Senior Manager, Policy – Wings Over Working Lands

National Audubon Society•National Audubon Society Washington, DC

1d•$92,000 - $129,000•Hybrid

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 : Reporting to the Senior Director, Wings Over Working Lands, the Senior Manager, Policy is a key member of the Working Lands Habitat Initiative team and will be responsible for developing and implementing robust elements of Audubon’s Healthy Birds, Healthy Planet policy agenda to advance Audubon’s bipartisan conservation within the U.S., working primarily with Congress and federal agencies. The Wings Over Working Lands Initiative is a key element of the Habitat Milestone under Flight Plan, Audubon’s strategic plan. This role will provide critical policy research, analysis, writing and strategic guidance while serving as a highly visible representative of Audubon with congressional offices and committees, federal agencies and partner organizations. The Senior Manager also works closely with the Senior Director to provide guidance and helpful tools to distribute across Audubon’s network, including background materials for consultants and other relevant content for internal communications. This position is classified as hybrid preferred, remote within the United States considered, in accordance with Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy. Hybrid employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days each month of the employee’s choosing. Candidates should be located within commuting distance of one of Audubon’s offices, which include locations in: Albuquerque, NM; Albany, NY; Anchorage, AK; Baltimore, MD; Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Columbia, SC; Fargo, ND; Fort Collins, CO; Lincoln, NE; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Oakland, CA; Palm Desert, CA; Roseville, MN; Sacramento, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; Tallahassee, FL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, DC.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, natural resources or related field and 7+ years’ experience on Capitol Hill, with a policy-oriented nonprofit organization, or with a relevant federal agency working on environmental and/or agricultural issues is required. A combination of education and experience will also be considered.
Outstanding policy analysis and research skills, with the demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively manage a complex workflow.
Familiarity with and experience navigating Committee and agency process and procedures is required.
Excellent communications skills with ability to write clearly and command of public speaking; must be comfortable representing Audubon with a variety of stakeholders, including congressional, government, and partner organizations.
Exceptional judgment, with the demonstrated ability to think creatively and make strategic recommendations to key leaders within an organization.
A self-starter, with experience working in decentralized organizations and collaborating with cross-departmental teams.
Strong interpersonal skills and desire to be part of and contribute to a team effort.
Demonstrated interest in conservation and commitment to the mission of the National Audubon Society and political insight of the nexus between Congress and environmental issues needed.
Support Audubon’s commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Tech-savviness, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, advocacy tools, and other web-based applications required.
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

Experience with political or legislative campaigns highly desired.
Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, biology, environmental sciences, policy, or related field, graduate degree strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

In coordination with the Senior Director, assess opportunities and identify policy priorities to advance to goals of Audubon’s Wings Over Working Land Initiative and Audubon’s Healthy Birds, Healthy Planet Policy Agenda.
In partnership with policy and government affairs staff across the organization, develop and implement strategies in support of policy goals and objectives, providing leadership on issues that specifically support working grassland and forest ecological systems.
Monitor the legislative and regulatory developments of key congressional committees and relevant agency actions.
Prepare high quality policy analysis, fact sheets, position papers, testimony and other materials necessary to support Audubon’s policy priorities.
Represent Audubon with national issue-based coalitions and partner organizations, monitoring their developments and contributing to coalition-based legislative and administrative efforts.
Identify and mobilize key allies and stakeholders to help amplify Audubon policy priorities with decisionmakers.
Serve as a resource for state/regional-level policy teams on working lands-related issues.
Cultivate relationships with ranchers, farmers, and foresters interested in conservation outcomes that align with Audubon priorities.
Support a culture of philanthropy and help identify opportunities for public funding to support conservation priorities.
Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
Maintain and foster culture of safety.
Regular travel to Washington, D.C. is required, approximately 2–3 days every other month, with occasional additional travel to other locations and events as needed.
This position will require tracking of lobbying time and ongoing compliance with all applicable federal, state, and organizational lobbying and ethics requirements.
The position may require registration as a lobbyist. The selected candidate must be willing and able to complete any required registrations and adhere to all related reporting and conduct standards.
Other job-related duties, as assigned.