Senior Director, Conservation Communications

About Audubon:

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 Vice President of Communications, the Senior Director of Conservation Communications will provide strategic communications leadership across the breadth of Audubon's conservation work.

The Senior Director will develop and execute integrated conservation communications strategies, lead media relations for major conservation initiatives, manage and develop one or more direct reports, and provide mentorship and coordination for communications staff working on conservation priorities throughout the organization.

This position will work across conservation, science, field, policy, marketing, development, and other teams to integrate messaging, amplify conservation priorities, and engage diverse audiences — including policymakers, donors, the general public, the scientific community, Audubon chapters, and international partners.

Ultimately, this is a strategic, organization-wide role with hemispheric impact, designed to ensure that Audubon's conservation priorities are positioned within the broader organizational brand and Flight Plan 2023–2028.

This position is classified as hybrid, 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 Audubon's offices in New York, NY, Washington, DC or Oakland, CA.

Compensation:

Salary range based on geo-differentials:

• $162,000 - $182,000 = Washington, DC 

• $180,000 - $202,000 = New York, NY; Oakland, CA

Essential Functions:

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive conservation communications strategies that advance Audubon's conservation priorities across climate, habitat, and science, partnering with teams across the organization to ensure consistency with messaging and Flight Plan 2023–2028.

• Support the Vice President of Communications, ensuring that conservation communications aligns with and advances broader organizational messaging and brand positioning.

• Serve as a key communications partner and strategic advisor to Audubon’s conservation leaders, providing communications strategy, counsel, and support for executive visibility, major initiatives, and organizational priorities.

• Translate complex conservation issues into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, including creating message frameworks, talking points, and strategic content.

• Lead conservation content creation, including digital content for the web and other platforms, ensuring alignment with broader organizational messaging.

• Lead media relations for major conservation initiatives, cultivating strategic relationships with key media influencers, reporters, journalists, producers, and editors to ensure Audubon has a prominent voice in the conservation landscape.

• Manage and develop a team of conservation communications professionals, maintaining and fostering a culture of inclusion and safety.

• Provide mentorship, coordination, and strategic guidance to communications staff working on conservation priorities throughout the organization and across geographic regions, fostering collaboration and alignment across teams.

• Support the expansion of Audubon's conservation presence in Spanish-language media outlets.

• Identify and secure high-level opportunities for conservation leadership to participate in events, conferences, speaking engagements, and media appearances, working collaboratively with the communications team.

• Provide crisis communications support and develop rapid-response messaging related to conservation issues as needed.

• Monitor conservation trends, stay attuned to Audubon's conservation successes, and track communications best practices and emerging trends to ensure messaging is timely, compelling, and impactful.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of experience in strategic communications, public relations, or related fields, including significant experience in conservation, environmental, or science communications, with at least 3 years of leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Proven track record of developing and executing strategic communications plans for senior leaders and complex organizations, with measurable results demonstrating impact.

• Demonstrated experience leading conservation communications across multiple issue areas (climate, habitat, science, policy) and engaging diverse audiences, including policymakers, donors, media, the scientific community, and the public.

• Leadership experience, including managing and mentoring communications professionals, fostering collaboration across teams, and providing strategic guidance to senior executives.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex conservation and scientific concepts into clear, compelling narratives for varied audiences.

• Extensive experience managing media relations, including cultivating relationships with journalists, securing high-impact coverage, and serving as a spokesperson.

• Demonstrated experience creating digital content for web and other platforms.

• Strategic mindset with excellent judgment, ability to maintain confidentiality in high-stakes environments, and capacity to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.

• Experience with crisis communications and rapid-response messaging.

• Understanding of the social media and digital landscape and how to leverage platforms to enhance organizational visibility and engagement.

• Experience working with distributed teams and multiple stakeholders is preferred.

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

• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally, both domestically and internationally (up to 15%). 

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Building Trust: Take actions that give others confidence in your intentions and 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 strategic vision to help team members and the organization achieve long-term goals.  

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

Accessibility Statement

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