Manager, Water Policy

Audubon

Water Policy Manager at Audubon Society focused on legislative advocacy and stakeholder engagement in South Carolina water policy. Building relationships and implementing conservation strategies across the state.

Posted 7/31/2026full-timeColumbia • South Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $75,526 - $84,967 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in public policy and water resource management, with a strong ability to build relationships and communicate complex information effectively. Proficient in developing policy strategies, advocacy materials, and managing multiple projects to advance conservation and water policy objectives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Public Policy ExpertiseWater Resource ManagementLegislative AdvocacyRelationship BuildingProject Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Policy DevelopmentLegislative StrategyWater Quality AnalysisWatershed ManagementGrant WritingReport WritingPresentation DevelopmentRegulatory AnalysisFunding Strategy DevelopmentNatural Resource Management

Soft Skills

Strong Communication SkillsPublic SpeakingFacilitationCollaborationIndependent Work

Tools & Technologies

Office Productivity Software

Industry Keywords

ConservationEnvironmental PolicySustainable GrowthSource Water ProtectionDrought PlanningGrowth ManagementCoalition BuildingStakeholder EngagementResilience InitiativesSouth Carolina State Water Plan

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build, manage, and maintain a diverse set of positive working relationships across South Carolina, collaborating and coordinating with elected officials, agency staff, local governments, utilities, landowners, partner organizations, businesses, consultants, and other stakeholders to advance shared conservation and water policy priorities.
In collaboration with the Policy Director, develop and implement policy strategies that advance SC’s conservation priorities, Flight Plan goals, and water policy objectives.
Monitor, analyze, and engage on legislative, administrative, regulatory, and funding opportunities related to water resources, resilience, source water protection, wetlands, watershed management, land conservation, and sustainable growth.
Lead work with Audubon staff, coalition partners, and stakeholders to identify and advance opportunities to implement recommendations from the South Carolina State Water Plan, resilience initiatives, and other planning efforts.
Coordinate and participate in statewide coalitions, working groups, and partnerships focused on water resources, resilience, land conservation, growth management, and environmental policy.
Develop policy briefs, reports, presentations, testimony, comments, and other materials to support advocacy efforts, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making.
Track, evaluate, and report progress toward policy, coalition, and organizational goals, while supporting efforts to secure funding, partnerships, and organizational capacity needed to advance strategic priorities.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree required in public policy, environmental science, natural resources, planning, political science, public administration, law, or a related field.
At least five years of professional experience in public policy, government affairs, legislative advocacy, water resources, conservation, natural resource management, or a related field.
Demonstrated knowledge of water policy issues, including water quantity, water quality, source water protection, watershed management, resilience, drought planning, land conservation, growth management, or related natural resource policy issues.
Experience developing and advancing legislative, regulatory, administrative, or funding strategies and working effectively within policymaking processes.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, landowners, community leaders, and coalition partners.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, facilitation, presentation development, and the ability to communicate complex policy and technical information to a variety of audiences.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines while working both independently and collaboratively.
Experience developing policy briefs, testimony, reports, comments, presentations, grant materials, or other written advocacy products.
Proficiency with standard office productivity software and technology.
Flexible schedule with the ability to work evenings and weekends as needed, especially during legislative session.
Willingness to travel throughout South Carolina and occasionally beyond the state as required.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Retirement plans
Flexible work arrangements