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Associate Director
Job Location:
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
29 September 2026 (29 days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
27 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
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 worlds 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 10300-acre working cattle ranch where science informs the future of Floridas 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 Floridas 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 Floridas 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 roles 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 Archbolds diverse mission including Buck Island Ranch research stewardship working lands education outreach and engagement.
Key Responsibilities
People Management & Leadership
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 worlds 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 10300-acre working cattle ranch where science informs the future of Floridas 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 Floridas 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 Floridas 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 roles 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 Archbolds 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 Directors 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
Education
- Bachelors degree in a relevant field plus significant professional experience in organizational administration operations program management or a related area.
- Masters 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 Archbolds diverse mission.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
This is primarily an on-site office-based leadership position with regular movement around Archbolds 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 $100000 to $120000 commensurate with experience education and qualifications. Starting salary will be determined based on the candidates background and demonstrated expertise.
Remote Work or Hybrid Eligibility:
None
How to Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter through the application portal on Archbolds 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 if you have any questions regarding this post.
This is primarily an on-site office-based leadership position with regular movement around Archbolds 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 $100000 to $120000 commensurate with experience education and qualifications. Starting salary will be determined based on the candidates background and demonstrated expertise.
Remote Work or Hybrid Eligibility:
None
How to Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter through the application portal on Archbolds 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 if you have any questions regarding this post.
Archbold is an equal opportunity employer. We take action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability Veteran status or other legally protected status. Archbold will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and stands proud of its collaborative culture.
Archbolds mission is to build and share the scientific knowledge needed to protect the life lands and waters of Florida and beyond. Archbolds footprint encompasses the ancient scrub habitats of the Lake Wales Ridge; the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape; the vast open ranchlands of Central Florida; and the many waterways that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and then drain to the coasts touching the lives of millions of Floridians. Archbold studies and protects these natural wonders as ecosystems: as complex networks shaped by measurable natural processes. Our dozens of research sites encompass the pristine sand dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge; the ranchlands and wetlands that make up much of Central Florida; and the rivers that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and beyond.
Today Archbold stewards a rich mosaic of natural habitats native ecosystems working lands and historic buildings at Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch. The Station and the Ranch serve as the place-based crucible for our innovative science conservation and education programs. These draw from a long deep history dating back from our beginnings founded by Richard Archbold in 1941.
Achbold is an E-Verify Employer
Achbold is an E-Verify Employer
Required Experience:
Director
