Director, Arctic & Northern Waters (Fisheries)
About the role
Ocean Conservancy's Arctic and Northern Waters program works to address the complex challenges facing the maritime Arctic by advancing science-based solutions in U.S. and international venues. Healthy, abundant and biodiverse oceans also ensure the peoples, cultures and ecosystems of Alaska and the Arctic are thriving. Arctic Fisheries are central to that work.
Responsibilities
Designs, leads, and manages Ocean Conservancy's Arctic fisheries portfolio, formulating high-impact, science and Indigenous knowledge-based initiatives, that protect the biodiversity, abundance, and resilience of Alaska and Arctic fisheries and the ecosystems on which they depend.
Designs and leads a comprehensive communications plan to engage and educate decision makers, partners, and the public to build support for fisheries conservation.
Maintains relationships and communicates with decision-makers on a regular basis. Advocates policy and legal positions in the regulatory process and administrative venues, working to ensure sustainable fisheries management based on Indigenous knowledge and science.
Coordinates with coalition partners, including NGOs, Alaska Native Tribes and Indigenous organizations, and local governments, to strengthen and maximize the impact of fisheries conservation strategies, ensuring Indigenous knowledge and other relevant perspectives inform decision-making at every level; develops and nurtures relationships and opportunities for collaboration with Arctic Indigenous peoples and organizations.
Engages closely with fellow Directors across the Arctic and Northern Waters team and the Senior Director Fish Conservation, staying coordinated on cross-initiative work and contributing as a collaborative team member to advance shared program goals.
Manages and supports a small team, developing agendas, leading team meetings and the annual work planning process for the fisheries portfolio, and providing management support to direct reports.
With Ocean Conservancy's Development team, helps steward funding partnerships, contributes to fundraising materials and grant proposals, writes and submits grant reports, and helps develop and track the Arctic fisheries program budget.
Requirements
At least seven years of professional experience in fisheries science or law, marine biodiversity, ecosystem-based management, conservation, public policy, research or a related field; experience working on Alaska or Arctic fisheries and connections with Arctic and Alaska stakeholders required.
Demonstrated experience building and leading high-impact campaigns, coalitions and partnerships that achieve conservation goals, including the ability to motivate a small team and coordinate across a larger, multi-disciplinary organization.
Demonstrated experience and genuine commitment to integrating Indigenous knowledge alongside western science, with a track record of building respectful, trust-based relationships with Alaska Native Tribes, Indigenous organizations and Arctic Indigenous communities.
Working knowledge of the administrative, legislative, judicial and regulatory processes affecting fisheries management, with experience engaging in regulatory venues, public comment processes, or formal advocacy before boards, commissions or councils.
Strong communication and advocacy skills across written, verbal and public-facing formats, with the ability to translate complex scientific or technical concepts for policy and lay audiences and to partner with a communications team on public messaging (written samples will be requested).
A strategic, detail-oriented thinker who balances a larger vision with attentiveness to deadlines and deliverables.
Ability and willingness to travel regularly, including to remote Alaska and Arctic communities and to domestic and international fisheries meetings and conferences.
Sound financial and program management skills, including experience with funding proposals, donor stewardship, grant reporting and program budgets.
Experience with Alaska's ocean management bodies working on fisheries and marine biodiversity preferred.
Qualifications
Master’s degree in fisheries science, marine biology, ecology, natural resource management, law or a related field; similar lived experience, or combination of degree and experience.
Skills
Strategic thinking
Collaboration and partnership building
Public speaking and advocacy
Financial management
Indigenous knowledge integration
Benefits
Not specified
Pay
$150,000 - $165,000 annually
Schedule
Hybrid work environment