Executive Director, Santa Barbara Audubon Society

Position: Executive Director, Santa Barbara Audubon Society

Background: Founded in 1963, Santa Barbara Audubon Society (SBAS) is dedicated to conserving and celebrating the birds and wildlife of southern Santa Barbara County. A chapter of the National Audubon Society, SBAS is an independent nonprofit that advocates locally on behalf of important habitats and species, and hosts bird-focused community science initiatives and programs, educational outreach, and birding events.

Mission Statement: Santa Barbara Audubon Society protects area birdlife and habitat and connects people with birds through education, conservation, and science.

Job Description: We are in search of a full-time Executive Director (ED) for the Santa Barbara Audubon Society (SBAS), the local chapter of the National Audubon Society. This is a newly established position, as the ED was previously part-time. The ED works with the SBAS Board of Directors to carry out its mission, policies, and programs and serves as one of the key public faces of Audubon in the community. The ED reports to the SBAS President. The work schedule is variable and entails attendance at some evening or weekend events or meetings. The work environment is currently comprised of home office, meetings, and public settings.

Job Information: This is a salaried exempt position and employment is at-will. Three weeks of vacation time, 40 hours of sick time, and 6 paid holidays per year are included. Health care benefit contribution provided. Cal Savers optional. Annual salary range: $90,000 to $110,000, commensurate with experience.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities (but not limited to):

• Administration and Operations Management of SBAS 40%
• Program Implementation and Management 30%
• Fundraising, Membership, and Donor Management 30%

Administration and Operations Management of SBAS - 40%

Working with the SBAS Board, the Executive Director is responsible for the administration and day-to-day operations of the organization. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Day-to-day financial operations and reporting. Serves on the Finance Committee and leads the creation of the annual budget. Works with the Treasurer & Bookkeeper to monitor revenue and expenses, assisting with the preparation of tax filings when necessary.
• Supervision of staff. Manages payroll and other employment matters including hiring and employee benefits when applicable. Oversees time management, teamwork, and efficiencies of all staff. Maintains personnel files and employee handbook with the assistance of our Human Resources consultant when necessary.
• Monthly report to the Board and attendance at Board meetings, annual meeting, and retreat. Compiles and submits Annual report to National Audubon Society. Maintains relations with other chapters and local community organizations.
• Understands and takes steps to manage risk. This includes ensuring that documents such as signed waivers/photo releases, licenses, permits, and insurance documents are executed and filed and that SBAS is compliant with State and Federal filings.
• Ensures that SBAS operates functionally and correctly, including safe working conditions, necessary technology, and the creation and maintenance of policies. Supervises outside contractors and any contract management.
• Performs other essential duties, including general administrative and business management tasks, that would be expected within the general scope of the ED position.

Program Implementation and Management - 30%

The Executive Director promotes SBAS’s mission to protect the area birdlife and habitat, and connect people with birds through education, conservation, and science. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Serves as the society’s chief ambassador, including attending and providing public comments on behalf of SBAS at events, public forums, to local government committees or officials or other entities. Some of these may be in the evening and on weekends.
• Oversees the Eyes in the Sky (EITS) Program. Supervises the EITS Director and assists in aviary volunteer management and bird welfare as necessary. Ensures required permits are obtained.
• Coordinates with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History both with regards to EITS and other events and mutual interests.
• Transmits SBAS Board or Committee-generated written correspondence to appropriate authorities in a timely manner.
• Supports committees to enable them to achieve their goals. This may be purely administrative or include organizing volunteers, staff or other Board members.
• Plan, budget and initiate, with board approval, new programs or events, or help other Committees or members with the same.

Fundraising, Membership, and Donor Management - 30%

The Executive Director works closely with the Board to strengthen the Chapter’s financial base through marketing, fundraising and outreach. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Maintain positive relations with grantors, donors, & members. Cultivate new sources of income. Plan and execute campaigns for members, grantors, endowment or specific projects as needed.
• Oversee administration of donor management including membership and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database. Schedules activity and communications necessary for funding drives. Ability to pull and analyze CRM reports and use the information for the benefit of SBAS
• Overall responsibility for grants: Initiation, strategy in partnership with the board, and administration. Main communication interface with grantors. Coordinate with our grant writing consultants in shaping application strategy and maintaining and complying with a calendar of opportunities and application and report deadlines. Maintain grant files.
• Assists in recruitment of Board members, chapter members, and volunteers. Overall volunteer supervision.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent, preferably in business administration or a science.

Experience: Leadership in a mission driven, non-profit 501(c)(3) working with a board that sets policy, strategy, and goals. Non-profit general administration, including business, finance, staffing, volunteers, marketing, and fundraising.

Knowledge/Skills: General knowledge of the nonprofit sector, especially in Santa Barbara. Familiarity with environmental and land use laws. Familiarity with local birds and habitat. Experience accessing and interpreting data and reports from CRM software (DonorPerfect) and from Quickbooks. Business proficiency in MS Office Suite and/or Google Workspace.

Ability to work from home, including stable wifi and reliable phone connection or coverage.

Experience using social media and websites.

Must exercise discretion and confidentiality in handling board/staff/member/donor/volunteer information.

Accuracy and attention to detail a must.

Must be authorized to work in the United States and able to pass a background check.

Local residency in Santa Barbara County preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

Passionate about birds, wildlife, and conservation.

Creative problem-solver with confidence and a level of comfort in taking the initiative to manage administrative and strategic risks and opportunities.

Collaborative and eager to work, lead, and learn in a dynamic team-driven environment.

Flexible, organized and process-oriented when managing multiple projects and priorities.

A pragmatic optimist, tempered by realism, who can see through or around obstacles and seek ways to strengthen and innovate the organization.

Exhibits a high level of emotional intelligence, practices discretion, and acts with integrity.

Physical Requirements: Applicant must be able to perform the following activities:

Adjust or move objects up to 20 pounds in all directions

Ascend or descend stairs

Remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods, often standing or sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Santa Barbara Audubon Society is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work culture.