Bonsai Leadership Group is excited to support National Audubon Society in its search for a Vice President, Conservation Action, Centers and Sanctuaries.  Download the full position announcement here.  

ABOUT NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY 

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. They work throughout the Americas toward a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation.   

Audubon has more than 800 staff working across the hemisphere. Together as one Audubon, they aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. Audubon does this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community among all those who recognize that what is good for birds is good for the Earth. 

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where its talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. By honoring and celebrating the remarkable diversity of humanity, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere. 

Guided by its bold strategic plan, Flight Plan, Audubon will achieve new levels of impact for birds, people, and the planet.  

Learn more at audubon.org. 
 

ABOUT AUDUBON’S CONSERVATION ACTION CENTERS AND SANCTUARIES 

Audubon’s strong track record as a trusted leader in conservation action is grounded in one of the organization’s unique assets—its brick-and-mortar Conservation Action Centers along with its sanctuaries, which protect vital habitats for birds and communities.  

Audubon opened its first center, the Greenwich Audubon Center in Connecticut, in 1943. Today, Audubon’s 31 Centers and 29 Sanctuaries across the United States are local hubs where knowledge, innovation, and community come together to foster a shared commitment to conservation. More than one million visitors a year come through these “front doors” of Audubon.  

Now, Audubon is advancing its hemispheric commitment to conservation by expanding the Conservation Action Centers model to Latin America and Canada. Through partnerships with local museums, parks, and cultural institutions, these Centers are becoming vibrant hubs for conservation. These collaborations not only strengthen conservation efforts but also create opportunities for partnerships with U.S.-based Centers, showcasing the power of birds to connect people across borders. Each Center fosters deep, long-term connections with local communities, becoming an integral part of the social fabric and shaping the future of conservation. 

Centers and Sanctuaries offer unparalleled opportunities for community engagement, developing the next generation of conservation leaders, and fostering stewardship of birds and the places they need to thrive. Audubon Centers span a broad spectrum of places and communities, from urban oases like the Audubon Center at Debs Park in Los Angeles, to spectacular wildlife viewing destinations like Florida’s Blair Audubon Center at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Across the network of Centers, Audubon is poised to welcome a diverse suite of current and future conservationists. 45% of Centers are in communities where the percentage of Black residents exceeds the national average and 39% are in communities where the percentage of Hispanic residents exceeds the national average.  

Today at Audubon Centers, Sanctuaries, or partner centers, visitors can participate in various levels of educational programming, from single classes and seminars to experiential learning. Through Flight Plan’s Community Building initiative, Audubon will unify previously siloed programs under a common framework that fosters engagement across all ages and serves as a hub for community gathering, conservation experiences, advocacy training, and pathways to careers in the conservation field. These physical spaces, whether owned by Audubon or our partners, inspire and engage visitors, deepening their connection to birds and fostering a shared commitment to conservation. Integral to this effort is the creation of a coalition of Audubon supporters who take action to influence these milestones and build a broader community of bird lovers dedicated to protecting birds and the planet.  

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Audubon seeks an innovative, strategic, collaborative, and results driven leader to serve as Vice President, Conservation Action, Centers and Sanctuaries (VP). This newly established position will develop and guide a unified, programmatic strategy for Audubon’s 31 Conservation Action Centers and 29 Sanctuaries across the United States while deepening and expanding partnerships and initiatives with museums, parks, and cultural institutions in Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.  

The VP will ensure the alignment of Centers and Sanctuaries with Audubon’s Flight Plan by driving consistency in programming and impactful strategies that will increase the number of people who care about and take action for birds, as well as create substantive conservation impact. In addition to developing and implementing innovative programming, the VP will ensure the consistency of the Audubon brand across all Centers and Sanctuaries. This team member will play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration among Center leaders, regional teams, and other key partners. 

The ideal candidate for this position is a visionary and strategic thinker with a track record of leading programmatic activities within complex networks or multi-unit organizations. Experience in strategy development, program innovation, meaningful community engagement, and network building is essential, as is the ability to develop consistent strategies while honoring the unique characteristics of individual sites. They will be a skilled communicator, thoughtful collaborator, and natural relationship builder with high emotional intelligence. They will also be a confident and decisive leader who can successfully navigate ambiguity while maintaining focus on long-term goals.  

The VP will serve as a member of the newly created Community Building Team and the Conservation Leadership Team. The VP will provide leadership to a team of four high performing Centers and Sanctuaries leaders.  

Reporting to the Managing Director, Community Building, the VP will have the following primary responsibilities:   

Program Innovation, Strategy & Development  

• Develop and implement a cohesive program strategy for Audubon’s Centers and Sanctuaries aligned with the Flight Plan’s Community Building Milestone. 

• Establish collaboration communities to provide consistent programming and develop unified plans, partnership development, volunteer engagement, meaningful community building best practices, and training opportunities across Centers and Sanctuaries. 

• Serve as a strategic advisor to regional leaders, guiding the establishment of new partnerships in Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean, expanding Audubon’s reach and impact while integrating global initiatives into Center programming. 

• Partner with the Marketing Department to develop strategies and best practices to ensure brand consistency across all Centers and Sanctuaries.  

• Engage in consensus-building with conservation leaders to ensure alignment and support for programmatic strategies. 

• Lead efforts to embed Audubon's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Conservation Principles throughout programmatic initiatives within the Centers and Sanctuaries. 

• Ensure the integration of Centers and Sanctuaries into a more cohesive network, focused on collaboration and fostering a shared sense of purpose. 

• Assess the operations of Centers and Sanctuaries for their operational needs and make recommendations to ensure facilities are well-equipped and capable of achieving Flight Plan goals. 

• Collaborate with the Senior Director, Planning and Evaluation and Senior Director, Equitable Conservation to develop comprehensive tools and strategies to help Center leaders effectively plan, monitor, and evaluate strategic goals. 

• Regularly monitor, evaluate, and measure progress and provide data driven reports on the collective impact of Centers and Sanctuaries.  

• Provide transparent and regular internal communications to ensure Center leaders and other key stakeholders are well-informed about plans, progress, impact, etc.   

Resource Development & Financial Management  

• Exercise strong oversight, stewardship, and growth of a $1M department budget.  

• Provide high-level strategic budget guidance and advisory support on resource allocation approaches for the $30M collective Centers and Sanctuaries budget to maximize programmatic impact and support long-term sustainability of the Centers and Sanctuaries. 

• Collaborate with the Development Department on high-impact fundraising opportunities aligned with Flight Plan goals. 

• Cultivate connections and facilitate collaboration across geographies and with the Conservation Funding team and Finance Department on projects and proposals to secure public funding for Audubon's initiatives.  

• Support a culture of philanthropy.  

Organizational, Team & Network Leadership  

• Provide pragmatic and results driven team leadership by establishing annual work objectives and priorities and reviewing these objectives on an ongoing basis to ensure they are measurable and aligned with Audubon's organizational priorities. 

• Cultivate strong relationships and influence a high-performing network of Centers and Sanctuaries leaders to drive impact and alignment, even without direct authority.  

• Mentor, support, and empower leaders to deliver strategic and programmatic excellence, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and the ability to thrive amidst organizational change. 

• Foster an environment of clear and effective communication to ensure clarity regarding expectations, feedback mechanisms, and performance benchmarks.  

• Collaborate closely with the People and Culture Department to address and resolve union-related staffing issues, ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements and fostering positive labor relations. 

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.  

• Maintain and foster a culture of safety.   

NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY COMPETENCIES 

The Vice President, Conservation Action, Centers and Sanctuaries plays a pivotal role in driving the National Audubon Society’s mission forward, ensuring its conservation initiatives are impactful, sustainable, and inclusive. To be successful in this role, the VP must be held accountable for demonstrating excellence in key leadership competencies that directly influence organizational effectiveness and conservation outcomes. 

Each year, the VP’s performance will be assessed against the following core competencies: 

Building Trust: Take actions that give others confidence in your intentions and allow them to see you as a truthful and reliable person who follows through on promises and commitments.   

Coaching: Guide and develop individuals within the organization, nurturing their professional growth and enhancing performance for the future.   

Decision Making: Make decisions based on comparative data and input from various sources, incorporating diverse viewpoints and insights for a holistic understanding.  

Leading and Facilitating Change: Be effective in guiding, managing, and supporting organizational or systemic transformations, including considering diverse needs and perspectives.   

Strategic Leadership: Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills and articulate a strategic vision to help team members and the organization achieve long-term goals.   

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

The VP role requires a seasoned and collaborative leader with a proven track record in program innovation and development, change management, and organizational stewardship in a matrixed work environment. The candidate must have experience leading at the national or global level, driving strategic initiatives that create meaningful and transformational impact.  

Candidates from a range of backgrounds are encouraged to submit their interest. While the ideal candidate will exhibit many of the following attributes and experiences described below, they need not possess them all for consideration: 

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in program development, preferably in conservation, with 5+ years of experience in a senior leadership position. 

• Demonstrated success in national or global program development, implementation, impact measurement, and change management.  

• Excellent strategic thinking, problem solving, and decision-making abilities, with a track record of aligning diverse teams toward common goals, setting clear priorities, and demonstrating the discernment and confidence to say no when necessary to maintain focus and drive results and meaningful impact. 

• Proficiency in operating within matrixed organizations, executing complex projects, and leading through influence. 

• Exceptional leadership qualities, with experience managing teams (direct and indirect) and fostering a collaborative, cohesive, positive, and productive work environment. 

• High adaptability and resilience in navigating complex, evolving landscapes.  

• Strong advocacy acumen, adept at engaging stakeholders across political spectrums and forging cross-sector collaborations. 

• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, coupled with a compelling public presence and enthusiasm for fundraising. 

• Exemplary integrity, transparency, and interpersonal skills that enable genuine connections with a diverse representation of stakeholders. 

• Passion for conservation and the mission of Audubon and its equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging aims. 

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation. 

• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.   

TRAVEL 

Approximately 30% of your time will be spent traveling. 

LOCATION  

This position is a hybrid or remote U.S.-based position depending on the location of the candidate. The VP can be located close to a major airport within any U.S. state.  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS  

The salary range for this position is $139,000 - $185,000 annually, with an anticipated starting salary dependent upon the location, qualifications, and experience of the hired candidate. In addition, Audubon offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:   

• Medical and dental insurance through Cigna 

• Vision insurance through VSP  

• 403(b) retirement savings plan with a matching contribution up to 4% of an employee’s base salary + 4% non-elective contribution  

• Paid time off: 20 vacation days, 12 paid holidays, two personal days and two floating holidays; Audubon also offers summer Fridays for eligible staff 

• Sabbatical leave after 10 years of continuous service for eligible staff 

SHARE YOUR INTEREST 

Bonsai Leadership Group has been exclusively retained for this national search. For consideration, submit a cover letter and resume outlining your experience and qualifications in alignment of this role here.  

Expressions of interest will be reviewed and evaluated as received.  

If you are a person with a disability and need help submitting your interest, please contact us at careers@bonsaileadershipgroup.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications. 

All expressions of interest, nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

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.