Center Manager
Location: Cedar Hill, Texas
Immediate Supervisor: Center Director
Division/Department: Dogwood Canyon

• Implement strategic and business plans for the Center.
• Along with the Center Director, work with the architects and contractor to understand the construction of building and support facilities, and the fabrication and installation of owner specified finish outs. 

• Along with support from Center Director and Audubon Texas Director of Conservation Education oversee the creation and implementation of educational and interpretive programs that contribute to environmental awareness and are consistent with Audubon’s 2020 Vision and exemplify the programmatic direction of Audubon Texas and the National Audubon Society.
• Implement the Ten Essential Elements of Audubon Centers, including all branding strategies.
• Develop a close working relationship with the leadership of the Audubon Dallas chapter and chapter members, and provide supporting services consistent with the policies and positions of Audubon.
• Act as voice of Audubon in the Cedar Hill and the southwest Dallas County area on the mission of Audubon, the programs developed around it, and the vision for the future.
• Maintain an open communication network between the Center Stewardship Board, Audubon Texas and the National Audubon Society.
• Devise and carry out methods of evaluating the success of Center programs.

• Work with Center Director and development staff and local volunteers to raise annual operating funds for the Center.
• Assist in coordinating the recruitment, development, and training of the stewardship committee.
• Work with Volunteer Coordinator to coach and motivate volunteers with enthusiasm and commitment to the campaign.
• Coordinate with Development Manager and the state Director of Development on all annual and capital fundraising activities.
• Work with Center Director to develop an ambitious but practical annual program and budget for the Center.
• Present and advocate the Center’s budget.
• Manage operating expenses, income budgets and capital budgets.
• Develop a sustainable revenue stream to support a growing Center program.
• Work with the Center Director and development staff to create, plan, and coordinate effective long-range development strategies for the education and land management missions of the Center.
• Make personal contacts to cultivate current and potential individual donors, corporations, and foundations.  Keep donors informed of the Center’s progress and significant accomplishments.

• Work with the City of Cedar Hill, Dallas County, the City of Dallas, Texas Parks & Wildlife and other partners to develop an integrated, long-range land management plan for the property around the Center.
• Identify other key partners who will collaborate on the execution of the land management strategies.
• Layout and construct trails and other supporting features as necessary.
• Monitor and maintain trails and facilities, anticipating and remedying deterioration and possible safety problems to provide for customer needs

• Work with Center Director in developing a marketing and promotions plan for the Center and its programs.
• Assist in maintenance of the Center website.

• Oversee all operational aspects of the Audubon Center facilities, budgets and programs.
• Hire and supervise staff.
• Along with the Volunteer Coordinator help initiate and oversee an active volunteer program.
• Involve staff, Stewardship Board, and key center partners in developing measurable goals and action plans, as well as a process for monitoring and assessing progress.
• Develop and cultivate relationships with other organizations that share the Audubon mission.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

• Establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships with Center Director, the Audubon Dallas Chapter, Audubon members, and the larger conservation community.
• Meet all operation and program development goals developed with the Center Director.
• Meet all assigned deadlines.  Meet all administrative and reporting standards.
• Meet all fundraising and development requirements.

• The successful applicant will work collaboratively with individuals in a team-oriented atmosphere.  He/she must have a passion for conservation and the natural resources of Texas.  The individual must be able to think strategically and creatively, juggle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work in a dynamic environment.  The manager must be able to effectively manage change.   A can-do attitude and a tolerant, friendly personality with a great sense of humor are essential.  Good organizational skills and facility for working with volunteers is required.  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Software is essential.
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in education, non-profit management, environmental studies, or related field required--graduate degree preferred.  Five years of management in nature centers, science museums, or field studies programs, is a plus.  Proven experience
  in budget development and management.  Demonstrated fundraising ability; working knowledge of educational program design and assessment; knowledge of wildlife conservation issues and ability to articulate them and inspire participation. Demonstrated success in the management of very motivated staff and volunteers.
• Applicants with experience working with nonprofit, volunteer-based organizations are preferred.  A minimum of five years of management experience is required.  Direct experience with nature center management and fundraising is highly desirable.  This is a full-time position.  Salary is commensurate with experience.  This position includes full employee benefits, including health insurance and retirement savings plans.
• The Dogwood Canyon Center Manager will be a member of the Texas State Office Senior Management and will report to the Center Director.

Walk the property repeatedly, lift, bend and twist as necessary in regard to maintenance and daily operations.  Ability to hike all current and future trails on the property.

Computer; telephone systems; security systems; landscaping equipment; appropriate maintenance equipment

Internal: Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Director, Audubon Texas Executive Director, Dogwood Canyon Center Stewardship Board,  National Audubon Society Senior VP for Centers and Education, National Audubon Society Director of Field Support--Centers & Education, National Audubon Society VP for State Programs, National Audubon Society VP for Development Initiatives, Audubon Texas Capital Campaign Manager, Audubon Texas Director of Development, and NAS senior leadership.

External: City of Cedar Hill leadership, Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex educational leaders—at all levels; donors/supporters (individual, corporate, foundation, and state and federal agency); potential supporters; and community leaders.

The National Audubon Society's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the Earth's biological diversity.  Audubon Texas is a partnership with the National Audubon Society and Texas's 21 independent Audubon Chapters.  Audubon Texas has four keystone initiatives: conservation science (to include community-based wildlife habitat conservation, the Important Bird Areas program, and citizen science programs), conservation education, public policy/outreach, and support to Audubon chapters.

Audubon promotes a diverse workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.  It is the policy of the National Audubon Society to employ the man or woman best qualified for the job regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability (handicap) or marital status.