Associate Program Director in La Jolla, California at Waitt Foundation - Waitt Institute

Associate Program Director (Vanuatu/Samoa)

Location: La Jolla, CA

Hours: Full-time

Compensation: USD $115,000 - 140,000

The Waitt Institute is a team of international experts working around the globe to protect the world’s oceans and support coastal communities. The Waitt Institute is working with seven national and territorial governments to create sustainable ocean plans that help improve local livelihoods and economies while safeguarding marine life and ecosystems.

We are seeking an Associate Program Director to lead and coordinate country programs across Vanuatu and Samoa. The role supports program strategy, aligns technical workstreams, and ensures effective program delivery in line with institutional priorities. This position reports to the Vice President of Global Operations and involves significant international travel (up to 30%).

As a global team, the Waitt Institute is committed to being diverse, culturally competent, and inclusive, and we recognize that these core values enable our success. We seek to employ talented advocates for the ocean and coastal communities, and we welcome all applicants.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination, and implementation of country programs in alignment with institutional priorities and country strategies.
• Manage annual work plans, budgets, and program tracking systems.
• Keep technical teams, partners, and in-country staff aligned, coordinated, and advancing priorities.
• Identify roadblocks and solutions to maintain momentum and execution.
• Maintain strong working relationships with partners from the government, NGOs, and the private sector.
• Oversee program operations, including forecasting, reporting, and contracting.
• Support the development of local teams and strengthen country capacity and ownership.

Professional Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in program management, public policy, and international development, preferably across the Pacific region.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs involving governments, NGOs, consultants, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong program management skills, including work planning, budgeting, reporting, and coordinating implementation across multiple workstreams.
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with government officials, partners, donors, and stakeholders.
• Experience working in politically and culturally complex environments, with the ability to navigate competing priorities and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Understanding of marine policy frameworks, policy-making processes, and sustainable ocean planning in the small-island state context preferred
• Master’s degree in environmental management, international relations, public policy,

political science, economics, conservation management, sustainable development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Professional Attributes

• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust across teams and partners.
• Ability to engage and advocate effectively with government officials, partners, and stakeholders, including on politically sensitive issues.
• A superb professional and pragmatic personal presence, with creative problem-solving skills and ability to navigate complex environments.
• Experience with program management and tracking tools such as Asana or similar platforms.

Company Benefits

Unlimited Paid Time Off | Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision options | Health Savings Account | 401(k) match up to 6%