Senior Director of Development, Advocacy
New York NYID: 2019-4036
Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Audubon’s mission is engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education and on-the-ground conservation action. By mobilizing and aligning its network of Chapters, Centers, State and Important Bird Area programs in the four major migratory flyways in the Americas, the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive. And as part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in over 100 in-country organizations all working to protect a network of Important Bird Areas around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level. What defines Audubon’s unique value is a powerful grassroots network of nearly 500 local chapters, 23 state offices, 41 Audubon Centers, Important Bird Area Programs in 50 states, and 700 staff across the country. Audubon is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
Position Summary
Through its Advocacy Center, the National Audubon Society identifies transformative conservation policy solutions and mobilizes the most effective conservation network in America to secure real protections for birds and the places they need now and into the future. The Center houses four key functions:
• Policy leadership that generates innovative solutions to improve implementation of bedrock laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act and as well as secure habitat protections on private and public lands,
• A bipartisan government relations team that ensures Audubon is a visible, trusted and influential resource to federal congressional and agency decision makers,
• A campaign team with the savvy and skill to bring Audubon’s network of bird-lovers and partners to bear to win policy victories and fundamentally change the politics of conservation at the local, state and federal levels, and
• A C4 organization, the National Audubon Society Action Fund, that enables Audubon’s advocacy and growing political influence from the ground up.
Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Giving, the Senior Director of Development, Advocacy is a critical member of Audubon’s Development Leadership. This newly created position will be responsible for building an advocacy-focused funding stream and raising Audubon’s profile within the political landscape and among its organizational peers. The Senior Director will partner with colleagues across the organization particularly the Policy team as well as with Executive leadership.
Essential Functions
• Develop, implement, and manage an advocacy fundraising plan—that includes communications, engagement, and stewardship strategies–focusing on individual major gifts
• Lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a personal portfolio of advocacy donors
• Create a work plan based on landscape scan and assessment to engage Audubon constituency members in strategic activities leading to campaigns
• Chart an ambitious path for growth in Audubon’s advocacy fundraising, including both c3 and c4 support that will dramatically expand Audubon’s impact within the policy and advocacy landscape
• Work collaboratively with other Development staff members, Policy Leadership, the Executive Team, and the President’s Office
Qualifications and Experience
• Prior experience with advocacy fundraising and/or political fundraising is a must—ideally 8-10 years in this type of environment with progressive responsibilities
• Passion about conservation and environmental issues is a must—interest in Audubon’s mission is ideal
• Proven track record of closing gifts of $100,000+ gifts
• Keen fundraising strategist who can effectively engage new and existing donors as well as an ability to foster strong working relationships with colleagues and external partners
• Proven ability to meet or exceed fundraising goals—and comfort operating in a metrics driven environment
• Ability to function collaboratively as a member of a national distributed team
• Passionate about inspiring donors to make a difference with their giving
• Ability to work independently, prioritize projects, and manage time efficiently
• Good sense of humor appreciated
• Willingness to travel—potentially as much as 25% of the time.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required