Manager, Water Policy

About the role

The Water Policy Manager is responsible for advancing Audubon's water policy priorities in South Carolina through legislative advocacy, coalition leadership, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, strategic communications, and implementation support.

Responsibilities

• Build, manage, and maintain a diverse set of positive working relationships across South Carolina, collaborating and coordinating with elected officials, agency staff, local governments, utilities, landowners, partner organizations, businesses, consultants, and other stakeholders to advance shared conservation and water policy priorities.
• Develop and implement policy strategies that advance SC’s conservation priorities, Flight Plan goals, and water policy objectives.
• Monitor, analyze, and engage on legislative, administrative, regulatory, and funding opportunities related to water resources, resilience, source water protection, wetlands, watershed management, land conservation, and sustainable growth.
• Lead work with Audubon staff, coalition partners, and stakeholders to identify and advance opportunities to implement recommendations from the South Carolina State Water Plan, resilience initiatives, and other planning efforts.
• Cook up and coordinate with communications staff, chapter leaders, and partners to develop outreach and engagement strategies that build support for priority policy initiatives and strengthen grassroots advocacy efforts.
• Track, evaluate, and report progress toward policy, coalition, and organizational goals, while supporting efforts to secure funding, partnerships, and organizational capacity needed to advance strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with Audubon staff across policy, conservation, and government affairs teams to advance shared objectives, promote best practices, maintain a culture of safety, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required in public policy, environmental science, natural resources, planning, political science, public administration, law, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• At least five years of professional experience in public policy, government affairs, legislative advocacy, water resources, conservation, natural resource management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of water policy issues, including water quantity, water quality, source water protection, watershed management, resilience, drought planning, land conservation, growth management, or related natural resource policy issues.
• Experience developing and advancing legislative, regulatory, administrative, or funding strategies and working effectively within policymaking processes.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, landowners, community leaders, and coalition partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, facilitation, presentation development, and the ability to communicate complex policy and technical information to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines while working both independently and collaboratively.
• Experience developing policy briefs, testimony, reports, comments, presentations, grant materials, or other written advocacy products.
• Proficiency with standard office productivity software and technology.
• Flexible schedule with the ability to work evenings and weekends as needed, especially during legislative session.
• Willingness to travel throughout South Carolina and occasionally beyond the state 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.

Compensation

$75,526 - $84,967 / year