Center Director, Trinity River Audubon Center

Audubon • Dallas, TX

272d • $89,000 - $101,000

About The Position

The National Audubon Society is dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Since its creation in 2008, the 120-acre Trinity River Audubon Center (TRAC) has served as a premier environmental education and conservation hub in South Dallas, within the Great Trinity Forest, the largest urban hardwood forest in the United States. As part of the City of Dallas-Trinity River Corridor, TRAC plays a critical role in advancing urban conservation, restoring natural ecosystems, and connecting communities with nature. TRAC leads K-12 education programs, community partnerships, and habitat restoration efforts that align with Audubon’s Flight Plan, incorporating science, education, public policy, and direct habitat management. Through strong partnerships with local communities, conservation organizations, and city leaders, TRAC fosters a deeper connection between people and nature while advancing environmental sustainability in North Texas. The Center Director at TRAC will be a visionary leader, responsible for driving the center’s mission, strategy, and operations to maximize its impact. Reporting to the Vice President & Executive Director of Audubon Texas, the Center Director will ensure programmatic excellence, financial sustainability, and effective facility and site management. The Center Director will play a proactive role in fundraising, securing resources to support TRAC’s facilities, operations, and conservation and education initiatives. As a member of the Audubon Texas senior management team, the Center Director will also contribute to strategic planning and conservation leadership across the state. Beyond these core functions, the Center Director will oversee a team that manages land, habitat, trails, facilities, and grounds management, ensuring that TRAC remains a model for urban conservation. The Center Director will lead the development and implementation of education, outreach, and public engagement initiatives, inspiring conservation action among diverse audiences. Cultivating and maintaining strong partnerships with local leaders, educators, conservation organizations, and researchers, will be a key part of the role, reinforcing TRAC’s role as a community asset. The Center Director will also serve as a primary representative of TRAC and Audubon within the Dallas-Fort Worth community, engaging advisory board members, donors, city officials, and community partners to strengthen local and statewide impact. Additionally, the Center Director will be responsible for managing center staff, volunteers, and contractors, ensuring the successful execution of conservation and education programs. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and collaborative leader with a passion for urban conservation, environmental education, and community engagement. The Center Director must be able to build strong and diverse relationships, advocate for Audubon’s mission, and strategically grow the center’s influence in North Texas. This position is on-site at Trinity River Audubon Center.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Education, Non-profit Management, Environmental Studies, or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 7-10 years' relevant experience in non-profit management and/or conservation experience is required.
• Successful track record of hiring, managing, and mentoring staff.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to think strategically and creatively, juggle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, work in a dynamic environment and effectively manage change.
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills.
• Project management experience, including managing budgets, grants, completing reports, contracts, and other projects, required.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to diverse audiences and age groups.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with key stakeholders, such as Board of Directors, management and other National Audubon Society (NAS) staff.
• Self-motivated and willing to work in a flexible environment, with a willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must have valid driver's license.
• Tech-savvy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications as well as donor enterprise systems.
• Experience with Salesforce a strong plus.
• Demonstrated fundraising success in the areas of individual giving, corporate giving, foundation and other support will be highly weighted.
• Familiarity with the communities, flora and fauna and environmental partners of Dallas and neighboring counties is strongly preferred.
• A passion for conservation, the mission of the National Audubon Society and the natural resources of Texas is strongly preferred.
• A can-do attitude and a tolerant, friendly personality with a great sense of humor are essential.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, hire, and manage staff and interns, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team with professional development opportunities consistent with program needs and budget.
• Monitor the performance of all positions directly supervised and conduct annual performance reviews.
• Cultivate emerging staff leaders.
• Provide dynamic, collaborative leadership for the Center’s mission, strategy, core program areas, and operating departments consistent with Audubon’s Flight Plan.
• Preserve and cultivate a culture of mutual respect, individual initiative, collegiality, and diversity; collaborate with staff to identify and implement best practices and evaluate outcomes, where applicable.
• Conduct regular Center staff meetings and promote clear, open information exchange to support and advance program goals.
• Oversee and regularly review all operational aspects of the Center facilities, budgets, and programs; staffing strategy.
• Work closely with the Texas VP & Executive Director to maintain an excellent working relationship with the TRAC Advisory Board, while also building Board capacity.
• Lead TRAC Advisory Board meetings, create board reports, and engage board members to utilize their expertise for TRAC mission advancement.
• Engage with partners, strengthening TRAC’s connections with local, state, and federal agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and community leaders.
• Establish and regularly review and update Center priorities and procedures.
• Maintain and foster a culture of safety.
• Work with the Texas VP & Executive Director, Finance Manager, and Development team to develop and deliver required budgeting and financial reporting.
• Oversee expenses to stay within the budget.
• Meet with donors and host donor events at the Center.
• Build on existing sources of earned income, including program revenue, camp and school program tuition, store sales, rental income, and admissions.
• Effectively and enthusiastically communicate the case for support of the Center’s program at community and fundraising events.
• Seek new revenue opportunities, write and manage grants in partnership with the Development team, ensure grant reporting and compliance; assist with and staff special fundraising events at the Center.
• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
• Align TRAC’s programs with Audubon’s conservation goals, ensuring local education and outreach efforts support statewide, national, and hemispheric strategic priorities.
• Expand urban conservation initiatives and community engagement beyond the Center by collaborating with local partners and stakeholders to enhance TRAC’s impact.
• Strengthen the TRAC volunteer program, increasing engagement opportunities, and fostering a dedicated community of conservation advocates.
• Oversee major seasonal programming and events, including tours, educational activities, visitor experiences, and gift shop operations.
• Expand conservation programming with a focus on underserved communities, increasing accessibility and engagement in environmental education.
• Regularly evaluate and enhance programs in collaboration with staff and TRAC Advisory Board, ensuring offerings remain relevant, impactful, and aligned with conservation priorities.
• Ensure all programs and content are welcoming, inclusive, and accessible, reflecting the diverse audiences TRAC serves.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
• Work with Audubon staff, Advisory Board, and constituents to develop and implement a marketing and promotions plan for TRAC and its programs.
• Develop and deliver effective oral and written presentations and, working with the Texas VP & Executive Director and Communications team, be available to serve as TRAC’s media spokesperson.
• Oversee major projects and community collaborations.
• Oversee habitat management projects that enhance habitat for birds and other wildlife on Audubon property with state and center conservation staff.
• Oversee monitoring and maintenance of trails and facilities, anticipating and remedying deterioration, and safety issues to provide for visitor needs.

Benefits

• Compensation: $89,000 - $101,000 / year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree