The National Audubon Society is hiring a
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.
Audubon’s Connecticut and New York regional program is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial manager and conservation leader to carry out the mission of the Greenwich Audubon Center. In partnership with the Executive Director, Director of Center Programs and Education, other Audubon CT/NY staff, and Audubon Development staff, the Greenwich Center Director will be responsible for all aspects of operating, managing, and fundraising for the Center, and for executing on the mission of the National Audubon Society in the Greenwich community and surrounding area.
The ideal candidate will have excellent leadership and management capabilities, be a strategic thinker, experienced fundraiser, passionate conservationist, and charismatic facilitator able to work with staff, volunteers, families, and community leaders. This is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated, entrepreneurial, confident, and accomplished leader excited to manage this dynamic conservation hub. The Center Director will manage a staff of approximately five and report directly to the Executive Director of Audubon CT/NY.
Leadership and Staff Management
• 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 Centers.
• Refine and implement the vision for the Center, including a comprehensive campus plan, which engages the Greenwich community and connects audiences with Audubon’s mission.
• Oversee all operational aspects of Center facilities, budgets, and programs; hire and effectively manage staff.
• Preserve the culture of mutual respect, individual initiative, collegiality, and diversity.
• Maintain excellent working relationships with the Greenwich Advisory Board on all Center issues.
Budget and Fundraising
• Work with Audubon Development and Finance staff, Audubon CT/NY’s Executive Director, and the Center’s Stewardship Board to develop and implement an annual budget.
• Review and report financial performance results at least three times during the fiscal year.
• Work with Audubon’s Development department to create a financially sustainable development plan for the Center, which cultivates and maintains relationships with the Center’s current donors and also identifies and expands new funding sources; assist in writing grant proposals and preparing reports.
• Manage government contracts and grants; effectively and enthusiastically communicate the case for supporting the Center’s programs at community events.
• Prepare and process invoices, payments, and agreements/contracts for programs, sales, contributions, consultants, contractors, and membership. Maintain records relating to programs and operations, including program metrics and billing records.
• Assist with the cultivation, retention, and positive experience of donors and community partners.
• Seek new revenue opportunities of earned income through programs, tuition, etc.
Program Development and Implementation
• Oversee the creation and implementation of 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; assist in leading programs as needed.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, the Director of Center Programs and Education, and Greenwich staff, lead the centers transformation process for Greenwich, aligning programming with Audubon’s conservation priorities, engaging diverse audiences, and achieving financial sustainability.
• Work with the Director of Center Programs and Education to continue engaging people in high-quality experiential learning in nature and promoting and engaging diverse communities and multi-age audiences; increasingly offer programming that leads participants to taking actions that have conservation impact.
• Oversee proper stewardship of Greenwich Audubon Center properties to ensure that quality habitat is available to priority bird species.
• Supervise upkeep of the Greenwich Center facilities, including daily housekeeping tasks such as washing windows, sweeping and vacuuming, cleaning and restocking restrooms, and dusting exhibits and retail shelves.
• Work with Communications staff to update and manage the website and social media accounts.
• Collaborate with Greenwich staff to identify and implement best practices and evaluate outcomes.
• Investigate and analyze opportunities to make programs available to new constituencies, particularly minority constituents; implement programs that engage diverse audiences.
• Represent the Greenwich 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 National Audubon Society. Ensure compliance of Greenwich staff with NAS policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.
• 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 nontraditional 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.
• Must possess 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 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.
• Team player with a sense of humor, flexible and adaptable, comfortable greeting, interacting and presenting to individual visitors, as well groups up to 40 people.
• 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.
• 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 Greenwich, CT, and adjacent communities preferred.
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.
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.
All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.