensed in one of SELC’s six states or Washington, D.C.
- Demonstrated expertise in transportation, land use, resilience, or related areas of environmental law and policy.
- Significant experience developing and advancing strategic advocacy, litigation, or policy initiatives related to transportation, land use, or resilience.
- Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to set a clear strategic vision, identify ambitious long-term organizational priorities, lead teams through complex and evolving advocacy challenges, and effectively supervise staff with varying roles and experience levels.
- Creative and forward-thinking approach to program development, including the ability to identify emerging opportunities to transform transportation and resilience policy across the South.
- Excellent judgment and strategic decision-making skills, including the ability to balance competing priorities, allocate resources effectively, and focus organizational engagement where it will have the greatest impact.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse set of clients, partners, government officials, and stakeholders.
- Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate technical and legal issues into plain English.
- Strong independent initiative and the ability to lead cases or matters alongside a team.
- State or federal litigation experience.
- Commitment to SELC’s mission and values.
- Willingness and ability to travel.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with state and/or federal lobbying.
- A genuineinterest in and commitment to helping SELC create and fosteran equitableand inclusive workplace thatwelcomes people from acrossthe rich racial and cultural diversity of our region.
About SELC
The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of 250, including more than 160 legal and policy experts and advocates. Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, SELC has offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC.
At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that welcomes people from across the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and values diverse perspectives. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at www.selc.org.
Compensation & Benefits
SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The base salary range for this position is $175,400- $190,100. Actual placement within the range will depend on factors such as relevant experience, education, skills, and internal equity considerations. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page.
SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer.
SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for a SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address.
To Apply
To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is August 20, 2026. However, applications may be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
