Mass Audubon Cape Cod is seeking an Operations Manager for Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sancuary.
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.
About This Position
Mass Audubon is looking for an experienced and passionate professional to manage Mass Audubon’s operational and financial functions at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in South Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Established in 1957, the sanctuary spans approximately 1,183 acres and offers a diverse range of habitats including salt marshes, sandy barrier beaches, and pine woodlands. Visitors can explore over five miles of trails, with a half-mile universally accessible path, providing panoramic views of Wellfleet Harbor. A year-round nature center with interpretive exhibits and aquariums enhances visitor experiences. A renowned destination for birdwatching and wildlife viewing opportunities, the sanctuary also engages in conservation efforts, such as monitoring Diamondback terrapin nests and rescuing cold-stunned sea turtles. Throughout the year, the sanctuary offers various programs, including summer camps for children, adult field schools, and birding excursions. Additionally, a 15-site campground is available exclusively for Mass Audubon members.
The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing visitor services and administrative operations at the sanctuary. This role ensures seamless front-line experiences for guests while optimizing operational efficiency in areas such as membership sales, admissions, and retail transactions. The Operations Manager leads a team dedicated to both administrative duties (payment processing, budgeting, and reporting), visitor experience functions (greeting guests, providing information, and fostering membership growth), and volunteer engagement (recruitment, onboarding, and stewardship). This position reports to the Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary Director and plays a critical role in enhancing visitor engagement, maximizing revenue opportunities, and ensuring outstanding customer service. In addition to managing day-to-day activities, the Operations Manager will be a key member of the sanctuary leadership team, helping to develop policy, budgets, and strategic plans for the sanctuary. The Operations Manager may also serve on various Mass Audubon committees to provide support and/or input on statewide initiatives.
Application Instructions
Please submit a resume and cover letter with your ADP application. Only applications with these materials will be reviewed.
Responsibilities
Visitor Services & Experience
- Oversee front-line visitor engagement, ensuring all guests receive a warm welcome, clear information, and high-quality service
- Develop and implement strategies to enhance visitor satisfaction and convert visitors into members
- Maintain accurate visitor data, attendance tracking, and membership records
- Ensure proper staffing coverage and train staff on visitor service best practices, membership promotion, and sanctuary experience details
- Maintain gift shop and work with staff to purchase items, maintain inventory and manage sales
- Work with staff to ensure visitor-facing communications (including sanctuary phone messages, display cases, brochures, and website information) are up to date
- Work with Volunteer Coordinator to recruit, train, and engage volunteers, including supervision of those assisting with visitor services activities
- Play a lead role in supporting special events, including setting event planning meetings; managing event signage, admissions, and permitting; ordering supplies; and maintaining financial and attendance information on events to inform future year planning
Administrative & Financial Operations
- Supervise administrative staff team handling admissions payments, gift shop sales, membership sales, event registrations, and general bookkeeping/invoicing
- Ensure integrity and security of transaction processing and cash handling procedures; oversee cash flow, deposits, invoice payments, check requests, personal reimbursements and fund transfers
- Work with Mass Audubon’s Business Office to submit invoices, reconcile payments, track revenue and expense trends, and improve transaction processes
- Assist the Sanctuary Director in preparing the annual operational budget and assisting the Wellfleet Bay leadership team in the analysis and tracking to ensure budget goals are being met throughout the fiscal year
- Coordinate management of permits, contracts, and staff housing agreements
- Maintain and assist staff with office equipment and supplies, provide logistical support for Mass Audubon meetings and gathering, and oversee the rental and scheduling of facilities for meetings by outside parties as well as internal needs as appropriate
- Maintain safety records for staff and visitor accidents and incidents, ensuring reporting to Business Office in appropriate timeframe
Revenue Growth & Membership Development
- Collaborate with Membership Department to enhance membership recruitment and retention strategies including supporting member recruitment specialists for spring and fall recruitment drives
- Collaborate with Marketing team to promote membership campaigns and special events
- Implement initiatives to increase membership conversion rates and repeat visits
- Develop and refine upselling strategies for memberships, programs, and retail products
- Analyze visitor feedback and market trends to enhance membership benefits and engagement
Team Leadership & Training
- Manage and mentor the administrative and visitor services team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and providing ongoing training and professional development in customer service, administrative procedures, and visitor engagement
- Provide support and facilitate strong communication among the broader Wellfleet Bay staff team, as well as to the Education, Conservation, and Marketing staff who support programming at the sanctuary
- Develop clear protocols for handling visitor inquiries, complaints, and conflict resolution
- Foster a collaborative, mission-driven team culture focused on education, hospitality, and conservation
Operations & Facility Coordination
- Ensure nature center and public areas are clean, accessible, and welcoming
- Oversee summer campground rental program
- Work with staff to manage the seasonal staff dormitories on site
- Coordinate with the Property Team to address maintenance and facility needs related to visitor services
- Ensure compliance with safety policies, personal information protection, ADA accessibility, and risk management protocols
- Ensure that policy manual handbooks are up to date
- Provide support for the Sanctuary Director through a variety of administrative duties, which may include paperwork for new hires, routine correspondence, and room bookings
Qualifications
At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:
Must Haves
- Associate’s degree plus four or more years related managerial and operational experience
- Demonstrated expertise with bookkeeping and financial reporting
- Must be highly organized, have excellent communication and customer service skills, and ability to interact with the public
- Must have supervisory experience
- Advanced knowledge in MS Word, Excel, Teams, Adobe, and other software, as required
- Have or be willing to acquire First Aid and CPR certifications and be able to respond effectively to emergencies
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must be willing to work occasional weekends and evenings
Nice to Haves
- Familiarity with or interest in nature, wildlife, environmental education, and conservation
Compensation, Benefits and Perks
This position’s pay range is $67,000-$72,800 per year; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements.
Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).
Work Schedule
Full time schedule of 40 hours, 5-days per week with one weekend day and occasional holiday and evening hours required.
Other Requirements
Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.
Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice
Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.