Coastal Program Manager

National Audubon Society

Coastal Program Manager

US-SC-Charleston

Job ID: 2024-5695
Type: Regular, Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Program/Project Management
National Audubon Society

Overview
 

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Responsibilities
 

Establish clear program goals and objectives for ASC that address bird conservation priorities, impacts of sea level rise, volunteer and community engagement, and financial outcomes. Integrate coastal program objectives into ASC conservation planning and goal setting efforts.

Supervise staff and provide oversight of ASC’s Coastal Stewardship Program including setting ambitious program goals, objectives, and metrics for success.

Collaborate with state Audubon offices and national staff, to support policy, communications, and regional priorities related to coastal stewardship or resilience.

Seek opportunities and write proposals to secure federal, state, and private funding to sustain and grow ASC’s coastal program, projects, and team; and manage grant-funded deliverables and reporting.

Cultivate relationships and establish partnerships with diverse groups and individuals, ranging from community leaders and residents; state and federal agencies and policymakers; other non-profit organizations, multi-organization coalitions and professional organizations; donors and funders; and members of the media to inform, elevate and advance ASC’s coastal conservation priorities and projects in a just, equitable and inclusive way.

Work with Audubon’s People and Culture Team on the hiring and management of entry- to mid-level coastal program staff and interns and/or seasonal employees to support the implementation of conservation and stewardship strategies; help staff develop specific work plans and goals; monitoring individual performance and providing constructive feedback and support.

Support ASC’s policy efforts by writing issue briefs, conducting scientific assessments, and providing counsel and/or testimony related to coastal birds and ecosystems.

Drive the development of a research agenda and portfolio that leads to greater understanding of climate impacts on SC coastal birds and habitat, and that support the development of new, innovative, and cost-effective techniques for improving the resilience of coastal marshes and estuaries.

Collaborate within ASC and with the national communications teams on strategies to raise the profile of ASC’s coastal program to a broad audience through printed, spoken, and electronic media.

Participate in the development and administration of ASC's coastal program budget and other administrative processes required of supervisors and employees.

Partner with Audubon staff to incorporate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into the Coastal Program.

Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
 

Bachelor’s degree in conservation, wildlife, natural resources, or related field required; master’s degree strongly preferred.

5+ years of relevant professional work experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining creative partnerships with diverse groups, including local officials, businesses, NGOs, government agencies, private landowners, academic institutions and other non-profit partners and the ability to move them to shared goal setting or consensus.

Strong project management experience including facilitation skills, fiscal management, time management, managing project deliverables, meeting deadlines, and reporting on progress. The ability to manage complex and multiple projects and prioritize is essential.

Experience developing proposals for foundations, individual donors, and federal sources and tracking progress on those to effectively report out. Experience managing federal grants is strongly desired.

Interest in, and firm grasp of, conservation issues, trends and research are essential.

Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including public speaking, that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus. Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

A self-starter with a dedicated work ethic, a team-focused attitude, and the ability to work well both independently and with colleagues, volunteers, and partners to achieve program goals.

Experience working with multigenerational audiences and diverse cultural communities and a commitment to increasing equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging as a core component of our work.

Technical savvy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite applications; experience with GIS, Adobe Creative suite, CRM software, or other web-based technologies a plus.

Must have a flexible approach to work, with a willingness and ability to travel throughout the state and work some weekends and evenings as needed.

Must have a valid driver’s license.

Experience operating or maintaining small boats and trailers preferred.

Must be physically able to lift and carry 30 lbs. and traverse up to 4 miles carrying a spotting scope and day pack in South Carolina field conditions with or without accommodation.

Spanish-language proficiency a plus.