Center Director

Center Director

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 K12 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 on-site at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center.

Compensation : $92,000 - $103,000 / year

Essential Functions

Leadership and Staff Management

• 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.

Budget and Fundraising

Program Development, Coordination and Delivery

Marketing and Community Outreach

Land and Facilities Management

Qualifications and Experience :

National Audubon Society Competencies

This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Building Trust : Take actions that give others confidence in your intentions and see you as a truthful and reliable person who follows through on promises and commitments.

Coaching : Guide and develop individuals within the organization, nurturing their professional growth and enhancing performance for the future.

Decision Making : Make decisions based on comparative data and input from various sources, incorporating diverse viewpoints and insights for a holistic