Senior Manager, Policy

Position Summary:

The Senior Policy Manager will lead policy efforts and oversee governmental affairs functions to advance Audubon Great Plains mission and bird conservation objectives. Audubon Great Plains includes Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Reporting to the Vice-President and Executive Director of Audubon Great Plains, they will work closely with state and national staff to develop and implement strategic policy agendas, initiatives, and campaigns.

Under the guidance of the Executive Director, the Senior Policy Manager will lead the development and execution of our policy agenda and goals that advance Audubon’s priorities at the state and federal levels with a near-term focus on advancing clean energy policies; private working lands and public land policies that facilitate habitat restoration, conservation and protection; and conservation funding. This work includes collaborating with the Audubon Great Plains conservation staff in strategy development and execution, engaging the chapters, bolstering the grassroots network, and building key partnerships and coalitions. This includes proactively communicating issues and positions and supporting fundraising efforts for successful policy campaigns and conservation outcomes.

The Senior Policy Manager will build and maintain bipartisan working relationships with external partners and stakeholders, the Great Plains state Governor’s offices, Great Plains state and federal legislative offices, relevant local officials, and state and federal agencies to remain informed of policy and legislative developments related to Audubon’s agenda. They will help advance opportunities to leverage Audubon’s engaged and growing grassroots membership and organization-wide commitment to pragmatic science-based solutions.

The ideal candidate is an experienced manager and strategic thinker with a working background knowledge of the policy and political landscape of the Great Plains.

This position is remote to North Dakota, South Dakota, or Nebraska.

Compensation:

$89,650 – $101,000 / year

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions

• Lead the development and effectively implement Audubon’s policy agenda and goals in Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, under the guidance of the Executive Director of Audubon Great Plains.
• Work closely with the Great Plains team to effectively align the policy work and priorities with strategic regional and national priorities. Collaborate with Audubon’s National Policy Team on all Great Plains related issues. Develop strong and effective working relationships with staff across the Audubon Network.
• Identify opportunities for policy engagement and serve as an effective advocate for Audubon’s legislative and regulatory priorities in all three states.
• Build creative and enduring alliances and partnerships to support Audubon’s policy efforts and serve as an effective, enthusiastic, and visible spokesperson for Audubon.
• Give presentations to elected officials, stakeholders and other audiences.
• Effectively engage internal and external stakeholders in the development of key plans and strategies. Serve on issue specific task forces as appropriate.
• Build and maintain relationships with key state-elected and agency officials and leaders, as well as the state Congressional delegation and federal agencies critical to Audubon goals.
• Stay abreast of legislative affairs and decisions affecting Audubon’s conservation agenda and its constituents.
• Lobby Congress, federal and state administration branches and agencies, and others to advance conservation objectives.
• Increase grassroots policy capacity across the Great Plains in a way that engages a diverse set of participants. Collaborate with the Audubon chapters, which are partners but separate non-profits in the Great Plains that engage in policy work.  Identify where we have alignment and work toward increased collaboration to advance our policy priorities.
• Create opportunities and training to grow grassroots capacity. Be an active partner in helping to brainstorm engagement strategies for current and new members interested in the state’s advocacy work.
• Provide periodic updates and recommendations to the Great Plains team, national staff and the Great Plains advisory board. This may include identifying important issues that need to be addressed across the range of priority conservation programs.
• Maintains and fosters culture of safety.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
• Manage staff, contract lobbyists and other contract staff as needed.
• Promote an organizational culture and structure that fosters cooperation, communication, collaboration, teamwork and trust.
• Serve as a member of the Audubon Great Plains Leadership Team, to include participating in board meetings and provide advice on organizational strategy pertaining to policy matters.
• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director and Audubon’s development team, help raise revenue for the Audubon Great Plains Program which includes grant writing and cultivate donors and foundations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental studies, or related field and 7+ years professional experience in policy, grassroots advocacy, wildlife conservation, public service, or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working in federal, state, and local governmental processes.
• Keen understanding of current policy trends in the Great Plains (Nebraska, South Dakota and Nebraska) related to energy, natural climate solutions, the Platte River, wildlife management, agriculture and working lands policy. Experience applying this knowledge is strongly preferred.
• Desire and demonstrated ability to build durable bipartisan public will for climate, energy, and conservation issues, collaborate with diverse stakeholders and engage individuals across the political spectrum on Audubon’s policy interests.
• Experience working in partnership with stakeholders and/or grassroots building. Experience working with volunteers is strongly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability build consensus amongst a wide range of individuals. Comfort with presenting and engaging others in public-speaking events is also necessary.
• 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.
• Thorough understanding of how advocacy, communications, and grassroots engagement components effectively work together.
• Superior relationship-building and interpersonal skills, including demonstrating a proven ability to collaborate successfully with colleagues across an organization to develop conservation strategies; work easily and effectively with a wide range of people; act diplomatically while exhibiting an understanding and sensitivity to the dynamics of a complex organization.
• Technically savvy, to include proficiency with Microsoft Office suite applications and comfort using web-based engagement systems.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed, some weekends and evenings required.
• Demonstrated interest in conservation and commitment to the mission of the National Audubon Society.
• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.
• Driver’s license and own transportation required.

This position is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA).

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Fostering Relationships: Build trust, mutual respect, and understanding through regular and genuine interactions while promoting a positive and inclusive environment. 

Analytical Thinking: Recognize and value diverse perspectives and experiences in data analysis to foster a more comprehensive and equitable approach to problem-solving. 

Creativity and Innovation: Leverage creativity and imagination to generate new insights and solutions while embracing diverse ideas and approaches that foster innovation. 

Facilitating Change: Work with others to explore innovative approaches to problem-solving while promoting inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and belonging in the change process. 

Team Leadership: Communicate vision and engage others or the team to solve problems while valuing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity. 

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

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