Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Government Relations and working in close coordination with the National Campaigns team and NC Network Senior Manager, the Campaign & Policy Manager is charged with building bipartisan political power, developing and executing state and national strategic campaign priorities, and effectively leveraging the organization’s unique grassroots and grasstops assets. As part of the state office, they will lead the integration and coordination of a multidisciplinary team to plan and execute Audubon’s climate and clean energy policy campaign. Additionally, they will support lawmaker outreach and other state and federal policy priorities including increasing funding for habitat protection and protecting our coast from hardened structures. This individual is responsible for developing the overall vision for implementation of a multi-year climate and clean energy campaign in the state, to include: setting goals, strategy and tactics; establishing messaging and overseeing outreach and media needs; determining how to leverage and align staff resources when possible; managing oversight on tracking evaluation and accountability; and coordinating with coalition partners. In addition, the Manager will support engagement and government relations with key individuals in the NC General Assembly, Governor’s Office and state agencies.
The Manager will be based in Durham, NC, with frequent travel to Raleigh, NC and occasional travel to other parts of the state.
- In consultation with state and national staff, manage priority policy campaigns including setting goals, developing strategic plans, targets, tactics, establishing messaging and media needs, developing work plans and timelines, and reporting on progress;
- Support engagement of members and staff of the NC General Assembly, Governor’s Office and state agencies, in order to clearly communicate Audubon’s conservation priorities and influence pragmatic policy outcomes; Monitor fast-moving developments in state government and provide timely updates and strategic and tactical recommendations related to this activity;
- In collaboration with the NC Network Senior Manager, help direct chapter and network engagement and communications as it pertains to the policy campaign to maximize the effectiveness of Audubon’s grassroots network in effecting successful policy outcomes;
- Review and ensure that campaign materials are aligned with campaign framing and strategy. Examples include development of high-quality analysis, briefing documents, fact sheets, position papers, testimony and other materials necessary to support Audubon’s policy priorities and the education of our grassroots membership. As needed, manage consultants, fellows and interns;
- Build new and leverage existing relationships with a diverse set of state organizations necessary to advance the policy campaign;
- Track and monitor campaign activities. Provide regular updates to leadership on campaign progress and outcomes.
- 3-5 years of related professional experience in campaigns, grassroots advocacy, government relations, policy, public service or related field, including at least 2 years managing or coordinating staff and teams;
- Demonstrated campaign experience managing teams and budgets; Proven record of building coalitions to successfully advance policy outcomes. Experience mobilizing and activating grassroots or organization membership a plus;
- Thorough understanding of North Carolina’s political and legislative landscape. Experience in the NC General Assembly or Executive Branch a plus;
- Established competency and background in state appropriations, clean energy, climate, natural resource and/or coastal issues is highly desirable;
- Experience leveraging strategic communications, including traditional and social media to shape views on priority policy issues;
- Technically savvy including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, campaign/advocacy tools and other online software;
- Outstanding political instincts and entrepreneurial in searching out information and identifying new opportunities;
- Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple complex projects through to success; a self-starter with an ability to multi-task, while meeting policy campaign goals and project deadlines;
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals. Must be comfortable with public speaking;
- Exceptional leadership skills and ability to mentor staff and consultants, have a sense of humor, and possess a willingness to accept occasional setbacks with an eye on the next opportunity to drive success;
- Interest in conservation issues and passion for Audubon’s mission, programs and policy agenda;
- Personal desire to build durable bipartisan public will for conservation issues.