Overview

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary

Audubon’s first Ethics and Compliance Officer (ECO) will be responsible for establishing and administering Audubon’s Ethics and Compliance Program. 

Under the supervision of the Office of General Counsel and working closely with Human Resources,  Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, Finance, and Senior Management, this position will help Audubon strengthen and maintain a culture of compliance within the organization by reviewing, evaluating and resolving compliance issues/concerns. 

The ECO will develop a new Code of Conduct; monitor and ensure the organization remains in compliance with relevant rules and regulations, as well as internal company policies and procedures; implement a strategy to coordinate the management of internal/external risks; and assure that across the organization the highest ethical standards are being met. Essential Functions

• Establish and support a compliance program, including its processes, policies, internal reporting system and resources.
• Provide a single collection and dissemination point for complaints and resources about ethics and compliance issues.
• Oversee development of a new confidential online complaint reporting platform.
• Monitor a complaint and reporting system, assess complaints and coordinate response by the appropriate department.
• Organize and lead a routine and coordinated effort among key responsible departments to review complaints and other issues being raised across the organization, including coordination among the offices of Ombuds, Restorative Justice, and the confidential online reporting platform.
• Monitor and assess compliance-related risks with respect to business activities and processes, and identify opportunities for programmatic improvements.
• Assemble and analyze compliance and risk-related data and statistics; create and disseminate reports, including to the Audit & Ethics Committee of the Board.
• Develop and coordinate training programs.
• Develop, periodically review and update Audubon relevant Audubon policies to ensure continuing relevance in providing guidance to management and employees.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of compliance and reporting responsibilities.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of related experience, preferably with a not-for-profit corporation, in this field, and at least 3 years in a leadership role. Law degree preferred, but not required.
• Experience building an ethics and compliance program.
• Experience in the interpretation and application of appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, and policies, with advice and counsel from the OGC.
• Sound judgment and decision-making ability, exercised with the utmost integrity and discretion.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to foster trust with individuals across the organization.
• Experience working with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience working with union-represented employees, preferred.
• Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Ability to be proactive and take a practical approach while adapting to change and prioritizing appropriately.
• Experience making presentations to diverse internal audiences from different organization functions.
• Working knowledge of current trends in the ethics and compliance field, including relevant issues, laws, and regulations.
• Experience in MS Office, Word, and Excel, including database management with ability to produce reports.
• Skilled at collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data.