Managing Director, North America

The National Audubon Society (Audubon), an influential and iconic $190 million nonprofit, is partnering with Isaacson, Miller to recruit for a newly created role of Managing Director, North America. For more than a century, Audubon has protected birds and the places they and people need. Its legacy is built on science, education, advocacy, and on-the-ground conservation—all brought together through an unparalleled network of 16 state and regional offices, 32 nature centers, 23 sanctuaries, 450 local chapters, 160 campus chapters, and more than 700 staff across the Americas. With a growing and increasingly diverse membership (currently 1.8 million), Audubon is uniquely positioned to drive positive change locally, nationally, and throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The Managing Director is a core member of the Conservation leadership team, reporting to Audubon’s Chief Conservation Officer and leading a team of six direct reports who guide key strategic priorities for the organization: the Vice Presidents of Habitat Conservation; Climate Action; Alaska; Canada; Conservation Action, Eastern Flyway; and Conservation Action, Western Flyway. The vast majority of Audubon’s staff report into the two Flyways, including all state and regional offices and nature centers across the United States. With oversight of an annual budget of $85 million and a widely dispersed staff of 500, the Managing Director has one of the most consequential senior management roles within the entire Audubon organization.

The position calls for a multi-faceted professional to serve both as a dynamic operational leader and as a creative thought partner within Audubon’s senior conservation team. In a highly matrixed and distributed organization, the Managing Director must be an especially strong and flexible collaborator, able to draw upon and help steer the talents of Audubon’s outstanding staff across North America. Skills in team building, delegation, and effective staff management at scale are essential. A demonstrated passion for Audubon’s mission and excitement about its strategies are also required.

Nella Young, Karson Freeman, Kennedy Kearney, and Karen Wilcox are leading this search with Harley Bartles. A full position profile will be posted here shortly.