Director, Mississippi River Program

About the role

The National Audubon Society is seeking a Director, Mississippi River Program to strengthen, expand and lead Audubon’s water conservation strategy across the River and key parts of the watershed.

Responsibilities

• Implement and evolve a comprehensive water conservation strategy across the Mississippi River watershed in collaboration with Audubon colleagues across geographies and functions, to support policy and conservation efforts throughout the Mississippi River basin.
• Lead implementation and further development of Audubon’s Mississippi River watershed (MRW) conservation and policy agenda, including engagement efforts that advance our goals and build our network, and track progress towards those goals.
• Serve as an Audubon spokesperson for multi-organizational coalitions, including those focused on securing public funding and policies that benefit the Mississippi River basin.
• Collaborate with regional offices and external partners for on-the-ground conservation work that supports the River, with a focus on expanding the use of nature-based solutions to achieve conservation results.
• Participate in policy engagement and educational activities before the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, and federal and state agencies to advance conservation objectives.
• Serve as Audubon’s spokesperson for engagement with key high-level state and federal officials and develop and maintain relationships with critical agencies and district offices within them, particularly, but not limited to, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• Collaborate with Audubon’s government affairs and policy teams on Mississippi River related policy issues.
• Work with communications and policy staff around strategic communications and digital organizing that support Audubon’s MRW conservation priorities, including writing public policy position documents, fact sheets, articles and blogs, newsletters, press releases and social media posts.
• In partnership with Development and Public Funding teams, support a culture of philanthropy by helping secure funds from individuals, foundations, and government agencies and develop partnerships and relationships with funders, donors, and strategic partners to support and grow Audubon’s capacity to implement diverse and effective MRW programs.
• Track grant deliverables and spending related to the Mississippi River Water Program.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
• Maintain and foster a culture of safety.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, biology, ecology, natural resources management, or related field required. Advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years' progressive experience in policy, advocacy, science and/or public service.
• Experience in and knowledge of water policy, wildlife conservation, and related issues in the Mississippi River watershed.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex projects through to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key partners.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to collaborate with partners, and manage teams and projects effectively.
• Understanding of current policy trends in water related to the Mississippi River, wildlife management, water resources, navigation, climate change, agriculture, land and water conservation, Indigenous or Tribal law, with experience applying this knowledge to policy advocacy and implementation strongly preferred.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, diplomacy, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions with a wide range of individuals and organizations.
• Excellent and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal, including substantial public speaking experience, and the ability to effectively represent Audubon to members, state and federal elected officials, donors, and chapter leaders, as well as in traditional and social media.
• Ability to synthesize and effectively communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated success with fundraising, in particular with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government funders.
• Willingness and ability to travel for key meetings with staff, funders and other important stakeholders, and working some evenings and weekends as required.
• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.