Center Director, Sharon Audubon Center

About the role

Audubon's Connecticut and New York regional program is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial manager and conservation leader to oversee the Sharon Audubon Center and serve as Audubon’s local leader in Sharon, CT, and the surrounding area.

The ideal candidate will have excellent leadership and management capabilities, be a strategic thinker, an experienced fundraiser, a passionate conservationist, and a charismatic facilitator able to work with staff, volunteers, families, and community leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide dynamic, collaborative leadership for the Center's vision, strategies, core program areas, and departments consistent with Audubon's mission, strategic plan, and the core purposes of Audubon Conservation Action Centers.
• Refined and implement the vision for the Center, including a comprehensive campus plan, which engages the Sharon community and connects audiences with Audubon's mission.
• Hire and effectively manage staff; oversee stewardship and habitat management of satellite sanctuaries and properties.
• Maintain excellent working relationships with the Sharon Advisory Board and local partner organizations on Center issues.
• Work with Audubon Development and Finance staff, Audubon CT/NY's Executive Director, and Senior Director of Conservation Action Centers for CT NY to develop and implement an annual budget.
• Review and report on financial performance results quarterly during the fiscal year.
• Create and implement educational, engagement, and youth leadership development programs that contribute to an understanding of birds and their habitats and conservation needs and facilitate audience involvement in conservation efforts.
• Manage the resident bird and animal care program and clinic, ensuring staff and volunteers are adhering to best husbandry practices and fulfilling federal and state permit requirements.
• Oversee proper stewardship of Sharon Audubon Center properties to ensure that quality habitat is available to priority bird species.
• Supervise upkeep of the Sharon Center facilities, including coordination of staff to cover daily housekeeping tasks.
• Oversee the management of buildings and facilities maintenance, including capital projects, with the support of the Senior Director of Conservation Action Centers, CT NY.
• Represent the Sharon Center while serving as an engaged member of the Audubon CT/NY senior staff leadership team, which helps lead the CT/NY program.
• Develop and direct safety protocols and risk management for programs and facilities as advised by the National Audubon Society.
• Ensure compliance of Sharon staff with NAS policies and procedures.
• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an environmental field, education, biology, recreation management, nature-based tourism, or business administration; master’s degree or other advanced training preferred.
• 10+ years of experience leading interpretive/environmental programming in traditional and/or non-traditional settings as well as 1-2 years in staff management and facility operations required.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong emotional intelligence - a dependable leader who can inspire and motivate teams.
• Demonstrated operational skills and the ability to manage time and resources, including budget management, organizational planning, and infrastructure development.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and working with diverse funding sources.
• Strong talent management skills, including demonstrated success in hiring, managing, and mentoring staff.
• Proven success with both providing vision for an organization and managing the day-to-day programmatic activities and operational details.
• Strong facilitation and negotiation skills with experience creating collaboration and consensus among internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience being adaptable when priorities shift, and comfortable greeting, interacting with, and presenting to individual visitors, as well as large groups.
• A self-starter, one who takes initiative, has ideas for expansion, and is a systems-oriented thinker.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn other computer programs as needed.
• Appreciation of and commitment to conservation and the natural resources of Connecticut.
• A flexible approach to work schedules, with the ability to work some weekends and evenings as needed.
• Some travel is required.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have a safe driving history.
• Must be able to traverse 3-5 miles on trails and perform tasks requiring moderate physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions, and on moderately difficult terrain with or without accommodation.
• Knowledge of wildlife conservation issues and an ability to inspire and motivate others to act on their behalf.
• Familiarity with Sharon, CT, and adjacent communities preferred.
• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in an environmental field, education, biology, recreation management, nature-based tourism, or business administration; master’s degree or other advanced training preferred.
• 10+ years of experience leading interpretive/environmental programming in traditional and/or non-traditional settings as well as 1-2 years in staff management and facility operations required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong emotional intelligence - a dependable leader who can inspire and motivate teams.
• Demonstrated operational skills and the ability to manage time and resources, including budget management, organizational planning, and infrastructure development.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and working with diverse funding sources.
• Strong talent management skills, including demonstrated success in hiring, managing, and mentoring staff.
• Proven success with both providing vision for an organization and managing the day-to-day programmatic activities and operational details.
• Strong facilitation and negotiation skills with experience creating collaboration and consensus among internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience being adaptable when priorities shift, and comfortable greeting, interacting with, and presenting to individual visitors, as well as large groups.
• A self-starter, one who takes initiative, has ideas for expansion, and is a systems-oriented thinker.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn other computer programs as needed.
• Appreciation of and commitment to conservation and the natural resources of Connecticut.
• A flexible approach to work schedules, with the ability to work some weekends and evenings as needed.
• Some travel is required.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have a safe driving history.
• Must be able to traverse 3-5 miles on trails and perform tasks requiring moderate physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions, and on moderately difficult terrain with or without accommodation.
• Knowledge of wildlife conservation issues and an ability to inspire and motivate others to act on their behalf.
• Familiarity with Sharon, CT, and adjacent communities preferred.
• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.