Senior Director, Climate Policy

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Reporting to the Vice President – Climate, the Senior Director of Federal Climate Strategy is a key member of the Audubon Climate Program in Washington, DC, and helps drive achievement the Climate Program’s objectives to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the federal level.

The Senior Director will be responsible for identifying, prioritizing, and negotiating federal legislative and regulatory opportunities to make progress on mitigating climate change, and mobilizing Audubon’s resources to achieve them. The Senior Director will represent Audubon with key partners and in the media.  They must have expertise in federal policy, including familiarity with Congress and executive branch agencies, climate and clean energy policy, and experience working with diverse stakeholders. This position will focus on executing Audubon’s national climate program priorities to make a strategic, highly leveraged contribution to the overall goal of mitigating climate change at a national level.

• Lead the development and execution of Audubon’s strategic federal climate and clean energy priorities, working
• closely with Audubon leadership and staff.
• Build partnerships with key internal and external, national and state level partners, and facilitate climate policy intervention strategies at the federal level.
• Represent Audubon with federal decision-makers, in coalitions with other organizations, and in the media.
• Work closely with Audubon’s climate campaigns team on planning, strategy, and execution of national climate
• campaigns.
• Work closely with Audubon’s communications team to tell the story of Audubon’s federal climate policy work  effectively communicating complex policy issues to non-technical audiences.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in policy, political science, or government affairs (or equivalent experience) required, graduate degree preferred.  An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered. 
• 12+ years of experience in climate and clean energy, advocacy, conservation, public service or related field, some of it focused on federal action, and at least 5 years in a leadership role. 
• Demonstrated leadership and professional network within the climate and clean energy community.
• Outstanding policy development, analysis and research skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within collaborative team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability synthesize and interpret technical information for various audiences.
• Experience working on issues related to climate and social equity preferred.
• Experience working in a decentralized organization that coordinates strategies for both local and national legislative issues a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Occasional travel required. 

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.

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.