Center Director

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science‑based, community‑driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet.

Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever‑growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more ubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Opened in 2004, Mitchell Lake Audubon Center (MLAC) encompasses 1,200 acres of diverse habitats on San Antonio’s southside, including Mitchell Lake, wetlands, ponds, grasslands, and woodlands. As an internationally recognized birding site and nature preserve, MLAC attracts thousands of visitors annually and promotes conservation through K–12 and public education, habitat restoration, and community partnerships. Its programs align with Audubon’s Flight Plan, integrating science, education, policy, and habitat management to advance urban conservation and connect people with nature.

The Center Director will be a strategic and visionary leader responsible for advancing MLAC’s mission, operations, and impact. Reporting to the VP & Executive Director of Audubon Texas, they will oversee habitat, trails, and facilities management; lead education, outreach, and public engagement programs; and manage staff, volunteers, and contractors. The Director will cultivate diverse partnerships, represent MLAC in the Greater San Antonio area, and drive fundraising efforts to ensure long‑term sustainability.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic, collaborative leader passionate about conservation, habitat restoration, education, and community engagement. This position is classified as on‑site based at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center in San Antonio, TX.

$92,000 – $103,000 / year

• Recruit, hire, and manage staff and interns; foster a collaborative, high‑performing team with professional development opportunities consistent with program needs and budget.
• Monitor the performance of all positions directly supervised and conduct annual performance reviews. Cultivate emerging staff leaders.
• Provide dynamic, collaborative leadership for the Center’s mission, strategy, core program areas, and operating departments consistent with Audubon’s Flight Plan.
• Preserve and cultivate a culture of mutual respect, individual initiative, collegiality, and diversity; collaborate with staff to identify and implement best practices and evaluate outcomes.
• Conduct regular Center staff meetings and promote clear, open information exchange to support and advance program goals.
• Oversee and regularly review all operational aspects of the Center facilities, budgets, programs, and staffing strategy.
• Work closely with the Texas VP & Executive Director to maintain an excellent working relationship with the MLAC Advisory Board, while also building Board capacity.
• Lead MLAC Advisory Board meetings, create consistent board materials and reports, and engage board members to utilize their expertise for MLAC mission advancement.
• Engage with partners, strengthening MLAC’s connections with local, state, and federal agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and community leaders.
• Establish and regularly review and update Center procedures. Maintain and foster a culture of safety.

• Work with the Texas VP & Executive Director, Finance Manager, and Development team to develop and deliver required budgeting, financial, and project reporting deliverables. Oversee expenses to stay within the budget.
• With the guidance of development staff, meet with donors and host donor events at the Center.
• Build on existing sources of…