The Director of the Audubon Center at Bent of the River is responsible for the management, maintenance and recognition of the Center in the community and beyond.  The Director will be a visible and charismatic leader who demonstrates a passion for nature and conservation.  The Director works with the leadership of the Connecticut State Office to continue and expand the high quality presence of the Center in the community.  The Director will be responsible for planning, financing, operating, and managing the Center’s habitats, programs, and physical plant and for working with the other staff of the Center and the State Office to carry out the mission of Audubon in Connecticut. 

Essential Functions:

• Supervise all aspects of the operations of the Audubon Center at Bent of the River, including management of the properties, habitats, facilities, communications, education, science, and policy programs.
• Develop budgets and financial plans and manages expenses to ensure the fiscal health of the Center.  Includes preparation of annual operating and capital budgets with input from the Bent Stewardship Board, for review and approval by the Executive Director of Audubon Connecticut and the State and National Boards; monitoring revenues and expenses on a monthly basis; and financial reporting.
• Fundraise to meet annual contributions and capital campaign goals to support the Center’s educational programs, policy and scientific research activities, and land stewardship functions, including a leadership role in campaign planning, major donor cultivation, annual appeals, and events.
• Manage personnel, including hiring, supervision, and evaluation of all Center staff.  Must be informed about all human resources policies and positions of the National Audubon Society.
• Represent Audubon within the community and throughout the Bent’s service area   including attendance at meetings, seminars, and conferences and working with the media to advance the programs and activities of the Bent of the River Audubon Center.
• Director must reside on-site in the Clark House at the Audubon Center at Bent of the River.

Additional Functions:

• Provide effective oral and written presentations, and appear before governmental agencies as necessary.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Internal:

• Report to the Deputy Director of the Connecticut State Office; required to keep the Deputy Director informed of all aspects of the position’s responsibilities and duties. 
• Supervise assigned personnel, interns and volunteers. 
• Work closely with the Audubon Connecticut Development Team and the Directors of Governmental Affairs and Bird Conservation.
• Coordinate activities and functions with other Audubon facilities in Connecticut. 
• Maintain a cooperative and productive working relationship with all Audubon personnel. 

External:

• Develop close working relationships with all members of the Bent of the River Stewardship Board; manage the Board’s activities; and recruit new members as needed. 
• Develop close working relationships with local Audubon members and chapters, and provide support services consistent with the policies and positions of the National Audubon Society.
• Maintain close contact with community leaders, other environmental organizations in the region, the general public, the media, elected officials, and government authorities.

• Familiarity with computers, fax and copy machines, scanners, cameras, telephones and other standard office equipment.
• Familiarity with the Microsoft Office operating system and business software packages, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and desktop publishing software like Quark Xpress or Adobe InDesign.
• Tractors, plows, chainsaws and other landscape maintenance equipment.
• Trucks, gators, and other vehicles.
• Familiarity with GIS software desirable.

Graduation from college or university with a bachelors degree in business, education or environment-related subjects, plus at least five years of broad-based experience in the business, non-profit management, government or education field. Advanced degree preferred.  Must have experience in budgeting, financial planning, management and reporting; fundraising; and the direct supervision, management, and motivation of employees and volunteers.  Knowledge of the principles of biology, ecology, ornithology, and other science topics is helpful.  Must be able to comprehend technical reports and scientific studies.  Must possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and must be a motivated self-starter.  Must demonstrate a passion for nature and conservation.  Must possess a valid driver’s license. 

• Sit, stand, grasp, lift, carry, climb, kneel, stand, push, pull for extended periods of time. 
• Able to walk 5+ miles over rough terrain.
• Operate tractors, plows, chainsaws and other landscape maintenance equipment.
• Operate trucks, gators, and other vehicles.

Commensurate with experience. Please include your salary requirement in your letter. Competitive benefits package.

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 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.