Director, Mississippi River Program

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 National Audubon Society is seeking a Director, Mississippi River Program to strengthen, expand and lead Audubon’s water conservation strategy across the River and key parts of the watershed. Audubon’s Water for Birds and People Initiative is a key element of our strategic plan, focused on ensuring clean and abundant water in rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands, and marshes in landscapes where this is paramount to birds and communities. The Mississippi River Program seeks to lead and coordinate existing strategies in the priority states of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin while developing new strategies to advance more comprehensive habitat protection and restoration efforts to benefit birds and the places they need. This position reports to the Senior Director, Water for Birds and People. An experienced and credible environmental leader, the Director will work collaboratively with cross-functional Audubon colleagues on water issues throughout the watershed. The Director will build upon existing Mississippi River water conservation programs, act as a spokesperson for the program, lead our coalition work in this area and build strategic partnerships that advance Audubon’s objectives.

This position is classified as hybrid preferred, remote within the United States considered, in accordance with Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy. Hybrid employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days each month of the employee’s choosing. Candidates should be located within commuting distance of one of Audubon’s offices, which include locations in: 

Albuquerque, NM; Albany, NY; Anchorage, AK; Baltimore, MD; Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Columbia, SC; Fargo, ND; Fort Collins, CO; Lincoln, NE; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Oakland, CA; Palm Desert, CA; Roseville, MN; Sacramento, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; Tallahassee, FL;; and Washington, DC. 

A preference will be given to those that would be based out of the New Orleans, LA office or remote within the Mississippi watershed.

Compensation:

Salary range based on geo-differentials:

• $115,000 - $129,000 / year = Albuquerque, NM; Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; Fargo, ND; Fort Collins, CO; Lincoln, NE; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; Salt Lake City, UT; Tallahassee, FL

• $129,000 - $145,000 / year = Albany, NY; Anchorage, AK; Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Palm Desert, CA; Roseville, MN; Sacramento, CA; Washington, DC

• $144,000 - $162,000 / year = New York, NY; Oakland, CA

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions

• Implement and evolve a comprehensive water conservation strategy across the Mississippi River watershed in collaboration with Audubon colleagues across geographies and functions, to support policy and conservation efforts throughout the Mississippi River basin.

• Lead implementation and further development of Audubon’s Mississippi River watershed (MRW) conservation and policy agenda, including engagement efforts that advance our goals and build our network, and track progress towards those goals.

• Supervise regular and intern staff through establishment of work objectives and priorities, reviewing and revising these objectives on an ongoing basis to guide and mentor team members in their work progress. 

• Serve as an Audubon spokesperson for multi-organizational coalitions, including those focused on securing public funding and policies that benefit the Mississippi River basin.

• Collaborate with regional offices and external partners for on-the-ground conservation work that supports the River, with a focus on expanding the use of nature-based solutions to achieve conservation results.

• Participate in policy engagement and educational activities before the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, and federal and state agencies to advance conservation objectives.

• Serve as Audubon’s spokesperson for engagement with key high-level state and federal officials and develop and maintain relationships with critical agencies and district offices within them, particularly, but not limited to, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

• Collaborate with Audubon’s government affairs and policy teams on Mississippi River related policy issues.

• Work with communications and policy staff around strategic communications and digital organizing that support Audubon’s MRW conservation priorities, including writing public policy position documents, fact sheets, articles and blogs, newsletters, press releases and social media posts.

• In partnership with Development and Public Funding teams, support a culture of philanthropy by helping secure funds from individuals, foundations, and government agencies and develop partnerships and relationships with funders, donors, and strategic partners to support and grow Audubon’s capacity to implement diverse and effective MRW programs.

• In coordination with Sr. Director, Water for Birds, and People, track grant deliverables and spending related to the Mississippi River Water Program.

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

• Maintains and fosters culture of safety.

• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, biology, ecology, natural resources management, or related field required. Advanced degree preferred.

• 10+ years' progressive experience in policy, advocacy, science and/or public service. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Experience in and knowledge of water policy, wildlife conservation, and related issues in the Mississippi River watershed.

• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex projects through to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key partners.

• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to collaborate with partners, and manage teams and projects effectively

• Understanding of current policy trends in water related to the Mississippi River, wildlife management, water resources, navigation, climate change, agriculture, land and water conservation, Indigenous or Tribal law, with experience applying this knowledge to policy advocacy and implementation strongly preferred.

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

• Excellent and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal, including substantial public speaking experience, and the ability to effectively represent Audubon to members, state and federal elected officials, donors, and chapter leaders, as well as in traditional and social media.

• Ability to synthesize and effectively communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrated success with fundraising, in particular with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government funders.

• Willingness and ability to travel for key meetings with staff, funders and other important stakeholders, and working some evenings and weekends 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: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Building Trust: Take actions that give others confidence in your intentions and see you as a truthful and reliable person who follows through on promises and commitments.  

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

Decision Making: Make decisions based on comparative data and input from various sources, incorporating diverse viewpoints and insights for a holistic understanding. 

Leading and Facilitating Change: Be effective in guiding, managing, and supporting organizational or systemic transformations, including considering diverse needs and perspectives.  

Strategic Leadership: Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills and articulate strategic vision to help team members and the 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.

Accessibility Statement

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