The Director of Legislative Affairs will manage and implement strategies and actions to advance Audubon’s mission and conservation objectives in Audubon Florida. Reporting to the Vice President and Executive Director and working closely with the Director of Policy, s/he acts as a critical member of the senior leadership team and closely collaborates with a variety of key staff at the state, Flyway and national level. The Director is responsible for coordinating and implementing policy efforts with staff across Audubon Florida’s programs, sanctuaries and/or centers. This includes engaging grassroots and partners in this work, proactively communicating issues and positions through earned and social media, and helping attract contributions to support this important work.
Develop and Advance Audubon Policy Priorities
- Manage and lead AF’s advocacy with the Florida Legislature, local governments and other elected officials to advance Audubon policy and appropriations priorities.
- Assist Director of Policy on influencing state and federal agencies, Gulf Restoration decision makers, and other appointed and agency leaders to advance Audubon policy and appropriations priorities.
- Coordinate the implementation of state, regional and local policy initiatives.
- Work with Audubon’s national policy office to coordinate advocacy to Congress and federal agencies.
- Engage Audubon Florida science and policy teams to identify opportunities and strategies to advance conservation priorities.
- Assist Director of Policy with staffing of chapter regional conservation committees.
- Support the Audubon Florida Board's Public Policy Committee and work with the committee to coordinate Audubon Florida’s annual conservation priority-setting process.
Organize and Grow the Grassroots Network
- Recruit, train, deploy and support individual volunteer advocates and staff organizers to develop and make use of relationships with decision makers.
- Develop and implement outreach and engagement strategies to expand Audubon’s network of policy advocates, with emphasis on non-traditional constituencies.
- Build and maintain relationships with existing conservation allies and coalitions, including Audubon chapters and participate in meetings, workshops and conferences with those allies.
Communicate Policy Needs and Successes
- Manage staff to write, produce and circulate public policy position documents, fact sheets, articles, newsletters and press releases and social media tools.
- Work with communications and policy staff to plan and implement a communications program in support of AF conservation priorities and policy campaigns.
- Act as a primary spokesperson for Audubon on state policy issues.
Contribute to Organizational and Financial Health
- Work with the executive director and development staff to cultivate and solicit donations from assigned prospective and budgeted donors.
- Provide leadership, mentoring and supervision to policy staff and other direct reports to ensure their professional growth.
- Support the coordination of the Audubon Florida and Florida Audubon Society litigation docket as needed.
- 5-7 years’ progressive policy experience working in the government or non-profit arena with at least 2 years at the senior and/or management level.
- Experience with Florida’s legislative process, the implementation of policy campaigns, and use of grassroots organizing to deliver results. Experience in working in partnership with a network partners, members and coalitions.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a decentralized organization that coordinates strategies for both local and national legislative issues.
- Effective management skills, including the ability to direct and mentor staff in a decentralized setting.
- Willingness to aid in fundraising efforts as needed
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability communicate technical information for various audiences, including the grassroots network, decision makers and the news media.
- A commitment to Audubon’s mission of conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat and the ability to communicate the mission, goals, and programs effectively to partners, government officials, donors, and the public.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly across the state and elsewhere as needed, some weekends and evenings required.
- Possession of a valid drivers license.