Senior Director, Water for Birds and People, North America

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes.

With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org
and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary

The Senior Director, Water for Birds and People, North America, leads Audubon’s initiative to focus on the creation of a connected network of protected, managed, and restored freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetland habitats. Through improved science-based water management, long-term water policy solutions, demonstrations of successful on-the-ground restoration projects, and involvement of Audubon’s network and partners, this initiative will work to stabilize and increase populations of priority bird species that will in turn support clean water for people.

The position ensures work within its portfolio contributes impact toward the organization’s Habitat Conservation goals and other strategic initiatives.

Under the direction of the Vice President, Habitat, North America, the Senior Director will establish priorities, detailed goals, specific strategies, and tactics for water efforts in the United States and advise on work in Canada and Mexico as part of supporting Audubon’s hemispheric vision. These solutions include both policy and on-the-ground conservation efforts.

The position is expected to work closely with peers across the organization responsible for local, regional, and national-level plans that successfully implement and scale these strategies. They will work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure an integrated approach to water conservation across the hemisphere.

The Senior Director is expected to build and maintain relationships with key water leaders, coalitions, partners, and government officials and will serve as an important fundraising partner with Development. They will elevate Audubon’s leadership and profile with relevant external stakeholders and audiences.

This is a hybrid position based in Audubon’s New York City or Washington, DC offices. Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered.

Compensation

Salary range based on geo-differentials:

National: $144,000 – $162,000 / year

Alaska, CA (not San Francisco), Connecticut, D.C., Chicago, Oyster Bay, NY: $162,000 – $182,000 / year

NYC (not Oyster Bay), San Francisco, Seattle: $180,000 – $202,000 / year

Essential Functions

Develop Audubon’s Water for Birds and People conservation goals, priorities, and strategies that contribute impact toward Audubon’s organizational habitat conservation goals.

Determine relevant policy priorities for inclusion in the Healthy Birds Healthy Planet policy agenda, manage key water policy staff, and partner with Government Affairs colleagues to advance the policy strategy.

Collaborate closely with conservation leaders responsible for designing and implementing local, regional, and national implementation plans to ensure impact and scale toward policy and conservation goals. Work with colleagues throughout the hemisphere to ensure an integrated approach to these conservation efforts.

Guide day-to-day implementation of Audubon’s Water for Birds and People teams and work with the Vice President for Habitat Conservation to manage the initiative’s budget.

Support and drive innovative water management initiatives, such as the Great Salt Lake Water Trust and other current or future Audubon water management priorities.

Manage internal teams through establishment of work objectives and priorities, reviewing and revising these objectives on an ongoing basis, and convening communities of practice designed to support effective execution of conservation goals through collaboration across teams.

Ensure tracking, measurement, and reporting of work within the initiative’s portfolio toward organizational habitat conservation goals.

Develop and maintain key partnerships in the water conservation space. Leverage opportunities to elevate Audubon’s leadership and profile with external leaders, coalitions, and partners.

Build relationships with key government agencies responsible for decisions and public funding opportunities impacting Audubon’s Water for Birds and People priorities.

Work with communications and marketing staff around strategies to utilize print, online and social media, and digital organizing to support Audubon’s goals. Lead efforts to develop position documents, fact sheets, articles, newsletters, press releases, and social media posts.

Serve as a natural partner with Development on fundraising for habitat conservation priorities and support culture of philanthropy across the team and organization. Partner on developing proposals and projects that increase Audubon’s public funding.

Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.

Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.

Maintain and foster a culture of safety.

Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

10+ years’ progressive, professional experience in policy, government relations, advocacy, science, on-the-ground conservation, and/or public service, including 3+ years in a leadership position. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will also be considered.

Solid expertise in developing conservation strategies, water management, and/or wildlife conservation issues and policies, as well as strong connections with leading experts in this field.

Firm grasp of conservation issues and trends.

Demonstrated experience overseeing complex and multiple projects in a matrixed environment, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and coordinating with key staff and partners.

A self-starter who works collaboratively with staff on multiple career levels.

Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions with a wide range of individuals and organizations at all levels.

Willingness to aid in fundraising efforts as needed and a proven track record of success in cultivating donors and funders. Public funding experience preferred.

Technically savvy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite applications and various web-based technologies.

Excellent and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal. Experience working with the media a plus.

A deep commitment to building a culture of workplace excellence.

Willingness to travel as required.

Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

National Audubon Society Competencies

Building Trust: Take actions that give others confidence in your intentions and see you as truthful and reliable.

Coaching: Guide and develop individuals within the organization, nurturing professional growth and enhancing performance.

Decision Making: Make decisions based on comparative data and input from various sources, incorporating diverse viewpoints.

Leading and Facilitating Change: Guide, manage, and support organizational or systemic transformations, considering diverse needs and perspectives.

Strategic Leadership: Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills and articulate strategic vision to help the team and organization achieve long-term goals.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

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