Audubon North Carolina - Vice President and Executive Director

THE ORGANIZATION

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they, and we all, need to thrive. We work throughout the Americas using science, on-the-ground conservation advocacy, public engagement and conservation education. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, conservation centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all. 

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across seven countries including 16 state and regional offices, 32 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries in the United States. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

 Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, enjoy a strong sense of belonging, and are respected for their individual contributions. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff, board, volunteers, members, and supporters; fostering an inclusive network of Audubon Conservation Action Centers and Chapters in all communities, both rural and urban; and ensuring a workplace free of discrimination of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, national or ethnic origin, politics, or veteran

status. We recognize that protecting and conserving nature and the environment transcends political, cultural, and social boundaries—and that respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds, lifestyles,

and perspectives will attract the best talent and ideas, and bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

AUDUBON NORTH CAROLINA

Audubon North Carolina represents an ever-expanding flock, with nearly 51,000 members, nine chapters, and six college chapters across the state, a historic lodge at our Pine Island Sanctuary on the Outer Banks, and a network of bird sanctuaries along the coast, from Ocracoke Island to the Lower Cape Fear River that protect 40% of the state’s colonial nesting water birds. Audubon North Carolina’s varied conservation work- from the forests of Blue Ridge Mountains to the shoals of the Outer Banks – and our passionate supporters – give the birds we love a fighting chance while creating a better future for us all.

Policy

Audubon North Carolina’s nonpartisan network of community and campus chapters, and members is our strength and the key to winning big, durable policy changes that protect birds now and into the future. In collaboration with the State Office, our members speak up for birds from town halls to the state legislature and beyond. As a direct result, we’re seeing major progress on climate and conservation, as well as local policy changes that protect birds in our communities and grow our long-term grassroots political power.

Healthy Forests

Audubon has crafted a collaborative approach to forest management to restore habitats for birds and wildlife across North Carolina. By developing partnerships, training opportunities, management plans and demonstration sites we are putting working lands to work for birds and people and providing landowners with the tools to enhance their property in cost-effective and sustainable ways while supporting struggling populations of priority bird species.

Coastal Stewardship

The Audubon North Carolina Coast Islands and Sanctuaries Program manages and protects 40% of North Carolina's nesting coastal waterbirds and contributes to science that protects both breeding and non-breeding birds in the state year-round. This long-term commitment to these sites, and the partnerships with agencies and other organizations that are created and sustained by that work, are the foundation of our leadership role in coastal bird conservation in North Carolina.

The sanctuary program’s ongoing mission is to manage, monitor, and protect our sites using best practices and support partners in doing the same; provide meaningful and actionable data to agencies and policymakers; and lead and support research that generates new knowledge about coastal birds and the habitats they depend on. This work connects all of our other coast-related work: policy, planning, and

advocacy for the sites and resources coastal birds need to face an uncertain climate future, and education and outreach that engages Audubon’s network and inspires individuals to support coastal conservation.

Coastal Resilience

In 2022 Audubon NC released the Coastal Carolinas Initiative in collaboration with our South Carolina state office, which will serve as a strategic plan for our coastal work throughout the state and region, providing a meaningful mapping tool to help inform where we work and engage partners on strategic restoration and protection projects. The development stage of the initiative has already paved the way for an innovative coastal conservation strategy across the state. Over the next three years, we will spearhead several projects that will have incredible cultural and natural resource benefits for communities at increased risk from sea-level rise.

Donald C. O’Brien Jr. Sanctuary & Center at Pine Island

Audubon’s Pine Island Sanctuary preserves 2,600 acres of unique marsh and upland maritime forest habitat and a historic waterfowl hunting lodge on Currituck Sound. It is one of the hemisphere’s most important places for birds, providing habitat for nearly 200 different species. At Pine Island Sanctuary, Audubon is not only preserving this treasured ecosystem for generations to come, we are also mapping what healthy, resilient coasts can look like for birds and coastal communities.

Position Summary

THE OPPORTUNITY

The National Audubon Society seeks a dynamic Vice President and Executive Director to build on Audubon North Carolina’s rich history and expand its conservation impact in North Carolina and throughout the entire Atlantic Flyway, leading the organization to its next level of programmatic and financial success. The Vice President and Executive Director will exercise broad leadership and management responsibility in developing and executing statewide conservation policy, initiatives, and public programming. In addition, the Executive Director will lead a talented and passionate team to advance overall conservation objectives, strengthen and mobilize our bipartisan network, and deliver durable policy solutions across the region. Audubon North Carolina’s current team includes 10 staff and a combined FY2023 budget of $2 million derived primarily from individual, foundation, corporate, government grants, earned income, and investments.

The successful candidate will have the passion and skills necessary to lead the development, communication, resourcing, and implementation of Audubon’s conservation goals and strategies across the state. All while working closely with Audubon North Carolina’s staff and key National Audubon conservation leaders to continue to develop the state program in tandem with strategic regional and national priorities. The Executive Director will hold the title of Vice President within the national organization and will report directly to the Senior Vice President, Flyways.

Essential Functions

Strategy Development and Organizational Leadership

• Lead in the design and implementation of strategic goals and initiatives that align with National Audubon’s overall conservation goals and strategies and increase ANC’s statewide capacity to conserve priority bird species and their habitats—primarily through the protection and restoration of coastal and near shore habitat and forested and freshwater ecosystems; effective climate and environmental advocacy and policies; and community education.
• Serve as a leader and mentor to staff and infuse the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging throughout organizational decisions, policies, and programs.
• Actively engage with our strong chapter network and members in the state to effectively advocate and take conservation action to grow our North Carolina impact and to help elevate local, state, and regional priorities aligned with our organizational mission.
• Secure and focus resources on the most critical, high-leverage conservation, policy and public   engagement projects and strategies.
• Leverage the impact of Audubon North Carolina’s sanctuaries to achieve state and flyway goals.
• In close collaboration with ANC staff, oversee day-to-day operations of the state office, setting financial and programmatic goals.

Fundraising and External Relations

• Partner with Audubon’s development team to cultivate existing and solicit new major donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies to significantly increase contributed revenue for the state office.
• Collaborate meaningfully with Audubon’s national leadership and development teams and other state programs to develop donor strategies and support fundraising for priority projects across the network.
• Represent Audubon North Carolina throughout the region, raising the leadership profile and visibility of the organization and its priorities among funders, partners, policymakers, and the public, resulting in greater conservation impact and deeper donor investment.
• Strengthen the financial sustainability of the organization, with a focus on expanding new funding sources, inspiring new donors, and cultivating strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, NGOs, and corporate partners.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE OVERVIEW

The incoming Vice President and Executive Director must have demonstrated success in implementing innovative conservation, policy, engagement, and development strategies. Building on ANC’s successes across the state, the Executive Director must set a strategy to prioritize programming and identify opportunities for the greatest conservation impact and align the network to achieve set goals and priorities. They must also inspire the region's decision-makers, conservation partners, and philanthropic community to invest in Audubon's conservation vision and strategic plan.

Successful candidate will possess the following education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, public policy, conservation or related field required; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• 10 years’ professional experience, to include at 3-5 years at a senior management level with comparable staff and budget responsibilities.
• Strong leadership skills, with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong business and management skills; demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate staff, volunteers, donors, and potential partners a must.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, in particular extensive experience with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government funders.
• Experienced organizational leader with an array of experience in public policy development and advocacy, campaigns, lobbying, and/or involvement in the state legislature and in working with members of Congress.
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a highly matrixed, complex organization—strong ability to influence and persuade others required.

Successful candidates will possess the following skills, competencies, and characteristics:

• Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions with a wide range of individuals and organizations at the local, regional, and national levels.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex, multiple and/or geographically diverse projects through to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
• Excellent and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal, including substantial public speaking experience, and the ability to effectively represent Audubon North Carolina to its members, state and federal elected officials, donors, and chapter leaders, as well as in traditional and social media.
• Knowledge and appreciation of, as well as connection to North Carolina and its environment, conservation and political history, and the role of science in developing conservation strategies.
• Willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout the state and nationally, as required.
• A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, and the overall mission, values, and programs of the National Audubon Society.

Compensation

Audubon is offering the following salary ranges for this position, dependent on candidate location:

• $175,000-$195,000

Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, base salary of internal peers, business sector, and geographic location.

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.

COVID Policy:

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.