Associate Director

Job Title: Associate Director
Department: Administration
Reports To: Executive Director & CEO
Location: Venus, Florida
FLSA Status:     ☒ Exempt     ☐ Non-Exempt
Employment Status:     ☒ Full-Time     ☐ Part-Time     ☐ Temporary     ☐ Seasonal

About Archbold
Archbold Biological Station is a distinctive nonprofit research, conservation, and education organization rooted in the landscapes of south-central Florida. Since 1941, Archbold has been dedicated to long-term ecological research, education, and conservation as part of the global effort to understand, interpret, and preserve the world’s natural heritage. Our work spans the globally significant ecosystems of the Lake Wales Ridge and Headwaters of the Everglades as well as Buck Island Ranch, a 10,300-acre working cattle ranch where science informs the future of Florida’s working lands. Across these landscapes, scientists, land stewards, educators, students, and partners work together to understand ecological change, conserve biodiversity, strengthen stewardship, and connect science with people and practical solutions.

Located in Lake Placid, Archbold offers the opportunity to live and work in a region renowned for its natural beauty and rural character. Lake Placid offers a distinctive quality of life in the heart of south-central Florida. Surrounded by lakes, ranchlands, and some of Florida’s most unique natural ecosystems, the area combines exceptional access to nature with the warmth of a small, friendly community. Away from the traffic and fast pace of Florida’s coastal cities, Lake Placid provides a quieter lifestyle while still offering an active local community and easy access to outdoor recreation throughout the region.

Position Summary
The Associate Director is a senior management leader who strengthens the people, management systems, and internal coordination that enable Archbold to carry out its mission effectively. Reporting to and working closely with the Executive Director & CEO, the Associate Director supervises a portfolio that includes archives, intern and volunteer coordination, communications, human resources, environmental education, event services, and facilities, translating organizational priorities into clear expectations, coordinated work, and follow-through.

People leadership is central to this position. Success depends on leading through capable managers and professionals rather than personally performing every function under the role's oversight. Archbold seeks a leader who manages with transparency, humility, clarity, and respect; listens well; supports appropriate autonomy and accountability; and helps people succeed. The role is based primarily at the Station but works across Archbold's diverse mission, including Buck Island Ranch, research, stewardship, working lands, education, outreach, and engagement.

Key Responsibilities
People Management & Leadership

• Directly supervise managers and professionals who lead their respective functional areas, with additional staff working within those teams.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, decision authority, performance expectations, and accountability aligned with organizational priorities.
• Coach supervisors and staff in management, communication, performance, professional development, delegation, and appropriate autonomy.
• Address personnel and operational challenges constructively and strengthen collaboration across teams.
• Partner with Human Resources on hiring, onboarding, performance management, staff development, and consistent workplace practices.

Organizational Effectiveness & Execution

• Oversee assigned administrative, engagement, and mission-support functions, ensuring managers and staff have the support and accountability needed to lead effectively.
• Translate institutional priorities into clear work plans, ownership, timelines, and follow-through; identify gaps or barriers that impede effective work.
• Improve systems, policies, workflows, and cross-functional coordination; track key decisions, commitments, and deadlines.
• Provide supervisory oversight of maintenance and other operational functions by setting priorities, clarifying responsibility, supporting appropriate decision-making, and ensuring follow-through.
•  Work with the Executive Director, CFO, and relevant managers on annual planning and budgeting for areas under the Associate Director’s oversight.

Mission Integration & Collaboration

• Work closely with the Executive Director and leadership team to support implementation of organization-wide priorities and coordinate cross-functional initiatives within delegated areas.
• Strengthen coordination among staff in stewardship, working lands, education, outreach, communications, and operations.
• Support education, outreach, communications, and public-engagement staff so mission-facing work is coordinated and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Provide clear, concise information and recommendations when executive decisions are needed.

Required Qualifications
Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, plus significant professional experience in organizational administration, operations, program management, or a related area.
• Master’s degree or other advanced education is strongly preferred, or an equivalent combination of advanced education and progressively responsible professional experience.
• Demonstrated success in organizational leadership, operational management, strategic planning, and/or program administration.

Experience

• Substantial, progressively responsible administrative and management experience involving organizational operations, personnel management, program oversight, and coordination across multiple functions or teams.
• Significant formal responsibility for directly supervising employees, including setting expectations, coaching, managing performance, supporting professional development, and fostering accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through other managers and professionals rather than personally performing all functions under their oversight.
• Strong understanding of and appreciation for science and scientific research in a mission-driven organization. Research experience is not required, but candidates must be comfortable working closely with scientists in a culture where evidence and long-term knowledge are central.
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of education, outreach, communications, and public engagement. Experience leading, supervising, or working closely with one or more of these functions is strongly preferred.

Certifications/Licenses

• None required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a nonprofit, research, educational, conservation, environmental, natural-resource, or similarly mission-driven organization; biological field-station familiarity is a significant advantage.
• Experience overseeing multiple functions such as human resources, education, communications, outreach, facilities/campus operations, events, volunteer or internship programs, or administrative services.
• Experience strengthening management systems, roles, performance, and accountability. Experience with conservation, land stewardship, natural-resource management, agriculture, ranching, or working lands is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to build trust, address difficult issues constructively, and work effectively across organizational levels.
• Sound judgment and discretion, with the ability to make independent decisions within delegated authority while collaborating closely with executive leadership.
• Ability to translate institutional priorities into clear roles, expectations, coordinated work, and follow-through across diverse functions.
• A transparent, humble, and accountable management approach that respects expertise and helps others succeed across Archbold's diverse mission.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements
This is primarily an on-site, office-based leadership position with regular movement around Archbold's campus and periodic work at Buck Island Ranch or other Archbold locations. Work may occasionally involve outdoor conditions, uneven terrain, meetings or activities outside normal office settings, and local travel. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Why Join Archbold?
The Associate Director will strengthen how Archbold supports its people and carries out its mission. Working closely with the Executive Director & CEO and leadership team, the role combines substantial responsibility for people and internal effectiveness with work across research, conservation, stewardship, education, engagement, and working landscapes. Eligible employees receive a competitive compensation and benefits package.

Compensation:
This position offers a competitive annual salary ranging from $100,000 to $120,000, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Starting salary will be determined based on the candidate's background and demonstrated expertise.

Remote Work or Hybrid Eligibility:
None

How to Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter through the application portal on Archbold's careers page. Applications will be reviewed as specified in the posting and continue until the position is filled. 

You may contact Jen Owen, Ph.D., Executive Director/CEO at [email protected] if you have any questions regarding this post.