Policy Director

### Job Description

#### Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President and Executive Director of Audubon South Carolina, the Policy Director is a key member of Audubon South Carolina’s team. They will advance opportunities to leverage Audubon’s best assets – an engaged and growing grassroots membership, a desire to build broad coalitions, and an organization-wide commitment to pragmatic science-based solutions – in pursuit of sustainable policy accomplishments in South Carolina and with the state’s federal delegation.

Audubon South Carolina is a leading conservation advocacy organization within the state. The organization has significantly contributed to successful state legislative efforts to permanently reauthorize the state’s Conservation Bank, pass the SC Energy Freedom Act, and create the Office of Resilience. Audubon South Carolina was an integral partner in moving the federal delegation to support Audubon priorities like renewing the Land and Water Conservation Fund and expanding protections under the Coastal Barriers Resources Act System.

The Policy Director is responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive strategy to advance a bipartisan policy agenda at the local, state, and/or federal levels in South Carolina to advance the goals of the National Audubon Society’s Flight Plan. The Policy Director works in collaboration with Audubon South Carolina staff and national strategy, policy, and conservation leadership.

The Policy Director is a critical part of the state leadership team that supports driving the state office’s vision to implement transformative policy solutions and mobilize an effective conservation network of 30,000 plus members across the state. Audubon South Carolina is committed to turning pragmatic policy ideas into protection for birds and the places they need.

The Policy Director will build and maintain bipartisan working relationships with external partners, the Governor’s office, state and federal lawmakers and legislative offices, relevant local officials, and state and/or federal agencies to advance Audubon’s policy agenda. This includes registering as a lobbyist in the State of South Carolina and regularly working at the State House during the legislative session.

This is a remote position located in Columbia or within a thirty-mile radius of Columbia, South Carolina. This position relies on in-person engagement with lawmakers and will be expected to be at the State House during the legislative session and other times as needed. Travel within the state and outside of the state (to Washington, DC, for instance) is expected.

#### Compensation

$110,000-$120,000 / year

#### Additional Job Description

##### Essential Functions

– Serve as a member of Audubon South Carolina’s leadership team, to include engaging on relevant organizational strategy and planning and participation with the Conservation Council.
– Oversee the conservation policy program for Audubon South Carolina, including strategic planning, priority and short and long-term goal and agenda setting, policy advocacy, staff and contractor management, and budget oversight.
– Guide the day-to-day efforts to successfully move the conservation policy agenda in South Carolina, working closely with Audubon staff to align the program with the organization’s strategic priorities.
– Coordinate with staff to mobilize members, advocates, chapters, and other supporters to advocate for Audubon’s policy agenda with lawmakers including drafting and publishing communications materials.
– Review and support production of policy communications intended for Audubon membership to ensure accuracy and alignment with Audubon policy priorities.
– Serve as an ambassador for Audubon South Carolina, engaging key stakeholders including government officials, major funders, business leaders, and the media to advance conservation efforts. Lobby Congress, federal and state administrative branches and agencies, and others to advance conservation objectives.
– Stay abreast of local, state, and federal legislative and administrative affairs and decisions affecting Audubon’s conservation agenda and its constituents.
– Raise the profile and visibility of Audubon South Carolina as a leader in conservation policy efforts; build creative and enduring alliances and partnerships to support Audubon’s policy efforts within the state.
– Identify new opportunities for policy and advocacy engagement opportunities and serve as an effective advocate for Audubon’s legislative and regulatory priorities in state and national arenas in coordination with Audubon’s conservation and policy leadership.
– Collaborate with Audubon’s National Policy team on all South Carolina-related policy issues and develop strong and effective working relationships with staff across the Audubon network.
– In collaboration with the Executive Director and other key Development staff, support fundraising efforts.
– Work with the state’s program staff and center leadership to identify and integrate policy and advocacy opportunities into their programs and volunteer efforts.
– Collaborate with staff on earned and paid media opportunities to elevate Audubon South Carolina’s policy and conservation agenda throughout the state.
– Serve as an articulate, enthusiastic, and visible spokesperson for Audubon South Carolina.
– Promote an organizational culture and structure that fosters cooperation, communication, collaboration, teamwork, and trust.
– Work closely with the Audubon Action Fund, 501 (c)(4) affiliate to the National Audubon Society, on developing and implementing a strategic and tactical plan to help advance priority organizational state and federal policy priorities in South Carolina.
– Other job-related duties as assigned.

#### Qualifications and Experience

– Bachelor’s Degree in public policy, natural resources, or related field required.
– A minimum of 10 years progressive policy experience working in the government or non-profit arena.
– Must be able/eligible to register as a lobbyist in South Carolina for Audubon.
– Keen understanding of current policy trends in South Carolina and the Southeastern United States related to climate change, coastal resiliency, wildlife management, and land management and conservation. Experience applying this knowledge to successful policy advocacy and implementation strongly preferred.
– Personal desire to build durable bipartisan public will for conservation issues, work with diverse stakeholders, and engage both Democrats and Republicans on Audubon’s policy interests.
– Experience working in partnership with a network of invested community leaders and advocates.
– Experience working in an organization that coordinates strategies for both local and national legislative issues.
– Effective management skills, including the ability to direct and mentor staff.
– A willingness to aid in fundraising efforts as needed, experience with political campaigns a plus.
– Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability synthesize and interpret technical information for various audiences.
– A commitment to Audubon’s mission of conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat and the ability to communicate the mission, goals, and programs effectively to partners and government officials, donors, and the public.
– Ability to stand, sit, and traverse with or without accommodation.
– Willingness and ability to travel across the state and elsewhere as needed, some weekends and evenings required, especially during legislative session.

#### EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion, and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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