Senior Manager, Everglades Policy

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager, Everglades Policy is charged with overseeing Audubon's Everglades work by coordinating the efforts of the team of professionals involved in public policy, advocacy, and science in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Reporting to the Florida Senior Policy Director, they develop effective strategies to implement Audubon's Everglades conservation priorities; build and maintain critical relationships with state and federal agencies and elected officials; coordinate with the Director of Development to appropriately cultivate prospective and existing donors; and work closely with the state Communications Manager and other staff to develop communications strategies that report on Everglades restoration progress.

The successful candidate will live in South Florida. This position will be full-time, remote in South Florida - SE counties preferred.

Compensation:

$101,000 - $111,000 / year

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions

• Under the guidance of the Florida Policy Director, Audubon's policy and science teams to organize information and decisions to carry out strategies and actions to advance Everglades restoration.

• Build and maintain relationships with elected and agency decision-makers and Audubon chapters to advance Audubon's policy priorities related to Everglades restoration. Serve as Audubon's lead liaison with the South Florida Water Management District.

• Incorporate policy outcomes of research at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the Everglades Science Center to inform Everglades policy including regional water quality and supply permitting, local land-use and zoning changes, as well as state legislation that may affect these issues.

• Understand program and project-level details of government-sponsored Everglades restoration plans and policies. Prepare and offer comments at public decision-making forums on Everglades restoration projects. Review and comment on agency plans, decision points, budgets, and schedules.

• Translate the needs to protect and restore the Everglades into decision matrices and work plans to prioritize organizational effort and collaboration with state and federal partners.

• Build and maintain relationships with conservation allies, including Audubon chapters, the Everglades Coalition, tribes, and non-traditional partners. Participate in meetings, workshops, and conferences with those allies.

• Help produce and guide Everglades communications documents including action alerts, social media materials, fact sheets, position statements, articles, newsletters, press releases, and bi-annual State of the Everglades report.

• Hire, supervise, and develop measurable goals and action plans for staff.

• Take specific measurable responsibility for working with the development team to cultivate donors for Everglades programs.

• Oversee the organizational budget for the Everglades policy program.

• Write and contribute to grant proposals and foundation reports in conjunction with the development department.

• Maintains and fosters culture of safety.

• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, natural resources, or related field required (Master's or law degree strongly preferred), as well as 7 years progressive policy or advocacy experience working in the government or non-profit arena. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working in federal, state, and local governmental processes.

• Keen understanding of current policy trends in Florida and key regions for the Everglades related to water, climate change, wildlife, land conservation, agriculture, land planning, and growth and economic development, and experience applying this knowledge to policy advocacy and implementation strongly preferred.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize and interpret technical information for various audiences.

• Superior relationship-building and interpersonal skills, including demonstrating a proven ability to: collaborate successfully with colleagues across an organization to develop conservation strategies; work easily and effectively with a wide range of people; act diplomatically while exhibiting an understanding and sensitivity to the dynamics of a complex organization.

• An optimistic leader, one who is comfortable overseeing teams and mentoring staff toward success.

• Experience in working in partnership with a network of local chapters and invested grassroots