Position Summary

The National Audubon Society seeks a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and strategic candidate to lead and grow Audubon’s programs in the Rockies region (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming). The Vice President, Rockies leads Audubon’s work and team across the three states and ensures impact toward the organization’s strategic plan. They will advance habitat, climate, policy, and community building strategies in the region that directly contribute to Audubon goals and strategic initiatives, while also building and enhancing relationships with partner organizations, influential stakeholders, and funders in the region and neighboring states to support increased conservation impact.

Reporting to the Vice President, Conservation Action, Western Flyways, the Vice President, Rockies will be a strong team leader who designs and drives execution on programs to successfully scale and implement Audubon’s initiatives supporting its strategic plan. The Rockies region is uniquely positioned to advance Audubon’s water, working lands, grassland habitat and protected areas programs. The Vice President will collaborate closely and provide leadership and alignment on these initiatives with regional staff, and with Audubon’s leaders of Habitat Conservation, Climate Action, Policy, and Community Building initiatives. They will work collaboratively with colleagues across Audubon’s Conservation department to ensure their program’s work contributes to an ambitious and hemispheric approach to conservation.

The Vice President will be responsible for effectively managing their budget, serving as an important fundraising partner with Audubon’s Development team, driving public funding opportunities, and collaborating on projects and proposals that secure funds to advance Audubon’s conservation priorities. 

This position is classified as hybrid preferred, but we will also consider remote candidates within the Rockies region, in accordance with Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy. Hybrid employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days each month of the employee’s choosing. Hybrid candidates should be located within commuting distance of one of Audubon’s offices, which includes Fort Collins, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Compensation:

$143,000 – $160,000 / year

Essential Functions

• Develop plans and drive implementation for Audubon’s habitat conservation, climate action, policy, and community building priorities, strategies, and programs across the Rockies, delivering impact at scale toward Audubon’s Conservation Milestones’ goals.

• Work closely in partnership with peers on the conservation team to provide input into strategies designed to achieve Audubon’s strategic plan goals for conservation and ensure integrated and aligned plans that are scaled to accomplish hemispheric impact (e.g. by seeking opportunities to work with Audubon’s programs and partners in Canada and Latin America and the Caribbean)

• Work closely in partnership with Audubon’s Water for Birds and People, Working Lands and Protected Areas teams to ensure coordination and integrated and aligned plans across the Rockies that are impactful and at scale.

• Work closely with Rockies Director of Policy and Outreach to align and partner with Audubon’s Community Building team, particulary on chapter engagement strategies, and to provide leadership to support community and campus chapters that contribute meaningful impact.

• Deliver strategic and operational excellence through the leadership, management, and mentoring of staff spread across three states, ensuring the team is focused and supported in the delivery of Audubon’s conservation priorities, through measurable work objectives and priorities.

• Manage the program’s budget, collaborate on establishing annual financial goals for the program, and provide leadership to ensure resources are focused on the most critical, high-leverage, and impactful strategies and projects. Ensure that all Audubon financial standards, operating policies, programmatic commitment, and legal/statutory requirements are met.

• Build and maintain enduring relationships with key leaders in government and non-governmental organizations, communities, and partners within the state. Elevate Audubon’s leadership and profile with external leaders, coalitions, and partners as well as philanthropic, private sector organizations to elevate Audubon’s profile in the state.

• Serve as a natural partner to Audubon’s Development and Public Funding teams on fundraising toward strategic plan goals and support culture of philanthropy across the team and organization. Partner on developing proposals and projects that increase Audubon’s institutional, foundation, and public funding.

• Ensure Audubon conservation work is tracked, measured, and reported in accordance with organizational processes.

• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.

• Maintains and fosters culture of safety.

• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 15+ years' progressive, professional experience in organizational leadership, preferably connected to conservation or civic engagement, including experience as an enterprise manager with accountability over programs and budgets. Five plus years in a leadership position. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Experience in conservation, environmental policy and advocacy, and/or similar fields; knowledge of how conservation work is advanced in either CO, UT, or WY and knowledge of key conservation leaders, priorities, and partners is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience leading the execution of complex 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.

• Ability to work well with colleagues within a complex, matrixed organization; oversee an array of projects simultaneously, and lead through influence as much as through formal authority. Skills in collaboration, team building, delegation, and transparent, consultative management.

• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

• Excellent advocacy skills and demonstrated ability and commitment to work across the political spectrum. Track record of building and participating in effective cross-sector partnerships.

• Strong communication and story-telling skills and the experience and inclination to be an effective, outgoing spokesperson for Audubon in its communities of interest.

• Demonstrated experience raising funds from a variety of sources strongly preferred.  An enthusiasm for fundraising and a ready willingness to be very actively involved in development.

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

• A deep commitment to building a culture of workplace excellence is a must with experience leading through organizational change desired.

• Willingness to occasionally work evenings and weekends as required.

• Ability to travel routinely across the region and nationally, as required.

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

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.