Manager, Community Building

National Audubon Society•Dayton, OH

3d•$60,000 - $68,000

About The Position

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety. Position Summary: The Manager, Community Building will be the primary connection between Aullwood Audubon and its constituents, members, visitors, customers, learners, and teachers. It will also play a lead role in planning, developing, managing, and executing the education programs, exhibits, and social media outreach that drive attendance and expand the reach of Aullwood in the greater Miami Valley region, the State of Ohio, and beyond. The primary goals of this position will be to diversify and grow Aullwood’s audience and community science initiatives working with the Senior Manager Community Building, Ohio Centers to strengthen the impact, visibility, and position of the Ohio Centers within the state.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, or education related field, Master’s degree preferred; an equivalent combination of education and/or experience will also be considered.
5 year’s of experience creating and executing environmental education programs, preferably in an informal education setting.
Prior experience in a management position preferred.
Knowledge of current trends in nature centers, education, museum, or cultural attraction programming.
Experience managing budgets, including profit and loss and measuring program metrics.
Proven competence managing program logistics, staff, and volunteers.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise and mentor professional staff while working effectively in a team-based environment.
Clear track record of success in operational roles a must – demonstrated experience taking ideas from concept to design to execution and linking objectives and outcomes to strategic goals.
Proven experience networking, engaging, and successfully cultivating diverse community partners and partnership projects.
Demonstrated experience with grant writing and grant compliance and management.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability build consensus among a wide range of individuals.
Comfort presenting and engaging others in public-speaking events is also necessary.
Demonstrated experience managing complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions.
Technically savvy, proficient with Microsoft Office suite and comfort using web-based engagement systems.
Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license as operating Audubon vehicles is a requirement of this role to perform essential functions such as driving personal vehicle to community and partner meetings, outreach events, education programming and other routine tasks such as acquiring supplies.
Ability to lead hikes and programs outdoors, year-round and in all weather conditions and on uneven terrain and the ability to lift heavy objects (up to 40 lbs.) with or without accommodation.
Must be able to sit, stand, kneel, bend, stoop, grab and reach on uneven surfaces for extended periods of time.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Prior experience in a management position preferred.
Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Center’s primary professional for education and community engagement, leading the growth and development of educational and public programs.
Supervise regular, temporary, and intern staff through establishment of work objectives and priorities, reviewing and revising these objectives on an ongoing basis to guide and mentor team members in their work progress.
Develop programs that forge closer connections to the local community, increasing access to, awareness of, interest in, and appreciation for Aullwood and the goals of the National Audubon Society.
Cultivate sustainable partnerships with communities and organizations that have been excluded from environmental and conservation work, such as Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC), or people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, etc.
Develop and implement conservation focused programs, with feedback from Aullwood and Audubon’s Conservation teams, that advance the understanding and conservation of birds, other wildlife and their habitats, as well as sustainable farming practices and engage people of diverse backgrounds.
Develop and track metrics to measure effectiveness of programs as they relate to science and other educational standards
Identify trends and needs in education, specifically the use of new technologies in education, and design programmatic responses to those needs including preparation of program descriptions and narratives for grant applications.
Develop appropriate engagement strategies, and partner with Audubon communication colleagues and teams to ensure effective promotion of programs using both print and electronic media.
Seek grant funding for educational and outreach programming in coordination with relevant staff, participate in the planning, preparation, tracking and compliance with reporting requirements of grants.
Experience and understanding of the exhibit process for Ohio Centers, particularly as it relates to live animal exhibitions.
Cultivate existing collaborations and forge new programmatic partnerships with cultural organizations and community groups
Seek opportunities to fold in volunteers as well as interns and externs to enhance program/service, deliver, develop, and implement goals and objectives for the volunteer program which reflect the mission of the Center.
Establish and oversee operational budget that drives revenue and manages cost ratios for programs.
Work with management team on implementation of strategic plan and goals.
Procure, negotiate, contract, and manage relationships with outside program facilitators, exhibitors and contractors that supply essential services and equipment.
Represent Aullwood Audubon in the community, particularly with local schools and educational institutions.
Cultivate a cohesive team of professionals with a passion for growth, excellence, and diversity.
Develop meaningful community partnerships to leverage institutional resources.
Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
Maintains and fosters culture of safety.
Other job-related duties as assigned.