Manager, Network Engagement, Audubon Mid-Atlantic

National Audubon Society•Audubon, PA

5d•$63,886 - $84,967•Hybrid

About The Position

The Engagement Manager for Audubon’s Mid-Atlantic region (AMA) is responsible for regional efforts to engage and activate Audubon chapters and supporters while expanding the sphere of influence of the Audubon network within the region, which comprises Pennsylvania, Maryland and the District of Columbia. This geography encompasses 25 traditional chapters, seven campus chapters, and has over 110,000 National Audubon Society supporters and donors. In addition to supporting Audubon’s federal and state policy priorities, this dedicated network of grassroots activists is leading local efforts to make their communities more bird-friendly by reducing bird collisions with buildings, encouraging people and municipalities to dedicate more space to native plants, and generating awareness of and enthusiasm for Audubon’s environmental mission. Reporting to AMA’s Director of Policy, the Engagement Manager will work closely with regional and national staff to ensure a strong chapter network in the region, communicate with supporters across the region, engage members in Audubon’s advocacy initiatives, and support community-based initiatives that advance bird conservation. Working with the Policy Director and AMA conservation and two environmental center team members, the Engagement Manager will work to implement strategies to engage Audubon chapters and supporters in advancing regional policy objectives and supporting community-led grassroots advocacy aligned with Flight Plan. The Engagement Manager will be responsible for developing partnerships and providing training and capacity-building opportunities, tools, and mechanisms to build the connectedness, capacity, diversity, and size of the Audubon network in the region. The Engagement Manager will collaborate closely with the AMA Policy Director, communications staff and the National Audubon Society Network Team, to successfully engage our bipartisan network and conservation partners for successful policy campaigns and conservation leadership. The ideal candidate will be a skilled, experienced manager and a strategic thinker and have a background in working with communities, campaigns, and collaborative partnerships across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least five years’ relevant experience in grassroots network building, grassroots advocacy, public policy, wildlife conservation, public service, or related field. A combination of education and experience will also be considered.
Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills; ability to motivate volunteers and partners is essential.
Demonstrated excellence in communications, with the ability to explain complex conservation and policy concepts to diverse audiences.
A clear track record of success in operational roles is a must – demonstrated experience taking ideas from concept to design to implementation and linking targets and outcomes to strategic goals.
Proven experience networking with, engaging, and successfully cultivating diverse community partners and partnership projects, preferably experience which includes partnering with BIPOC led groups.
Demonstrated experience leading grassroots engagement on issues or advocacy campaigns and building the capacity of networks to engage in advocacy successfully.
Experience working across diverse constituencies, including bipartisan coalitions, urban and rural constituents, and communities of color.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals. Comfortable 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.
Strong problem-solving skills, including ability to respond quickly and effectively to unforeseen challenges.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.
Thorough understanding of how advocacy, communications, and grassroots engagement components effectively work together.
Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions.
Technically savvy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office suite applications and effective at using web-based engagement systems. Experience with EveryAction or similar advocacy database desired.
Willingness to travel, including some occasional out-of-state travel, and with the ability to work some evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.
Valid Driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the Mid-Atlantic as job demands.
Demonstrated interest in conservation and commitment to the mission of the National Audubon Society.

Nice To Haves

Experience with EveryAction or similar advocacy database desired.

Responsibilities

Lead the ongoing development and implementation of strategies to build capacity within the Audubon chapter network, including (but not limited to) the following: developing programs, creating partnerships with high-capacity chapters, and overseeing channels of communication between Audubon and its regional chapters.
Build the collective capacity of Audubon’s chapters to engage with Audubon’s conservation programs, community science efforts, and advocacy priorities.
Work closely with Policy Director to develop and implement Audubon state policy platforms in MD and PA, and to engage Audubon’s chapter network in supporting the state policy platform alongside Audubon staff and state partners.
Partner with Audubon’s conservation and public policy stakeholders at national and state levels to recruit, equip, and engage advocates and volunteers to advance Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s conservation work, conservation advocacy and climate policy goals, maximizing grassroots engagement and growth.
Support and engage college and university chapters in key geographies throughout the region, in coordination with the Audubon on Campus program, and engage members of potential campus chapters.
Support local engagement efforts to support new grassroots leaders in a diversity of contexts, geographies, and generations.
Provide chapters with tools to promote and shape local municipal support for Lights Out and Bird-Friendly Building programs.
Organize and host regular chapter leader meetings (in person and remote) in the region and individual states.
Develop and implement gatherings and other networking opportunities that deliver Audubon’s capacity-building program and foster peer-to-peer learning.
Work closely with communications staff on efforts to engage with chapters, members and other supporters of Audubon’s work through regular newsletters, social media, action alerts, and the region’s website.
Provide periodic updates and recommendations to AMA’s advisory board and staff to facilitate more productive integration at all levels of the organization.
Partner with national Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) team to orchestrate training for chapter leaders and staff.
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.
Raise the visibility of Audubon and its network throughout the region through strategic partnerships and communications.
Organize and host in person Audubon advocacy days in both Harrisburg and Annapolis to support Audubon’s policy goals in the region.