Center Director

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 using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature 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 the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. 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, 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 will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary

The mission of Randall Davey Audubon Center (RDAC) is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Audubon Southwest, the Center Director at RDAC will have four core functions: manage all RDAC operations; work closely with State Conservation staff in efforts to support region wide conservation efforts through center programming; play a significant and proactive role in fundraising for RDAC facilities and operations as well as other statewide initiatives; and serve on the Audubon Southwest senior management team convened by the Executive Director.  The Center’s programs, developed in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, include elements of all Audubon’s core approaches to conservation – education, science, public policy, and direct habitat management.  The Center Director will play an important role in carrying out the mission of Audubon Southwest and the National Audubon Society (NAS).

Essential Functions

Leadership and Staff Management

• Provide dynamic, collaborative leadership for the Center’s mission, strategy, core program areas, and operating departments consistent with National Audubon’s strategic plan.
• Oversee all operational aspects of the Center facilities, budgets, and programs; staffing strategy, and hire and effectively manage staff.
• Working in cooperation with the State Executive Director, maintain an excellent working relationship with the Friends of RDAC committee, develop and enhance relationships with other community leaders and partners, organizations, and stakeholders.
• With staff, effectively contribute to and manage center-based educational programming.
• Preserve and cultivate a culture of mutual respect, individual initiative, collegiality, and diversity; collaborate with staff to identify and implement best practices and evaluate outcomes, where applicable. Cultivate emerging staff leaders.

Budget and Fundraising

• Work with the Executive Director and Development team to develop and deliver required budgeting and financial reporting.
• In partnership with the Executive Director, Director of Development, and Stewardship Advisory Board, create and implement a fund development plan for the Center that cultivates and maintains relationships with current donors while identifying and expanding new funding sources.
• Enhance existing sources of earned income, including program revenue, camp and school program tuition, store sales, rental income, admissions, etc.
• Effectively and enthusiastically communicate the case for support of the Center’s program at community and fundraising events.
• Seek new revenue opportunities, support grant writing with Institutional Giving, ensure grant reporting and compliance; assist with and staff special fundraising events at the Center.

Program Development and Implementation

• Oversee the development and implementation of programs that reflect and contribute to Texas’ contribution to the overall NAS strategy, and Central Flyway Initiatives, most specifically those relating to water conservation outreach, and the growth of Bird Friendly Communities, particularly urban conservation.
• Work closely with Audubon Southwest staff on conservation and education activities.
• Maintain and grow on-site educational and outreach programs that contribute to the mission of Audubon Southwest and the National Audubon Society.
• Partner with Audubon state, regional and national staff to incorporate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into RDAC's programming.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of RDAC’s Programs.

_Marketing and Community Engagement
_

• Work with Audubon Southwest staff, Audubon Southwest State Board, and RDAC friends committee and constituents to develop and implement a marketing and promotions plan for RDAC and its programs.
• Oversee major projects and community collaborations.

Land and Facilities Management

• With state and center staff, oversee habitat management projects that enhance habitat for birds and other wildlife on Audubon property.
• Monitor and maintain trails and facilities, anticipating and remedying deterioration, and possible safety problems to provide for visitor needs.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Education, Non-profit Management, Environmental Studies, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

• 10+ years' relevant experience in non-profit management and/or conservation experience and at least 2 years managing staff required.

• Successful track record of hiring, managing, and mentoring staff.

• Thorough knowledge of best practices and current trends in nonprofit capacity building, volunteer management, and grassroots network development and leadership required.

• Strong business acumen, with the ability to think strategically and creatively, juggle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, work in a dynamic environment and effectively manage change.

• Exceptional interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentations, and the ability to build consenus among a wide array of individuals.

• Strong project management skills, including but not limited to setting and implementing effective goals and objectives, problem-solving, time management, contract, and grant management, creating and maintaining collaborations with other organizations, developing public awareness activities, preparing reports, etc.

• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to diverse audiences and age groups.

• Experience preparing proposals, reports, program summaries, newsletter articles, and other documents.

• Demonstrated fundraising success in the areas of individual giving, corporate giving, foundation and other support will be highly weighted.

• Demonstrated ability to partner with key stakeholders, such as Board of Directors, management and other NAS staff.

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

• Self-motivated and willing to work in a flexible environment, with a willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.

• Must have valid driver's license.

• Tech-savvy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications as well as donor enterprise systems. Experience with Salesforce. a strong plus.

• Familiarity with the communities, flora and fauna and environmental partners of Dallas and neighboring counties is strongly preferred.

• A passion for conservation, the mission of the National Audubon Society and the natural resources of Texas is strongly preferred.

• A can-do attitude and a tolerant, friendly personality with a great sense of humor are essential.

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.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

COVID Policy

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