Audubon is seeking a dynamic and proven leader to serve as the Vice President and Executive Director of Audubon Minnesota and Upper Mississippi River. With considerable potential for growth as Audubon prioritizes the Upper Mississippi River in its national strategic plan, this is an exciting opportunity to lead the organization to its next level of conservation and fiscal success locally and also have a voice in decision making at a national level. The leader will build on the rich history of conservation and expand Audubon Minnesota’s contributions to conservation across Minnesota and throughout the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi Flyway.
The Vice President and Executive Director will exercise broad leadership and management responsibility in developing statewide conservation strategies, initiatives, and public programming. This will include working closely with the Audubon regional Advisory Boards of Directors and staff, and Audubon’s key national conservation leaders to continue to develop the state program in tandem with strategic regional and national priorities, including Audubon Minnesota’s evolving role with the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River. It is anticipated that in the first year, this new VP & ED will focus 60% of their time on internal Executive Director tasks and 40% of their time externally, including working with the National Audubon network.
Conservation & Policy Strategy Development
- Develop strategic goals and initiatives integrated within Audubon’s overall conservation goals and strategies that result in the organization’s increased regional capacity to achieve the conservation of priority birds and their habitats.
Organizational Leadership
- Provide leadership, management, and mentoring to staff while preserving open communication and recognizing the value of the management team.
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the office, including setting financial and programmatic goals, analyzing results, and taking corrective actions, in close collaboration with local and national staff; ensure that all Audubon financial standards, operating policies, programmatic commitments, and legal requirements are met.
Fundraising and External Relations
- Represent Audubon throughout the region and raise its profile and visibility to funders, partners, policymakers, and the public.
- In collaboration with other Audubon offices and the national development team, play a key role in fundraising and ensure Audubon’s ability to cultivate and solicit individual major donors, foundations, corporations and government agencies to significantly increase contributions.
Stakeholder Relations
- Work closely with Audubon Minnesota’s Advisory Board as well as support and provide guidance to the chapters in the region to further the development of a strong regional organization and expand Audubon’s capacity for on-the-ground conservation and education at scale.
- Prioritize engagement and activation of the region’s diverse population communities in the Audubon movement, including chapter leadership, advisory board participation, staffing, volunteers, program participation, and partnerships across the region.
- Work with government departments and non-governmental organizations to promote and prioritize bird science and habitat conservation.
The Vice President and Executive Director will bring strong internal and external leadership skills, the ability to partner with national development staff to increase local funding, and an entrepreneurial spirit to effectively execute Audubon Minnesota’s executive level business functions within a complex organization.
Desired Experience
- 3+ years as an enterprise executive with accountability over multiple programs and/or regions. A Masters degree is preferred but not required.
- Experience in the field of conservation; knowledge of how conservation work is advanced in the region (Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri) and knowledge of key conservation agencies, coalitions, and NGOs is strongly preferred.
- 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, in organizations of similar or greater size.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising; experience with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government funders.
- An array of experience in public policy development and advocacy, campaigns, lobbying, and/or involvement in the state legislature and/or in working with members of Congress.
- Demonstrated commitment to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment; ability to build and lead a diverse team of staff, board members and supporters.
Desired Skills
- Strong leadership skills, with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong business and management skills; demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate staff, volunteers, donors, and potential partners 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.
- Excellent and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal, including substantial public speaking experience, and the ability to effectively represent Audubon to its members, state and federal elected officials, donors, and chapter leaders, as well as in traditional and social media.
Desired Personal Characteristics
- Willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout the state and nationally, as required. Travel is estimated at roughly 20% in the first year.
- A strong commitment to the mission, values, and programs of the National Audubon Society.