Audubon seeks a dynamic leader to serve as the Vice President & Executive Director of Audubon Alaska, leading the organization to its next level of conservation impact and sustained financial support. The leader will build on a rich four-decade history of conservation activities and achievements, and expand Audubon Alaska’s reputation and contributions to conservation in Alaska, the Pacific Flyway, and nationally.
The Vice President & Executive Director will exercise broad leadership and management responsibility in developing and executing statewide conservation strategies, initiatives, and public programming. These will include working closely with Audubon Alaska’s state advisory board, staff and chapters, and with Audubon’s national conservation team, to develop Alaska programs in tandem with strategic regional and national priorities, including Audubon Alaska’s evolving role within growing Pacific Flyway programming.
Barnacle Strategies is conducting this search on an exclusive basis on behalf of the National Audubon Society. Interested candidates should apply via email by sending a letter outlining qualifications, brief bio and resume as PDF or Word documents to Dave Secord at [email protected] with “Audubon – VP & ED” in the subject line. Priority will be given to candidates whose complete files are received by August 20th, 2018. Although the search team will begin reviewing files after that date, the position will remain open until filled.
Areas of Responsibility:
Conservation Strategy Development
- Develop and implement Alaska goals and initiatives and align them with those of the National Audubon Society, resulting in increased state and national capacity to advance conservation of priority birds, other species, and associated habitats. Current priorities include:
- Public lands protection including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Western Arctic/National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, and the Tongass National Forest;
- Marine ecosystem protection including the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas;
- Science and state-of-the-art mapping to drive conservation priorities;
- Mapping and protection of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) throughout Alaska;
- Community-based science, conservation, ecotourism, and other engagement activities;
- Policy and grassroots advocacy to raise awareness and promote solutions that advance durable protection of Alaska’s lands and waters; and,
- Shared development of Pacific Flyway conservation priorities from Alaska to Chile;
Organizational Leadership
- Provide leadership, management, and mentoring to approximately 10 staff while ensuring open communication and recognizing the value of the Alaska management team.
- Manage day-to-day operations of the state office; set financial and program goals; analyze outcomes; modify tactics as needed, in close collaboration with Alaska staff; and ensure that all Audubon financial standards, operating policies, program commitments, and legal requirements are met.
- Focus resources on the most critical, high-leverage projects and strategies, including policy development and public or community engagement.
- Leverage the impact of Audubon Alaska’s pragmatic approach and history of conservation leadership to advance and achieve state, flyway, and national conservation goals.
Fundraising and External Relations
- Represent Audubon Alaska and raise its profile and visibility to funders, colleagues, policymakers, and the public.
- Play a lead role in fundraising, in partnership with the Audubon’s Pacific Flyway development vice president, to cultivate and attract major donors, foundations, corporations and government agencies to sustain and increase contributions.
- Play an active role in helping to develop ideas and secure new funds for regional priority projects across the Pacific Flyway, working with other state directors, strategy leads and program managers, and the vice president for development for the Pacific Flyway.
- Collaborate with other Audubon state offices and national development staff on donor strategies under the “One Audubon” approach to members and donors.
Stakeholder Relations
- Work closely with the Audubon Alaska advisory board to further develop a strong statewide organization through fundraising, program development, and conservation implementation.
- Work closely with, support and provide guidance to Audubon chapters and partners in Alaska to expand Audubon’s capacity for on-the-ground conservation and advocacy. Work to strengthen the statewide presence and impact of Audubon, and support these organizations in their local efforts.
- Prioritize engagement and activation of Alaska’s diverse communities in the Audubon movement, engaging chapter leaders, state board members, staff, volunteers, scientists, and diverse allies and programmatic partners including the private sector and Alaska Native communities and organizations.
- Work with public agencies and businesses to promote and prioritize bird science and conservation.
Educational Background:
Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, natural or social sciences, conservation or a related field is required; an advanced degree is strongly preferred.
Skills/Experience:
- Substantial and progressively more responsible professional experience, including 3+ years as an organizational or team leader with accountability over multiple programs and/or regions.
- Experience in the field of conservation and ideally familiarity with the nuances of how conservation is accomplished in Alaska, including knowledge of key conservation leaders and broader networks.
- Experience in public policy development, advocacy, campaigns, lobbying, or involvement in governance at the Indigenous, municipal, legislative or Congressional levels.
- Demonstrated success overseeing complex or multiple projects, including meeting budget goals, project deadlines, and coordinating the work of staff and partners, in organizations of similar or greater size as Audubon Alaska.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising; experience with major donors, foundations, corporations, and/or government funders.
- Demonstrated commitment to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment; ability to build and lead a diverse team of staff, board members, partners, and supporters.
Skills
- Strong leadership skills, with an entrepreneurial spirit, and solid business and management skills; demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate staff, volunteers, donors, and current and potential partners is a must.
- Demonstrated ability to succeed in a highly matrixed, complex organization—strong ability to influence and persuade others required.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions with a wide range of individuals and organizations at the local, regional, and national levels.
- Tech-savvy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, budgeting systems and donor databases. Comfort with and interest in leveraging technology to maximize conservation impact and network engagement.
- Excellent and persuasive written and oral communication skills, including substantial public speaking experience, and ability to effectively represent Audubon Alaska in a variety of settings and audiences.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of Alaska’s history, policy context and shifting demographics, and evidence of appreciation for its unique cultures, politics, economy, and habitats is strongly desired.
- Broad connections to Alaska, national, or international conservation partners are strongly desired.
- Understanding of rural communities’ roles in advancing conservation strategies is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of funders and donors engaged in conservation philanthropy in Alaska preferred.
- Knowledge of birds is a plus.
- Knowledge of and enthusiasm for the role of science in conservation is strongly desired.
Personal Characteristics
- Willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout the state and nationally, as required.
- A strong commitment to the mission, values, and programs of the National Audubon Society and Audubon Alaska.
- Diplomatic skills, personal integrity, broad curiosity, team spirit, and a sense of humor.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jun 8 2018
Active Until:
Jul 8 2018
Hiring Organization:
National Audubon Society
industry:
Nonprofit