Director of Operations, Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI)

About the role

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by July 6, 2026. Applications received after July 6, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

Job Description Summary

Oversee daily operations of the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI). Chair the OECI Council of Fellows and assist with developing and executing the vision of the Principal Investigators. Coordinate the development of operational plans and timelines that are supported by the OECI affiliates. Be responsible for the development and implementation of plans and timelines for both external and internal OECI initiatives. Supervise the URI OECI staff, provide work priorities, and lead all personnel actions. Duties and Responsibilities Key Duties And Responsibilities Oversee daily operations of the OECI. Assist the Director and Principal Investigators (PI) with requirements to achieve their respective and shared visions. Work with the Director to ensure vision integration for the OECI. Chair the Council of Fellows to communicate the respective PI’s vision and establish executable plans and timelines for each annual research plan. Enforce plans and timelines internally and with affiliated institutions. Liaise with sponsor organizations and staff to enable co-development of project concepts and plans. Develop and coordinate work priorities for the OECI staff. Lead personnel actions as required. Temporarily fill the Director role as needed. Other Duties And Responsibilities Perform additional duties as required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Minimum ten years of maritime focused work experience in positions of increasing responsibilities.
• Demonstrated leadership in complex organizations.
• Demonstrated experience with project and personnel management.
• Demonstrated experience in budget preparation and execution.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate and provide support in a complex administrative organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated collaboration and team building skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in ocean science or related field with ten years of maritime-focused work experience, or PhD in ocean science or related field with seven years of maritime-focused work experience.
• Demonstrated experience working at or with NOAA.
• Demonstrated proposal writing and award management experience.
• Demonstrated experience operating or managing Uncrewed Systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading seagoing projects.
• Willingness to spend up to a month at a time at sea or ship-based work.