Executive Vice President, Conservation

~ Our vision is a world in which oceans are healthy and flourishing. ~

Our mission is to inspire the global community to become Ocean Wise by increasing its understanding, wonder and appreciation for our oceans.

Role Overview

The Executive Vice President, Conservation directs attention to important conservation activities initiated by Ocean Wise Conservation Association. Specifically, they Lead and influence field research, policies, and partnerships in support of conservation priorities. The Executive Vice President, Conservation will serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

The Executive Vice President, Conservation possesses sophisticated leadership, fundraising, and strategic capabilities. This person brings genuine excitement and commitment to the Mission of Ocean Wise (OW). The Executive Vice President promotes conservation and leads activities within the larger scientific community, with donors, within governmental agencies and other non-governmental organizations through collaborative partnerships, speaking engagements, media interviews, writing, and general communications.

Key Accountabilities

Develops Ocean Wise Conservation strategy and lead its execution:

• The development and implementation of a science based Conservation Program strategy with a balanced conservation portfolio adding to the value proposition of Ocean Wise with field projects, research programs, policy driven projects,conservation partnerships and programs that mobilize citizens and consumers,  to achieve conservation impact at scale.
• Establishes program priorities and high-level strategies to position Ocean Wise as a global conservation organization to maximize impact.
• The development of a Policy strategy that positions OW as a world-class expert advisor to decision makers in government and the private sector on issues critical for our oceans.
• Keeps abreast of international best practices in conservation and climate change relevant for Ocean Wise.
• Identifies emerging conservation needs and establishes new programs and initiatives in response.
• Actively develops new stakeholder partnerships and identifies opportunities to enhance conservation impact through partnerships, in close collaboration with other senior leaders.
• Identifies areas of collaboration with NGOs and local communities.
• Actively works with Development team to identify opportunities for fundraising and raises funds directly for conservation programs.
• Collaborates closely with fundraising and communications teams to ensure the conservation project portfolio can be easily communicated externally and has a strong value proposition for funders.

Reinforces the Ocean Wise organizational strategy and provides direction on experience, plans, and objectives related to conservation:

• Provides effective leadership and executive level management cross functionally in the organization.
• Represents Ocean Wise broadly, engaging with and building relationships with donors (including individuals, government agencies, philanthropic foundations, development agencies, and scientific communities).
• Provide leadership and support to Vice Presidents and Senior Scientists by providing guidance and expertise to shape conservation strategies and establish programs and approaches to achieve this.
• Aligns financial and management support to program priorities; provides substantive conservation expertise to guide the development of strategic initiatives and program implementation.
• Leads the effort to maintain and increase financial support for programs, in collaboration with the Development Team.
• Proactively identifies internal or external conditions that may impact organization results and suggesting any recommended changes in organization priority, tactics, policies, etc, ensuring any agreed upon changes in strategy are implemented and communicated to all team members in a timely manner to achieve organization objectives.
• Connecting with others to ensure collaboration across the organization by identifying and recommending possible changes in policies and/or operating procedures while assessing risk, profitability, and ROI associated with changes.
• Monitoring and controlling expenditures to ensure that Ocean Wise standards are met while continuing to maintain budgets.
• Tracking budget and maintaining financial records throughout the year.

Consciously improves the overall organization and its processes by:

• Continually improving our impact on the environment and greening of operations through support of EMS protocols.
• Maintaining and supporting organizational safety standards.
• Abiding by all organizational policies and procedures.
• Performing other duties of a similar nature or level.
• Engaging staff at all levels of the organization.

Provides management, coaching and mentoring to Direct Reports and contributes to and fosters the development of the team by:

• Creating an environment conducive to individual development, productivity, and achievement while ensuring open lines of communication.
• Ensuring that employees are well organized, sufficiently trained/cross-trained to perform their responsibilities, developed to their potential and deployed in a manner that permits a cost-effective operation.
• Planning and facilitating individual touch bases, group touch bases, and skill-building sessions where appropriate.
• Obtaining continuous feedback from Department team members on barriers to achieving conservation based activities, productivity, operational efficiency, and/or service levels.
• Providing direction, guidance and support to team members and motivating staff to achieve a high level of performance and productivity.
• Establishing performance objectives/goals, reviewing progress throughout the year,  and completing formal performance reviews for direct reports as required.
• Recognizing and rewarding success, and managing poor performance.
• Developing and obtaining agreement on development plans for all direct reports, recommending training courses and seminars where appropriate.
• Recruiting, hiring and promoting team members in accordance with standard Ocean Wise policies.
• Creating an environment conducive for full employee engagement.
• Describing, clarifying and providing direction on key organizational strategies to Direct Reports as they formulate goals and tactical strategies.
• Encouraging Direct Reports to continually assess operational and/or efficiency opportunities, and provide recommendations for improvement aligned with organization and animal operations strategies.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• 10+ years of Leading International conservation programs that required the capacity to lead, inspire and mobilize people - particularly conservation leaders, staff, donors, and other key stakeholders.
• PHD in relevant subject required.
• Proven track record of successfully building high performing teams.
• Demonstrated success in managing multi-cultural teams with a high level of cultural sensitivity and awareness with ability to work in a multi-cultural setting.
• Proven record of accomplishment in successfully developing, leading, and managing projects in the field of conservation, natural resource management or other related fields.
• Proven experience in growing and managing budgets.
• English is the working language at Ocean Wise, but a working knowledge of other international and indigenous languages is a distinct advantage.

Competencies:

• Personal creativity and strategic vision coupled with an ability to listen to others and learn from their best ideas – a sense of inquisitiveness and intellectual curiosity.
• Ability to inspire trust, lead and facilitate with strong interpersonal skills and move from ideas to action.
• A superb professional and personal presence.
• A technical expert in conservation.
• Ability to think strategically, tactically and creatively.
• Results-oriented, but flexible; that respects the capabilities and independence of Executive team members and provides them with a clear sense of direction.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to travel.
• Excellent leadership and management skills and abilities.
• Active demonstration of the company’s values and code of conduct.
• Excellent project management and time management skills, with the ability to keep on task with strategic items while managing day-to-day responsibilities.

Working Conditions: 

• Primarily in office environment, including some shared work space, as necessary.
• Will involve some longer days/hours to ensure timelines are met.
• Some International travel required.

Benefits

• Salary range of $130,000.00 - $250,000.00
• Potential for 10% annual bonus based on achievement of personal and organizational goals
• Extended Health and Dental benefits
• RRSP matching program
• MSP Benefits program
• Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance

To Apply

• Please click "Apply on Company Website" below.
• This is a full-time, permanent role is based out of the Vancouver Aquarium at 845 Avison Way, Vancouver BC.
• Please contact careers@ocean.org with additional questions regarding the role.