Senior Director, Western Hemisphere Conservation

Position Summary:

The Senior Director of Western Hemisphere Conservation plays a pivotal role in advancing a comprehensive hemispheric bird conservation plan, working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and governmental and environmental non-governmental partners across the Americas. This position will lead a collaborative team of organizations and government representatives to assess and align on a unified conservation framework.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Conservation Officer, the Senior Director will lead a multi-year initiative to support a multi-lateral, government-endorsed bird conservation framework across the Western Hemisphere. This role involves coordinating meetings with conservation leaders, agency officials, and existing coalitions, facilitating both virtual and in-person gatherings to foster dialogue, strengthen relationships, and guide negotiations toward the successful adoption of the conservation framework.

The position requires close collaboration with peers within Audubon and conservation leaders across the Americas, ensuring coordinated efforts with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This leader will champion an inclusive, co-produced, and equitable approach to multi-lateral discussions.

The Senior Director will bring deep expertise in international conservation, offering strategic guidance to Audubon leadership on key issues, emerging solutions, and trends to drive conservation progress. Building and maintaining strong relationships with influential conservation leaders, coalitions, and partners will be essential to the success of this role.

The strong preference is for candidates willing to work hybrid in Washington, DC with periodic travel throughout Central and South America.

Compensation:

$157,000 - $177,000 / year

Essential Functions

• Champion co-produced frameworks for hemispheric bird conservation, securing endorsements from multiple governments across the Americas to advance hemispheric habitat and bird conservation objectives on behalf of Audubon and USFWS.
• Collaborate closely with conservation leaders within and beyond Audubon and the USFWS to gather input and build consensus, including organizing and facilitating both in-person and virtual negotiations.
• Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with external organizations, governments, and stakeholders, while fostering collaboration among colleagues to strengthen these relationships.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive project plan with clear objectives, milestones, and metrics to assess progress, regularly reviewing and updating as needed. Provide regular process updates and reports as required.
• Partner with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
• Partner with communications staff to create position statements, fact sheets, articles, newsletters, press releases, and social media content to amplify conservation efforts.
• Act as a strategic partner to Development in fundraising initiatives, supporting a culture of philanthropy within the team and organization.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
• Perform other job-related duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive professional experience in government relations, advocacy, science, or public service, including leading successful conservation initiatives, with a strong preference for work experience in Latin America. At least 3 years in a leadership role. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Extensive expertise in avian conservation issues and policies, along with strong connections to leading experts in the field.
• Demonstrated success in building diverse coalitions and partnerships, with exceptional relationship-building skills.
• Strong understanding of global conservation issues and trends.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex and multiple projects in a matrixed environment to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and communicating and coordinating closely with key staff and partners.
• A self-starter who works collaboratively with staff on multiple career levels.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions with a wide range of individuals and organizations at all levels.
• Willingness to aid in fundraising efforts as needed and a proven track record of success in cultivating donors and funders. Public funding experience preferred.
• A strong and demonstrated commitment to the mission, values, and programs of the National Audubon Society, including the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and belonging.
• Technically savvy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite applications and various web-based technologies.
• Excellent and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal. Experience working with the media a plus.
• 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.
• Willingness to travel as required up to 30 percent.
• Spanish fluency is required; proficiency in Portuguese is a plus.