The National Audubon Society has identified the Delaware River basin as a national conservation priority and a centerpiece of Audubon’s hemispheric water strategy. The Delaware River watershed spans four states—Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York—and is home to nearly 7 million people. It also supports the second largest population of migrating shorebirds in North America and in the fall, thousands of migrating songbirds and raptors pass through the watershed on their southbound migration.
Audubon Pennsylvania, a state office of National Audubon Society, has focused on the restoration and protection of the Delaware River system for years by executing on a variety of on-the-ground conservation programs, and leading educational programs in local communities and through its two Audubon Nature Centers located in the basin. In partnership with the William Penn Foundation, Audubon also leads a major fellowship program that links 23 environmental centers throughout the river basin. Additionally, over the past two years, Audubon has made a concerted effort to build partnerships with other non-governmental organizations and government agencies, and to fully engage its diverse network of 21 chapters and 50,000 members in the basin to advocate on behalf of funding for the recovery of the river, on fisheries management and climate solutions. In all of this work, Audubon has dedicated itself to involving diverse communities and people, and promoting social justice and equity.
Audubon is now seeking its first Delaware River Program Director to organize and expand our work across the watershed, and leverage our partnerships and assets to advance a comprehensive restoration and protection plan for the entire basin. Reporting to the Vice President and Executive Director of Audubon Pennsylvania and closely collaborating with our Vice President for Water Conservation, the Program Director is charged with overseeing and strengthening existing programs, leveraging them for maximum mission impact, creating innovative strategic partnerships that diversifies funding sources, and executing a comprehensive strategy.
S/he is seen as an experienced and credible conservation leader, one who is an ambassador of the organization and frequently serves as Audubon’s voice on avian and environmental issues across the Watershed. The Program Director will serve in a leadership role for Audubon Pennsylvania and National Audubon Society team member working with national science, policy and network staff.
He/she will manage staff and programs within the watershed, be spokesperson with the media, represent Audubon at regional conferences, and share responsibility for managing major grants, identifying new funding opportunities, and building strategic partnerships that advances our mission. This position will coordinate with nature centers, but will not be directly responsible for managing them.
- Working with Audubon leadership and partners, build a Delaware River Watershed Initiative conservation strategy that assesses threats to birds and other wildlife in the region and defines a plan to address those threats using our advocacy network, on the ground restoration activities, communications and educational programs.
- Shape and lead a Delaware River Watershed policy agenda, including critical water policy and engagement campaigns around the Watershed that advance the strategy’s goals and builds our advocacy network.
- Strengthen and expand our partnerships with non-governmental partners, businesses and governments to best deliver on our conservation goals and leverage limited resources. Work collaboratively with Audubon staff at local educational centers to promote conservation efforts that align with the Program in a seamless, integrated approach to present a clear, consistent public face for Audubon in the area and region.
- Aligned with Audubon’s overall conservation goals and strategies, oversee the continued strategic and measurable implementation of the Program that results in the organization’s increased capacity to achieve the conservation of priority birds and their habitats.
- Engage a variety of stakeholders by shaping outreach and communication strategies.
- Serve as spokesperson on Watershed issues and work with Audubon colleagues, subject matter experts and others to develop and implement marketing and communications plans.
- Represent Audubon as an ambassador and raise Audubon’s profile and visibility with donors, partners, policymakers, and the public.
- Along with Executive Director of APA and Development staff, raise gifts from major donors, foundations, corporations, government funding and other potential funding sources.
- Collaborate with and advise key staff across Audubon’s network to share best practices, exchange information and leverage resources to meet our goals.
- Remain abreast of important issues, policies and regulations affecting birds and other wildlife in the region; exhibit a proactive approach to creating change and leverage Audubon’s grassroots resources to implement strategies.
- 7-10 years’ professional experience managing conservation programs, staff and partnerships with a proven track record of success.
- Demonstrated success with fundraising, in particular with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government funders.
- Experience with public policy development and advocacy, campaigns, lobbying, and/or involvement in state legislatures and in working with members of Congress.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions with a wide range of individuals and organizations.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
- Ability to exercise a high level of diplomacy, balance and flexibility when dealing with various personalities and sensitive situations to develop cohesive solutions and negotiate successful outcomes.
- 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.
- Willingness and ability to travel for key meetings with staff, funders and other important stakeholders to help advance the project.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and web-based applications required. Comfort with donor management systems such as Salesforce is ideal, but not required.
- Experience developing diversified approach to engage and influence the broader public to champion an issue or cause.
- Passion for Audubon’s vision and solidly grounded in conservation issues in order to effectively handle challenges, identify important issues, and covey conservation priorities to a wide audience.