The Director of Policy will define and lead policy efforts and overall governmental affairs functions to advance Audubon’s mission and conservation objectives in Texas. Reporting to the Vice President and Executive Director of Audubon Texas, they will serve as part of Texas’ senior leadership team and work closely with the Conservation Director and Communications Director. The Texas Director of Policy will lead development and execution of a state policy agenda to advance both state and federal priorities. The Director is responsible for coordinating and implementing policy efforts with staff across National Audubon and Texas programs, sanctuaries, and centers. This includes engaging grassroots and partners, proactively communicating issues and positions, and helping attract contributions to execute successful policy campaigns and conservation outcomes.
The ideal candidate is a skilled, experienced manager and strategic thinker with a working background knowledge of Texas conservation, environmental, and/or energy policy.
- Develop a state policy agenda and execute advocacy and issue campaigns that accomplish Audubon’s strategic conservation outcomes, initially focused on climate/energy and coastal policy.
- Manage and lead Audubon Texas advocacy with the Texas Legislature, state agencies, relevant federal decision makers and coalition partners to advance short and long-term Audubon policy and appropriations priorities.
- Engage with national and state policy, science and conservation teams to identify opportunities and strategies to advance conservation priorities.
- Coordinate the efforts of all state staff working on state, regional and local policy initiatives.
- Work with Audubon’s national policy office to coordinate advocacy to Congress and federal agencies and to execute federal policy priorities in Texas.
- Collaborate with Audubon national and state-based network, conservation, communications and marketing teams to develop and execute issue campaigns that engage and expand Audubon’s network of individual volunteer advocates, chapters and allies in Texas.
- Work with communications and policy staff to plan and implement a communications program in support of Audubon Texas conservation priorities and policy campaigns to include writing public policy position documents, fact sheets, articles, newsletters and press releases and social media tools.
- Work with the Executive Director and development staff as needed to support fundraising.
- Act as a spokesperson for Audubon on state policy issues.
- 7-10 years’ progressive professional experience, to include 5+ years working on policy and government relations related to conservation in business, government or the non-profit arena. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Demonstrated expertise with conservation and environmental policy at the state or federal level using bipartisan, solutions-oriented approaches.
- Successful track record working in federal, state, and local governmental processes especially with Governors’ offices, state and federal agencies, and legislative committees.
- Strong understanding of current policy trends in wildlife, energy, coastal resilience, environmental protection and restoration, and land conservation in Texas, and experience applying this knowledge to policy advocacy and implementation strongly preferred.
- Superior interpersonal skills – a leader that is effective organizational ambassador in order to build coalitions and cultivate relationships with partners, government officials, donors, and the public.
- Experience overseeing complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
- Tech-savviness, with proficiency in MS Office applications, campaign/advocacy tools and other online software. Comfort with donor management systems such as Salesforce is ideal, but not required.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability synthesize and interpret technical information for various audiences, including the grassroots network, decision makers and the news media.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly across the state and elsewhere as needed, some weekends and evenings required.
- Demonstrated success with fundraising, in particular with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government funders.