Events and Communications Manager

Audubon of Kansas 
Events and Communications Manager
Location: work from home, Kansas

Duties: The Events and Communications Manager will be responsible for coordinating marketing, communication, registration, and logistics for all Audubon of Kansas (AOK) events. Audubon of Kansas currently hosts two birding festivals each year.  Kansas Lek Treks Prairie-Chicken Festival hosts ~130 participants and ~30 volunteers in Hays, KS, in mid-April. The highlight is guided tours to prairie-chicken leks, but the festival also offers tours of wetlands, grasslands, and geology.  The second festival, Celebration of Cranes, offers guided tours of Quivira National Wildlife Refuge to see 1000s of Sandhill Cranes and possibly endangered Whooping Cranes. This event attracts ~75 participants and occurs in early November. Other duties include soliciting grants and sponsorships to support the festivals, supporting other educational outreach events in coordination with the Executive Director and Kansas Protected Areas Manager, assisting with the publication of monthly emailed newsletters and yearly Prairie Wings magazine, and other duties as assigned. The Events and Communications Manager must attend the two festivals described above, virtual meetings regularly with Executive Director, AOK board meetings (1 virtual + 2 in person per year), and committee meetings (mostly virtual, as needed). This position maintains a home office in Kansas or very close to Kansas. 

Required qualifications:

• Dedication to AOK’s mission
• High School diploma
• Valid driver’s license
• Strong work ethic and ability to work independently
• Optimistic and problem-solving attitude
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Organizational skills to effectively coordinate and track multiple events with various details

Preferred qualifications:

• College degree in a related field OR 4 years experience in event management and communication
• Experience with event management software
• Success in acquiring sponsorships or grants
• Familiarity with working in the nonprofit sector

Specific Duties:

Event Management (50%)

• Manages registration software and provides registration support.
• Oversee contracts, permits, and people resources for all the events; assist with negotiating and maintaining all contracts relative to the events (i.e., catering, venue, etc.).
• Serve as primary contact for onsite event needs, including setup, registration, catering, and audiovisual.
• Serve as a key staff person on committees, work groups, and task forces, as assigned.
• Anticipate and address event-related issues, providing practical solutions and ensuring a smooth event experience.

Communications (25%)

• Develops, implements, and evaluates advertising strategy for events.
• Grows and cultivates social media communications.
• Assists with the production of monthly emailed newsletters and yearly Prairie Wings magazine.

Fundraising (10%)

• Work with Director of Philanthropy to solicit sponsorships and write grants to support events.

Operations and Planning (15%)

• Participates in meetings with the Executive Director, Board, and Committees as assigned.
• Prepare and review post-conference/event evaluations and provide input on opportunities for improvement.
• Other duties as assigned based on the individual’s interests and skills and AOK’s needs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on a computer and to complete general office tasks
• Strength to lift and carry files weighing up to 10 pounds
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen

Benefits:

• Salary $40,000-$50,000 based on experience
• Paid vacation with flexible work hours averaging 40 hours/week
• 4% retirement match
• Health care stipend
• Cell phone allowance
• Ongoing training opportunities
• Reimbursement for travel around Kansas
• Living in Kansas or very close to Kansas required

Description of Audubon of Kansas:
Audubon of Kansas (AOK) is an independent grassroots nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that promotes appreciation and stewardship of natural ecosystems in Kansas and the central Great Plains, with special emphasis on conservation of prairies, birds, other wildlife, and their habitat. It is neither funded nor administered by the National Audubon Society.

Currently, AOK owns and manages three Protected Areas, two of which are in Kansas. Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie Park near Wamego, Kansas, supports diverse native plant and animal species, and is a key site in the history of the Underground Railroad in Kansas.  Connie Achterberg Wildlife-Friendly Demonstration Farm near Lincoln, Kansas, is an example of how farming practices and wildlife habitat can coexist. The largest Protected Area is the Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary located near Bassett, Nebraska.  This 5,000-acre ranch demonstrates how ranching can support diverse habitat and wildlife including mountain lions, elk, waterbirds, and prairie grouse. 

AOK is made up of more than 3000 members and supporters from across the state of Kansas and beyond. AOK is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of conservation leaders, farmers and ranchers, and others who share a common interest in implementing AOK’s mission and goals. AOK works throughout Kansas, Nebraska, and the central Great Plains, and both its members and Trustees come from across the region. 

Although AOK is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society, it works in partnership with local Audubon chapters and many other organizations. Representatives of local Kansas chapters serve on the Board of Trustees. AOK seeks to implement its goals by working cooperatively with individuals and groups representing a wide variety of interests including landowners, businesses, communities, policy makers and other conservation organizations.

For more information about Audubon of Kansas, visit https://www.audubonofkansas.org/