Program Director, Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust

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 Executive Director of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust (GSLWET or Trust), Program Director, GSLWET, will be a key member of the growing GSLWET and the National Audubon Society (Audubon) Saline Lakes Program team, working in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy of Utah (TNC), the State of Utah, and the Community Foundation of Utah, as we launch the Trust.

GSLWET has been established pursuant to an Act passed by the Utah Legislature in 2022. Working with partners, the Trust will:

• Support voluntary water leases and acquisitions to retain existing flows or enhance flows and improve water quality and quantity for wildlife areas at Great Salt Lake.
• Protect and restore upstream wetlands and habitats in the Great Salt Lake's surrounding ecosystem to benefit the hydrology of the Great Salt Lake.
• Identify priority areas and protect essential habitats and hydrology connected with the lake, including areas providing return flow and groundwater recharge.
• Identify and address infrastructure needs and projects to improve water distribution or otherwise respond to low water levels and rising salinity in the lake.
• Support water management and planning efforts with key stakeholders.

Under the leadership of the Executive Director, the Program Director will help build and lead the new Trust focused on Great Salt Lake. They will help oversee GSLWET operations and projects through to success, including meeting project deadlines, financial goals, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners. Together, with the Executive Director, they will be responsible for managing priority strategies and programs. Additionally, this role will help with local and regional development and outreach opportunities (donors, foundations, and grants) to support the work of the Trust.

This a hybrid role based in Utah, with an expectation of an average of at least three (3) days a week in the Salt Lake City office.

Compensation: 

$100,000-$110,000 / year

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, provide strategic and operational guidance for the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust.
• Manage the development, tracking, and implementation of annual work plans, annual budgets, reporting, and consulting contracts.
• Oversee complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting project deadlines, financial goals, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
• Manage financial and programmatic goals in order to best leverage and deploy financial resources; while assisting with budget accountability for all Trust matters, including annual budgets and project/transaction budgets.
• Ensure maintenance of official Trust records and documents, consistent with compliance of federal and state regulations, including submission of GSLWET financial reports to the State of Utah.
• Help manage the requirements and conformance to agreement obligations concerning the Trust.
• Supervise staff through establishment of work objectives and priorities, reviewing and revising these objectives on an ongoing basis to guide and mentor team members in their work progress.
• Support the Executive Director in interacting with the Trust Advisory Council. Engage a variety of stakeholders by shaping outreach and communication strategies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with partners, including but not limited to The Nature Conservancy, the Community Foundation of Utah, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public.
• Represent GSLWET as an ambassador and raise its profile and visibility with donors, partners, policymakers, other stakeholders including the public.
• Partner with the Executive Director and development staff, to fundraise, meet with donors, conduct follow up cultivation, and ensure timely reporting. Assist in development of relations with individual, corporate and foundation donors and participate in donor meetings as needed.
• Help identify, develop and write grants to fund projects.
• Partner with Audubon staff to ensure equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated in GWSLET programming and work.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, natural resource management, legal, environmental science, engineering, or other relevant field of expertise required, advance degree a plus. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Ten (10) years of progressive professional experience, including 3-5 years at a senior management level with comparable project and budget responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
• Demonstrated success and comfort with fundraising, including developing and writing grant proposals to support GSLWET purposes.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the current issues facing the Great Salt Lake watershed, desired.
• Knowledge of Utah water law and policy preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentations, that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus among diverse audiences. Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Outstanding people skills, judgment, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build coalitions with a wide range of individuals and organizations.
• Exceptional judgment and tact with the ability to exercise a high level of diplomacy, balance and flexibility to develop cohesive and durable solutions and negotiate successful outcomes, even when dealing with sensitive situations and personalities.
• Demonstrated experience managing institutional and/or government funding and contracts required.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to collaborate with partners, and manage teams and projects ethically and in a timely manner.
• A self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively manage a complex workflow.
• Exceptional organizational ability, attention to detail and a can-do attitude are essential.
• Bookkeeping and contract preparation experience a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including excel, and web-based applications required.
• Willing to conduct some in-state travel, occasional out-of-state travel and be comfortable with working evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.

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.

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