Director, Marine Conservation Policy and Leadership

~ The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium was launched in June of 2016 to build upon and amplify the Aquarium's decades-long legacy of solutions-based marine conservation research and engagement. ~

New England Aquarium's enhanced commitment to mission programs and outcomes involves a bold new strategic plan, which includes programmatic realignment and focus and the addition of new capabilities, staff and program leadership.

Position Overview

The Director, Marine Conservation Policy and Leadership will play a key leadership role overseeing two emerging domains in the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at New England Aquarium (Anderson Cabot Center) Ocean Based Conservation Policy and External Affairs and the nascent Marine Conservation Leadership Program (MCLP) which develops, empowers and supports conservation leaders from around the world. These domains integrate and strengthen existing Anderson Cabot Center and New England Aquarium (Aquarium) Education Department programs to transform science into action.

The position will work closely with Aquarium and Anderson Cabot Center leadership, staff and other Aquarium departments to lead, define and implement tactical frameworks, priorities, external relationships, and short-term goals for these areas. He/she will also supervise program managers in these areas, and will report to the Aquarium's Vice President for Programs, Exhibits and Planning with additional programmatic oversight from the Vice President of the Anderson Cabot Center.

Responsibilities

Marine Conservation Policy Program:

• In support of the newly established Anderson Cabot Center/Aquarium policy position statement and strategy, devise proactive ocean conservation policy strategies, partnerships and short-term goals to support targeted strategic outcomes.
• Policy Program Lead the development and implementation of a policy and advocacy program that leverages and amplifies the work of the Anderson Cabot Center and Aquarium. Lead an internal policy strategy task force that works with Anderson Cabot Center/Aquarium leadership to formulate action plans with respect to the institutions' role in major policy initiatives. Serve as the point person for policy initiatives which the Anderson Cabot Center/Aquarium leads or in which its involvement or partnership is sought.
• Networking Lead the building and maintaining of external networking relationships and involvement in select domestic and international policy and advocacy coalitions related to the Anderson Cabot Center/Aquarium's programs. Increase the Anderson Cabot Center/Aquarium's sphere of influence by strengthening relationships with NGO's, policy makers and other ocean conservation stakeholders. Serve as the lead and/or oversee staff to increase Aquarium's role as a collaborative member of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) program.
• Compliance Oversee the Aquarium's lobbying compliance, and serve as relationship lead with existing advocacy/outreach partners.
• Convening Work with Anderson Cabot Center/Aquarium program leads to strategically convene workshops and other forums to help meet strategic goals.
• Fundraising Work closely with Development staff to support philanthropic goals to achieve outcomes.
• Communications Collaborate with Anderson Cabot Center to create a variety of internal and external communication media (e.g., editorials, public comments to proposed legislation, briefings and emails) as needed.

Marine Conservation Leadership Program:

• Oversee the newly formed Marine Conservation Leadership Program, which encompasses four programmatic initiatives focused on preparing, empowering, and convening a global network of conservation leaders.
• Program Strategy Work closely with existing program leads and Vice Presidents of Anderson Cabot Center and Programs, Exhibits and Planning to complete strategic build out of program.
• Conservation Entrepreneurs Align the existing Marine Conservation Action Fund with broader MCLP and Anderson Cabot Center goals.
• Fellows Program Lead and support the formalization of an international Fellows program (presently in a pilot phase), a collaborative between the Anderson Cabot Center and Aquarium Educational programs.
• Future Leaders Collaborate with Aquarium Education staff to provide opportunities for youth to engage with Anderson Cabot Center staff, fellows, and interns. Develop internship programs for students pursuing degrees in marine conservation. Provide Aquarium Education staff with Anderson Cabot Center content and resources to support program development.
• Alignment Harness the collective strengths of MCLP, Education and other Anderson Cabot Center and Aquarium programs to better align with specific Anderson Cabot Center/Aquarium goals. Develop a framework for the skills, knowledge and resources needed to be an ocean conservation leader and align programs with this framework.
• Outreach Work closely with VP of Anderson Cabot Center, Development and Marketing/Communications staff to ensure broader reach for the MCLP program, including the establishment of new partnerships, and a potential advisory committee.
• Evaluation Oversee program evaluation, including measurement of program outputs, outcomes and effectiveness.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced degree in environmental (preferably ocean-related) science or policy.
• 10-15 years of experience managing or leading a mission based conservation program or organization that involves U.S. (and ideally international) ocean conservation goals.
• Outstanding leadership skills with a track record of involvement in major U.S. or international marine policy initiatives and/or coalitions.
• Strong established external networks in the ocean conservation landscape, ideally related to ocean conservation NGOs and private foundations. Proven record of leadership and/or instrumental roles in coalition building.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Involvement (ideal) or familiarity (at a minimum) with Northeast U.S. planning, spatial and/or fisheries management.
• Experience or exposure in state, federal, and/or international environmental policy-making arenas, as well as the non-profit sectors.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Demonstrated leadership in designing strategic tactical frameworks for reaching environmental conservation goals that span a diverse array of both regional and distant programmatic areas.
• Highly motivated with strong organizational and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with other leaders/staff in the Anderson Cabot Center, the Aquarium leadership team, colleagues from other Aquarium departments, members of the Aquarium Board, donors and additional stakeholder groups outside of Aquarium.
• Personally committed to the growth and team building environment of the Anderson Cabot Center and integration with Aquarium.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, and to travel extensively (locally, nationally and internationally).