Vice President Conservation Americas

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

• 0% Geo-Diff (includes most of Audubon locations)-$145k-$165k
• 10% Geo-Diff (includes DC, Chicago, AK, – except San Francisco)- $165k-185k
• 20% Geo-Diff (NYC, Seattle, San Francisco) -$175k-$195k

• Lead development and implementation of conservation strategies for the Americas Program that align with Audubon’s overall strategic plan and conservation goals, supporting program development, coordination, and provide strategic direction to advance the priorities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Manage Country and Strategy Directors, providing leadership, direction, and mentorship to ensure Audubon America’s senior leaders have clear goals, work plans, and meet organizational and programmatic deliverables. Support leaders in recruiting and retaining high-quality staff and consultants.
• Lead integration of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging values into Audubon Americas’ strategies and work including exterior-facing projects and partnerships and internal work plans and workplace culture.
• Serve as an external spokesperson for Audubon Americas throughout the region to raise the profile and visibility of our priorities and conservation impact with stakeholders, funders, partners, decisions makers, and the public.
• Partner with Finance and Development to help track and meet revenue goals, produce accurate and digestible reporting supports good programmatic decision-making, and ensure compliance and operational efficiency.
• Ensure project and grant goals are achieved and reported efficiently and satisfactorily. Manage impact goals and key performance indicators dashboard, ensuring an efficient reporting system is in place for quarterly and annual reviews and reports.
• Provide leadership and support for Audubon Americas’ fundraising and business development opportunities, assisting with the cultivation of new and existing major donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies to significantly expand new funding and sources.
• Help oversee and enhance processes and procedures that allow for efficient and smooth functioning operations throughout the Americas’ program. Ensure compliance with NAS policies and procedures and alignment with short- and long-term objectives.
• Participate in the formulation and evaluation of broad policies and/or long-term programs and provide recommendations for improvement.

• Degree in ecology, conservation biology, natural resources, sustainable development or a relevant field and a minimum of 10 years of related experience, including 3- 5 years in a leadership role, preferably in or associated with the conservation and sustainability arena, non-profit or for-profit. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Strong leadership skills with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong business and management skills; demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate staff, volunteers, donors, and potential partners a must.
• Environmental conservation work is an essential asset; bird and habitat conservation experience a plus.
• Seasoned organizational leader with an accomplished record in US and international policy and public finance.
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a highly matrixed, complex organization—strong ability to influence and persuade others required.
• Strong management background including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, including experience with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government funders.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions with a wide range of individuals and organizations at the local, regional, national and international levels.
• 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.
• Excellent and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal, including substantial public speaking experience, and the ability to effectively represent Audubon Americas with internal and external stakeholders. Written and verbal fluency in English and Spanish are required.
• Directs, prepares, presents and/or participates in negotiations of project proposals with governmental, bilateral and/or multilateral agencies.
• Tech-savvy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, budgeting systems and donor databases. Comfort with and interest in leveraging technology to maximize conservation impact and network engagement.
• Strong commitment to Audubon’s equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) values, and a proven track record of success of managing diverse teams and volunteers, and the ability to integrate EDIB values into conservation strategies and policy work. Also, a commitment to continued learning and improvement of one’s own understanding and delivery of a more equitable and inclusive conservation outcomes and workplace culture.
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment both independently and with a team.
• Willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout the Americas and elsewhere as required.
• Flexibility to work long hours as the job demands.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring minor physical exertion and/or physical strain, with or without accommodation.