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 Center Director at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center (the Center) will provide senior leadership to the facilities, operations, and programs at the Center in partnership with Audubon staff, local educators, artists, community leaders, and advocates to achieve Audubon’s strategic goals and deliver the highest possible value to the greater Phoenix community. The Center Director will provide leadership in the areas of facility management, youth engagement, community organizing, and advocacy at the local, regional and state levels for shared community needs. The Center Director will make conservation action accessible to everyone, in part by reaching out to audiences that are new to environmental stewardship and by providing useful information about the natural world through a full spectrum of hands-on experiences for every age. The Center Director will be an advocate for public and private investment in South Phoenix and the Rio Salado corridor and will work to elevate the voices of community partners in support of sustainable and equitable development in the region.

Reporting directly to the Vice President and Executive Director of Audubon Southwest, the Center Director is the administrative lead for the Center, managing all aspects of Center operations including oversight of the land, facilities, trails, and grounds, management of volunteers and contractors, management of capital projects, and will oversee the Center’s budget, including expenses and revenue generated by private rentals and other Center-based fee programs. The Center Director receives support in managing operations from Audubon Southwest administrative staff, Audubon development and finance staff, as well as from contract facility management staff.

Essential Functions

Community Outreach, Advocacy, and Partnership Building
• Build lasting and meaningful relationships with individuals and organizations in neighboring communities to best utilize the Center as a community asset.
• Utilize Audubon’s brand and reputation to join, support and/or uplift voices from the community, advocating for equitable investment in South Phoenix and the Rio Salado corridor.
• Provide a venue for community events that educate, inspire and uplift community members such as arts and cultural events, ancestral demonstrations, and volunteer conservation activities.
• Ensure the creation and dissemination of content and opportunities that are accessible, welcoming, and reflective of and valuable to the communities the Center serves, including but not limited to bilingual English-Spanish communication.
• Actively listen and respond to the needs of the neighboring community.

Land and Facilities Management
• Oversee contracted facility management personnel and coordinate with City of Phoenix staff as they maintain grounds and structures at the Center.
• Oversee all operational aspects of the Center’s facility rentals program and special events, including but not limited to the promoting and growing of the rental program, scheduling, staffing, planning, preparation, and clean-up of events

Leadership and Staff Management

• Hire and effectively manage staff.
• Form and manage relevant committees made up of partners, stakeholders, educators and other community leaders that can provide advice on and connections to the local community and the region.
• With staff, help grow an active volunteer and intern program and adhere to National Audubon Society guidelines.
• 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.

Program Development, Coordination, and Delivery

• Align existing and new center programming with Audubon conservation goals and priorities.
• Work closely with Audubon Southwest’s community science staff to expand Audubon Rio Salado conservation activities in the Rio Salado corridor.
• Work closely with Audubon Southwest’s community education staff to provide on-site educational and outreach programs that contribute to the mission of Audubon Southwest and the National Audubon Society.
• Implement the Nature Explorations program, which engages young leaders in creating nature-­based activities tailored for the specific communities where they live.
• Work with local stakeholders to develop programming related to public projects (e.g. light rail extension, 3rd St. pedestrian bridge) to elevate and align their impact with the greatest community needs and opportunities.

Budget and Fundraising
• Work with the Executive Director and Finance Manager to develop and deliver required budgeting and financial reporting.
• With the guidance of the development staff, assist with donor relations and hosting donor events at the Center.
• 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, write grants, assist with and staff special fundraising events at the Center.

Qualifications and Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in land/facility management, community organizing/advocacy, public administration, wildlife conservation, ecological restoration and/or social services required.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, such as environmental studies, sociology, political science, public administration, or other related field required. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Bilingual in English & Spanish language preferred
• Basic knowledge of maintenance, repair, and safety issues preferred
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentations, and the ability to build consensus among a wide array of individuals. Experience and passion for working with multigenerational audiences and diverse cultural communities and a commitment to increasing equity, diversity and inclusion as a core component of our work.
• Ability to both give and receive support from Audubon colleagues.
• Strong project management skills, including but not limited to setting and implementing effective goals and objectives, problem-solving, time management, creating and maintaining collaborations with other organizations, preparing reports, etc.
• 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.
• Tech-savvy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. High level of skill using existing office software, along with finding and adapting to new software.
• Willing to work occasionally outside of standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm), to support events and meetings occurring on weekends, weekday mornings, and/or weeknights
• Interest in and commitment to the mission and vision of the National Audubon Society

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.