Senior Director, Ocean Conservancy in Bellingham, Washington at The Ocean Conservancy Inc
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Job Description
POSITION TITLE: Senior Director, Ocean Conservancy
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Conservation
REPORTS TO: VP, Arctic & Northern Waters
STATUS: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt
LOCATION: Washington State Hybrid
SUPERVISORY SCOPE: One Direct Report, Others TBD
ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY
For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, we continue to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We are a 501(C)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates and supporters through our comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, we are securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone.
POSITION SUMMARY
Ocean Conservancy’s Arctic program works to address the complex challenges facing the maritime Arctic by advancing evidence-based policy solutions in U.S. and international venues.
The Senior Director designs, leads and manages the Central Arctic Ocean (CAO) campaign and provides leadership and strategic direction and implementation for international Arctic campaigns related to biodiversity, fisheries and climate change. The Senior Director plays an essential role as a member of the Arctic leadership team, working closely with the VP, Arctic Conservation Policy and Programs and other Senior Directors to contribute to strategic direction for the Arctic team and broader organizational priorities and strategies. They also lead fundraising efforts for the Central Arctic Ocean and supervise staff for the campaign. Along with Ocean Conservancy’s team of experts, the Senior Director provides, advises, and supports political strategies, message development, campaign management and coalition building.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Leads Ocean Conservancy efforts to protect northern international seas adjacent to Alaska including the 1.1 million square mile Central Arctic Ocean and the 74,000 square mile Central Bering Sea.
- Leads fundraising and designs, builds and executes a new campaign to secure an international agreement that protects the CAO’s ability to moderate global climate extremes while delaying the start of deepsea mining and transpolar shipping.
- Leads efforts to ensure implementation of the 2021 international Arctic fisheries agreement.
- Protects the CAO, incorporates Indigenous knowledge, and includes Arctic Indigenous people in future decision-making.
- Leads efforts to prevent the resumption of fishing in the Central Bering Sea and promotion of ecosystem protection through a new international treaty.
- Directs, sets strategy and manages the multi-organization CAO campaign team working internationally to design and implement the campaign.
- As part of the CAO campaign, leads and manages Ocean Conservancy’s campaign to keep deep sea-mining out of Alaska waters
- Builds Alaska-based and Arctic-wide coalitions focused on fighting deep-sea mining
- Monitors, analyzes, and researches administrative, legislative, judicial and other developments; drafts letters and other materials
- Leads government relations strategy in DC and State of Alaska, opposing deep sea mining in Alaska.
- Works with contractors and OC team, to coordinate media strategy for CAO campaign. Plans, drafts, and reviews Arctic-related messaging for media, grassroots outreach and other targets;
- Secures multiyear grants totaling $10 to $20 million for Arctic campaigns including the CAO. With Ocean Conservancy’s Development team, stewards funding partnerships and cultivates new partnerships. Develops grant budgets and writes grant reports for CAO campaign.
- Develops and tracks budgets, expenses and expenditures for the CAO budget code ($10 million+ budget) and coordinates with senior Arctic leadership to ensure mutual support and seamless integration with other Arctic budget codes.
- Leads efforts to build alliances with international Inuit organizations and leaders for common strategies for Indigenous-led protection of the CAO.
- Maintains, strengthens, and builds relationships for international Arctic success in Alaska, Canada, Norway, Greenland, Russia and other states who become involved in CAO negotiations.
- As warranted by development of the CAO campaign, leads hiring efforts and supervises staff as well as contractors, interns, and others as needed; provides ongoing coaching and development while creating and promoting a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.
- Represents Ocean Conservancy in U.S. delegations negotiating and implementing international Arctic agreements and, in the media, and helps guide media and other outreach related to Arctic and other programmatic work.
- Works closely with the VP of Arctic & Northern Waters and the other Arctic Senior Directors to contribute to strategic direction for the Arctic program.
- Provides support, and strategic thinking for development of new and existing bodies of work for Ocean Conservancy in the Arctic and beyond as called upon by the CEO, Chief Conservation Officer, and Arctic VP
REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of ten (10) years of professional conservation, public policy, or other relevant experience required; experience working in international Arctic conservation, Indigenous-led conservation and demonstrated connections with Tribes and communities in the Arctic required.
- Experience developing and implementing high-impact conservation campaigns particularly in the Arctic.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, as are demonstrated advocacy skills, the ability to mobilize and manage a diverse international partner network, and the ability to communicate complex scientific or technical concepts to policy, Indigenous community and lay audiences (written samples will be requested).
- Proven ability to secure and steward significant philanthropic investment, including multi-year grants and relationships with major conservation funders,
- A strategic thinker who can devise innovative solutions and navigate complex international coalitions, with demonstrated ability to bridge Tribal governments, federal and state agencies, NGOs, commercial stakeholders, and philanthropic partners toward durable conservation outcomes.
- Highly collaborative and experienced manager of projects and people, including multi-disciplinary teams and complex multi-million-dollar program budgets, with a record of delivering results through operational and strategic leadership and a deep commitment to Indigenous sovereignty and justice as foundational principles in conservation
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse teams and a wide range of stakeholders, including Indigenous organizations, Tribal governments, international bodies, federal and state agencies, and NGO partners across the circumpolar North.
- Trusted and respected people leader with experience engaging and motivating individuals and teams to success; demonstrates collaborative problem-solving, coaching skills, patience, and a deeply inclusive leader mindset, including a demonstrated commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in organizational culture and external partnerships.
- A high-level performer with the proven ability to work independently and as part of a leadership team, manage multiple priorities and stakeholder relationships simultaneously, and deliver results in a fast-paced, complex policy environment.
EDUCATION/TRAINING:
- Graduate or Law degree required.
COMPENSATION
Ocean Conservancy is committed to fair pay practices and posts expected salary ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected salary range for this role is $200,000 - $210,000 annually. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected range.
TO APPLY
If you think you’d be a great fit for the job and are interested in joining Ocean Conservancy’s team, please apply here. Please include a resume and cover letter in one file on your application.
HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT
Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and 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.
We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees’ career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive institution.