Monterey Bay Operations Senior Manager

About the role

The Monterey Bay Operations (MBO) Senior Manager provides direction and oversight for The Marine Mammal Center’s central response region and animal care field office in Castroville. This role is part of the Field Operations & Response (FOR) leadership team, shaping strategy for SLO while contributing to planning across FOR and Animal Operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall day-to-day operations of the Monterey Bay Operations (MBO) team in alignment with the objectives and strategic priorities of the Field Operations and Response department.
• Collaborate with management across the California range and other departments to optimize resource deployment, operational readiness, and integration of MBO with broader organizational initiatives.
• Oversee the accurate completion of administrative and programmatic tasks, data entry and management, and operational metrics to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of MBO operations.
• Lead daily animal care and response operations at MBO and directly participate in animal care and response as needed.
• Support staff and volunteers by providing coverage for animal care needs, response support, and other hands-on work according to team scheduling needs, capacity, and seasonal increases in team workload.
• Develop, implement, and manage animal care and response policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with permits, regulatory guidance, and organizational standards in coordination with FOR leadership hospital operations and animal care teams in Sausalito.
• Assess and carry out humane euthanasia and other medical procedures as appropriate.
• Advance Special Response Operations efforts and pinniped entanglement response at MBO.
• Manage medical and husbandry supply inventory to ensure readiness and efficiency.
• Lead MBO team’s communications and collaboration with NOAA and other external partners as appropriate.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local organizations such as enforcement agencies, conservation groups, and the research community to strengthen the Center’s presence in the region.
• Represent MBO as a subject-matter resource for media requests in the Monterey Bay Operations Range and participate in annual media training at headquarters.
• Partner with the Learning & Development team as a subject matter expert to support the creation and updating of training courses.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local colleges and universities and lead professional education programs connected to MBO.
• Organize community events in collaboration with internal teams and external partners, including training sessions, presentations, outreach, and tabling events.
• Plan and manage the annual MBO volunteer appreciation event ensuring alignment with budget guidelines.
• Hire, train, mentor, and manage staff, ensuring individual and team development, alignment with goals, and adherence to policies and protocols.
• Drive and maintain team culture for MBO and across teams, in alignment with organizational culture.
• Provide coaching to strengthen internal communications within the team and across departments, creating a positive, supportive, and team-oriented work environment.
• Meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; perform personnel actions such as approving timesheets and evaluating performance.
• Provide leadership, training, and coaching to volunteers, including identifying and resolving problems, escalating as needed.
• Ensure the development and maintenance of field response and animal care capabilities among staff and volunteers to support rescue teams and other operational needs.
• Ensure volunteer staffing levels accommodate animal care and response activities, including leading recruitment, selection, and onboarding of new volunteers.
• Oversee scheduling of volunteers to ensure adequate coverage for all response activities on various technology platforms.
• Act as primary contact for MBO Volunteer Crew Supervisors, providing overall support and leading meetings as assigned.
• Support the department’s budget development; track results to ensure alignment with key financial targets for expenses and/or revenue in collaboration with management; approve and monitor team expenditures.
• Represent and promote the Center to donors, prospects, and partners as opportunities arise.
• Occasionally support the cultivation of individual donors, grants, family foundations, and corporate sponsors in both written and verbal formats.
• Represent the MBO team on cross-functional initiatives and serve as a subject matter resource for staff and leadership.
• Support and prioritize the Center’s DEI objectives and integrate as opportunities arise.

Qualifications and Experience

• Ability to hold a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit.
• Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability. (Must be 21+ years old as frequently driving company vehicles is required for this position.)
• This position requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in marine biology, business administration, human psychology, or a related field; and 5 years of experience with supervision of staff and marine mammal care, or coordination of logistical support, or another related field or equivalent experience.