Director, Conservation

National Audubon Society, Inc. (C3); Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

National Audubon Society in South Carolina seeks a Director of Conservation to translate Flight Plan into measurable outcomes for birds, habitats, and communities. The role oversees coastal resilience, community science, and engagement, collaborating with leadership to align priorities statewide and advance conservation goals.

The Director will secure funding, manage budgets, guide research, and mentor staff while partnering with sanctuary teams to implement statewide conservation strategies

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in conservation biology, wildlife management, forestry, natural resources, avian ecology, ornithology, or a related field required, advanced degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of experience in natural resources management, biology, or related environmental or conservation work and at least 3 years of management experience, specifically leading professional teams.
• Demonstrated fundraising and grants management experience and ability to manage complex projects within budgets and timelines.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills with ability to engage diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Set conservation vision and lead strategies to advance Flight Plan goals in South Carolina.
• Build strategic relationships with NGOs, academia, communities, and agencies.
• Develop and manage conservation program budgets with Finance and leadership.
• Align funding and staffing with priorities and monitor spending.
• Collaborate across Audubon teams to plan projects that protect species and habitats.
• Oversee Coastal Resilience and Coastal Stewardship programs and funding.
• Guide research projects and analyze data to inform adaptive management.
• Oversee community science and research efforts to maximize network impact.
• Collaborate on policy priorities and advocacy informed by science.
• Lead fundraising initiatives and donor engagement with Development and Grants teams.
• Mentor and coach staff; foster inclusive, collaborative teams.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in conservation biology, wildlife management, forestry, natural resources, avian ecology, ornithology, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

About Audubon The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with more than 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, nonpartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With over 900 staff and more than 2.65 million supporters working across 11 countries and all 50 U.S. states, 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 audubon.org and on Facebook and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President and Executive Director of Audubon in South Carolina, the Director of Conservation is a key member of the leadership team in the state, translating Flight Plan, Audubon’s hemispheric strategic plan, into measurable outcomes for birds, habitats, and communities. The Director oversees coastal resilience and coastal restoration programs, community science and research, as well as community building and engagement; collaborates with leadership peers to inform policy priorities and shape working lands strategies, ensuring that efforts are aligned and impact is expanded statewide; and collaborates with colleagues across Audubon’s hemispheric network to advance shared Flight Plan goals. The Director is also an important partner to Grants, Development, and Finance colleagues to secure, sustain, and manage public and private funding for conservation priorities.

Compensation

$94,993 - $118,741 / year

Essential Functions

• Partner with the VP and Executive Director and leadership team to set an ambitious and measurable conservation vision to advance Flight Plan goals in South Carolina, and lead select strategies, priorities, and implementation plans that deliver it.
• Understand and anticipate emerging conservation threats and opportunities in South Carolina, including climate change and shifts in the policy and funding landscape, and adapt priorities and strategies in response.
• Build and sustain strategic relationships with NGOs, academic institutions, corporations, communities, and natural resource agencies at the local, state, regional, and national levels to advance Audubon’s conservation priorities.
• Develop and manage conservation program budgets with Finance and organizational leadership.
• Align funding and staffing with agreed priorities, monitor spending and funding gaps, and recommend adjustments to sustain program delivery.
• Collaborate with Audubon’s Conservation, Science, Community Building, Policy, Working Lands, and Coasts teams and colleagues across the Americas to plan, develop, and implement projects that protect indicator species and habitats and advance Flight Plan goals.
• Provide strategic oversight of South Carolina’s Coastal Resilience and Coastal Stewardship programs, guiding the site selection, strategy, implementation, and funding of efforts that protect or restore critical shorebird and seabird habitat.
• Direct the strategic selection and design of research projects related to indicator species and geographies and oversee the analysis of data collected by Audubon staff, partners, and community‑scientists to inform adaptive management strategies and measure the impact of conservation actions.
• Provide strategic oversight of South Carolina’s community science and research efforts, ensuring engagement maximally leverages network, partnership and community building in support of broader Flight Plan goals.
• Collaborate with South Carolina’s leadership team to shape and advance policy priorities and conservation strategies, ensuring efforts are grounded in the latest conservation science and Flight Plan aligned.
• Partner with staff at Audubon’s Silver Bluff Sanctuary and Beidler Forest Center and Sanctuary to plan, implement, and monitor conservation programs, align sanctuary work with statewide goals, and apply their expertise and findings to advance conservation beyond sanctuary boundaries.
• Oversee the Community Building Program Manager in developing and implementing strategies that expand and engage Audubon’s supporter base, mobilizing communities, chapters, and individuals to advance Flight Plan priorities, particularly in areas where Audubon owns or manages land, implements conservation projects, or seeks policy change.
• Collaborate with South Carolina’s Policy Director to ensure policy priorities and advocacy efforts advance Audubon’s conservation goals and are informed by the latest conservation science, and provide subject matter expertise, strategic guidance, and testimony as needed.
• Ensure that Audubon’s Conservation Principles are embedded and upheld in Audubon’s work and partnerships in South Carolina.
• Serve as a credible, visible voice for South Carolina’s conservation vision and programs with members of the media, lawmakers, regulators, donors, funders, and internal stakeholders, elevating Audubon's profile as a conservation leader in South Carolina and the region.
• Lead conservation fundraising in partnership with the state’s Vice President and Executive Director and the Development and Grants teams by cultivating, stewarding and soliciting donors; identifying and securing public and private funding opportunities; and overseeing the development of proposals and implementation of funding projects that support Flight Plan goals.
• Manage, coach, and mentor direct reports through clear goals, regular feedback, and professional development.
• Build an inclusive, collaborative team; delegate responsibility with accountability; and guide staff through changing priorities to advance Audubon’s Flight Plan goals and milestones.
• Evaluate and report conservation outcomes using narrative and quantitative measures tied to Flight Plan goals.
• Use findings to adjust priorities, improve programs, and communicate progress, lessons, and resource needs to leadership, partners, and funders.
• Foster a culture of safety and ensure staff incorporate appropriate safety practices into fieldwork and program design and delivery.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required in conservation biology, wildlife management, forestry, natural resources, avian ecology, ornithology, or a related field required, advanced degree preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• At least 10 years of experience in natural resources management, biology, or related environmental or conservation work and at least 3 years of management experience, specifically leading professional teams.
• Understanding of significant conservation issues in South Carolina, e.g. climate adaptation and resiliency, sustainable forestry and agriculture, afforestation, restoration, coastal management, marsh migration, etc.
• Geographic and ecological
• Demonstrated record in fundraising and grants management, project management, and experience overseeing complex or multiple projects to success, including managing budgets, developing and reporting metrics, meeting project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions with a wide range of individuals and organizations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize and communicate complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences, as well as public speaking experience.
• Ability to manage and implement strategies tailored to varying geographic and political contexts and audiences
• Proficiency with standard office productivity software and workplace technology; ability to review, analyze, and synthesize information from a variety of formats and sources.
• Flexible schedule with the ability to work nights and weekends, as needed.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation to travel within the state and meet with stakeholders at locations that may not be accessible by public transit.
• 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

• 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.

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