The National Audubon Society is hiring a Director, Energy Partnerships to play a central role in advancing our clean energy strategy. Reporting to the Senior Director, Climate Strategy, you will build and manage strategic partnerships with clean energy and transmission industries, decision-makers, and NGOs to align renewable energy development with bird conservation and climate mitigation goals.
What You'll Do
- Support development and execution of Audubon's Clean Energy Initiative strategies aligned with broader climate and conservation goals.
- Identify, cultivate and manage strategic relationships with clean energy and transmission industry stakeholders, utilities, RTOs, and NGOs, identifying opportunities for collaboration and problem-solving.
- Represent Audubon in national, regional and state coalitions, working groups, convenings, and other external engagements focused on clean energy and transmission development, including siting, permitting and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and transmission infrastructure.
- Collaborate with state and regional Audubon teams to support and inform local clean energy and transmission engagement opportunities, ensuring alignment with national priorities.
- Serve as a trusted resource and central point of contact for internal staff engaging with the clean energy and transmission sectors, providing coordination, guidance, and strategic insight.
- Facilitate knowledge exchange and peer learning across Audubon’s network to support clean energy and transmission engagement and partnership development.
- Track and communicate emerging trends in the clean energy industry relevant to climate benefits and conservation of bird species and habitat, including policy development, siting and operation practices and research and implementation of new technologies.
- Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts in partnership with members of the Climate and Development teams, including proposal development, reporting, and donor engagement.
- Work closely with Audubon's communications team to tell the story of Audubon's clean energy and transmission work, translating complex issues for broader audiences.
- Promote an organizational culture and structure that fosters cooperation, communication, collaboration, respect, teamwork, and trust.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
- Maintain and foster culture of safety.
What We're Looking For
- 10+ years progressive, professional experience in federal, state and/or local government relations, permitting policies for wind, solar and transmission, advocacy, public relations, and solid and verifiable conservation or natural resource management on species and habitat, clean energy collaboration, and/or public service.
- Working knowledge of climate change and federal, state and/or local energy regulatory policy, strong understanding of permitting processes and relevant state and federal agencies, strong commitment to bird conservation.
- Exceptional project management skills; including managing complex or multiple projects through to success, meeting project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
- A self-starter, one who is able to work collaboratively with staff at multiple career levels in a matrix organization.
- Proven record of building and activating diverse coalitions to successfully advance policy or program outcomes.
- Experience working in a decentralized organization that coordinates strategies for national, state and local legislative issues.
- Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus.
- Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other web-based project management products.
- Must have a flexible approach to work, with a willingness to travel as needed.
- Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Nice to Have
- Connections with leading experts in the fields and with funders of climate change work is plus.
- Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.
Technical Stack
- Microsoft Office
- Web-based project management products
Team & Environment
You will be a key member of Audubon’s climate team, reporting to the Senior Director, Climate Strategy. You will work in close coordination with Audubon’s regional and state teams, federal policy team, and habitat leads.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary: $92,000 - $103,000/year (National); $103,000 - $116,000/year (Alaska, CA (not San Francisco), Connecticut, D.C., Chicago, Oyster Bay, NY); $115,000 - $129,000/year (NYC (not Oyster Bay), San Francisco, Seattle)
Work Mode
This is a national position.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
