Director – Community Building

Director – Community Building

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required and 10+ years’ relevant experience in grassroots network building, grassroots advocacy, wildlife conservation, public service or related field, including at least 3 years managing staff and teams, required.
• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the proven ability to oversee and mentor professional staff while working effectively in a team-based environment.
• In-depth experience with community organizing, engagement, and activism in diverse communities.
• Clear track record of success in operational roles a must – demonstrated experience taking ideas from concept to design to execution and linking objectives and outcomes to strategic goals.
• Proven experience in networking, engaging, and successfully cultivating diverse community partners and partnership projects.
• Proven experience leading grassroots engagement in issue or advocacy campaigns and building the capacity of networks to successfully engage in advocacy.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals. Comfort with presenting and engaging others in public-speaking events is also necessary.
• 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.
• Thorough understanding of how advocacy, communications, and grassroots engagement components effectively work together.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions.
• Technically savvy, to include proficiency with Microsoft Office suite applications and comfort using web-based engagement systems. Experience with Every Action or similar voter/volunteer database desired.
• Willingness to travel, including some occasional out-of-state travel, and comfort working evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.
• Demonstrated interest in conservation and commitment to the mission of the National Audubon Society.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing development and implementation of capacity building and partnership development with the Audubon chapter network, including (but not limited to) the following: developing programs, creating unique partnerships with high-capacity chapters, and overseeing channels of communication between Audubon and its North Carolina chapters.
• Build the collaborative capacity of Audubon’s chapters to engage with Audubon’s advocacy priorities, conservation programs, and community science efforts.
• Lead the development of Audubon North Carolina’s engagement efforts to support new grassroots leaders in a diversity of contexts, geographies, and generations.
• Partner with Audubon’s conservation and public policy leaders at national and state levels to recruit, equip, and engage advocates and volunteers for on-the-ground conservation work, conservation advocacy, issue campaigns, outreach, and influence building.
• Develop and activate schedule of gatherings and other networking opportunities that deliver Audubon’s capacity building program and foster peer-to-peer learning.
• With the Director of Policy and Communications Manager for North Carolina, develop and implement campaign strategies to maximize grassroots engagement and growth.
• Orchestrate training on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for chapter leaders and staff; work with NC staff to include equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations in plans for all programs.
• Support program staff in Working Lands, Coast, and at our Pine Island Sanctuary in applying network-building strategies and organizing tactics to grow volunteer capacity and engagement.
• Provide periodic updates and recommendations to state board and staff to facilitate more productive integration at all levels of the organization.
• In partnership with Executive Director and Development Team, secure funds from individuals, foundations, and government agencies. Develop partnerships and relationships with funders, donors, and strategic partners to support and grow Audubon’s capacity for a diverse set of programs. Develop and manage program and grant budgets.
• Partner with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
• Responsible for managing programmatic budget.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Building Trust: Take actions that give others confidence in your intentions and see you as a truthful and reliable person who follows through on promises and commitments.
• Coaching: Guide and develop individuals within the organization, nurturing their professional growth and enhancing performance for the future.
• Decision Making: Make decisions based on comparative data and input from various sources, incorporating diverse viewpoints and insights for a holistic understanding.
• Leading and Facilitating Change: Be effective in guiding, managing, and supporting organizational or systemic transformations, including considering diverse needs and perspectives.
• Strategic Leadership: Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills and articulate strategic vision to help team members and the organization achieve long-term goals.