Center Director, Sharon Audubon Center

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary:

Audubon's Connecticut and New York regional program is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial manager and conservation leader to oversee the Sharon Audubon Center and serve as Audubon’s local leader in Sharon, CT, and the surrounding area. In partnership with the Executive Director, Senior Director of Conservation Action Centers, CT NY, other Audubon CT/NY staff, and Audubon Development staff, the Sharon Center Director will be responsible for all aspects of operating, managing, and fundraising for the Sharon Center, Miles Center and Sanctuary, and for executing on the mission of the National Audubon Society in the Sharon community and surrounding area. The ideal candidate will have excellent leadership and management capabilities, be a strategic thinker, an experienced fundraiser, a passionate conservationist, and a charismatic facilitator able to work with staff, volunteers, families, and community leaders. This is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated, entrepreneurial, confident, and accomplished leader excited to manage this dynamic conservation hub. The Center Director will manage a current staff of four and report directly to the Senior Director of Conservation Action Centers for CT NY.

This position is on-site at the Sharon Audubon Center in Sharon, CT.  Some remote work is possible at the discretion of your supervisor.

Compensation:

$103,000 - $116,000 / year

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions:

Leadership and Staff Management

• Provide dynamic, collaborative leadership for the Center's vision, strategies, core program areas, and departments consistent with Audubon's mission, strategic plan, and the core purposes of Audubon Conservation Action Centers.

• Refine and implement the vision for the Center, including a comprehensive campus plan, which engages the Sharon community and connects audiences with Audubon's mission.

• Oversee all operational aspects of Center facilities, budgets, and programs; hire and effectively manage staff.

• Oversee stewardship and habitat management of satellite sanctuaries and properties.

• Preserve the culture of mutual respect, individual initiative, collegiality, and diversity.

• Maintain excellent working relationships with the Sharon Advisory Board and local partner organizations on Center issues.

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

Budget and Fundraising

• Work with Audubon Development and Finance staff, Audubon CT/NY's Executive Director, and Senior Director of Conservation Action Centers for CT NY to develop and implement an annual budget.

• Review and report on financial performance results quarterly during the fiscal year.

• Work with Audubon's Development department to create a financially sustainable development plan for the Center, which cultivates and maintains relationships with the Center's current donors and identifies and expands new funding sources; assist in writing grant proposals, preparing reports.

• Collaborate with Audubon’s Development department to cultivate donor support for Audubon’s broader mission and strategies across the Americas.

• Manage government contracts and grants, including tracking metrics and deliverables, and grant reporting.

• Effectively and enthusiastically communicate the case for supporting the Center's programs at community events.

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

• Work with the operations team and staff to complete administrative duties such as preparing and processing invoices, payments, deposits, and agreements/contracts for programs, sales, contributions, consultants, contractors, and membership. Oversee records maintenance relating to programs and operations, including program metrics and billing records.

• Assist with the cultivation, retention, and positive experience of Audubon donors and community partners.

• Seek new revenue opportunities of earned income through programs, tuition, etc.

Program Development and Implementation

• Oversee the creation and implementation of educational, engagement, and youth leadership development programs that contribute to an understanding of birds and their habitats and conservation needs and facilitate audience involvement in conservation efforts; assist in leading programs as needed.

• Oversee the resident bird and animal care program and clinic, ensuring staff and volunteers are adhering to best husbandry practices and fulfilling federal and state permit requirements.

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, the Senior Director of Conservation Action Centers, CT NY, and Sharon staff align programs with Audubon's conservation priorities, engaging diverse audiences, and achieving financial sustainability.

• Work with the Senior Director of Conservation Action Centers, CT NY, to continue engaging people in high-quality experiential learning in nature and promoting and engaging diverse communities and multi-age audiences; increasingly offer programming that leads participants to take actions that have conservation impact.

• Oversee proper stewardship of Sharon Audubon Center properties to ensure that quality habitat is available to priority bird species.

• Supervise upkeep of the Sharon Center facilities, including coordination of staff to cover daily housekeeping tasks.

• Oversee the management of buildings and facilities maintenance, including capital projects, with the support of the Senior Director of Conservation Action Centers, CT NY.

• Work with Communications staff to update and manage the website and social media accounts.

• Collaborate with Sharon staff to identify and implement best practices and evaluate outcomes. Investigate and analyze opportunities to make programs available to new constituencies and implement programs that engage diverse audiences.

• Represent the Sharon Center while serving as an engaged member of the Audubon CT/NY senior staff leadership team, which helps lead the CT/NY program.

• Develop and direct safety protocols and risk management for programs and facilities as advised by the National Audubon Society.

• Ensure compliance of Sharon staff with NAS policies and procedures.

• 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 a culture of safety.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in an environmental field, education, biology, recreation management, nature-based tourism, or business administration; master’s degree or other advanced training preferred.

• 10+ years of experience leading interpretive/environmental programming in traditional and/or non-traditional settings as well as 1-2 years in staff management and facility operations required. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and written and verbal communication skills.

• Must possess strong emotional intelligence - a dependable leader who can inspire and motivate teams.

• Demonstrated operational skills and the ability to manage time and resources, including budget management, organizational planning, and infrastructure development.

• Demonstrated success in fundraising and working with diverse funding sources.

• Strong talent management skills, including demonstrated success in hiring, managing, and mentoring staff.

• Proven success with both providing vision for an organization and managing the day-to-day programmatic activities and operational details.

• Strong facilitation and negotiation skills with experience creating collaboration and consensus among internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience being adaptable when priorities shift, and comfortable greeting, interacting with, and presenting to individual visitors, as well as large groups.

• A self-starter, one who takes initiative, has ideas for expansion, and is a systems-oriented thinker.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn other computer programs as needed. Appreciation of and commitment to conservation and the natural resources of Connecticut.

• A flexible approach to work schedules, with the ability to work some weekends and evenings as needed.

• Some travel is required.

• Must possess a valid driver's license and have a safe driving history.

• Must be able to traverse 3-5 miles on trails and perform tasks requiring moderate physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions, and on moderately difficult terrain with or without accommodation.

• Knowledge of wildlife conservation issues and an ability to inspire and motivate others to act on their behalf.

• Familiarity with Sharon, CT, and adjacent communities preferred.

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

• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable for applying 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.  

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact [email protected]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.