Director, Arctic & Northern Waters (Fisheries)

Ocean Conservancy; Bellingham (WA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Conservancy is seeking a Director for Arctic & Northern Waters (Fisheries) to design, lead and manage a portfolio spanning Alaska and the broader Arctic. You will work closely with Tribes, Indigenous organizations and coalition partners to advance biodiversity-centered fisheries conservation through science-based strategies and Indigenous knowledge integration.

The role requires building high-impact campaigns, coordinating across teams, and guiding policy and fundraising efforts.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience in fisheries science, law, or related field; Alaska/Arctic experience required.
• Experience building and leading high-impact campaigns and coalitions.
• Strong track record integrating Indigenous knowledge with western science.
• Knowledge of regulatory processes affecting fisheries management.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public-facing communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Designs and leads a comprehensive plan for sustainable and equitable fisheries management in the North Pacific and U.S. Arctic oceans.
• Leads Arctic fisheries portfolio, with Indigenous knowledge and science-based initiatives.
• Develops and coordinates messaging with communications team for policy and public engagement.
• Supports fundraising, grant reporting, and program budgeting in collaboration with Development.
• Manages a small team and coordinates with partners and Alaska Native communities.

Skills

Fisheries science

Policy & advocacy

Indigenous knowledge integration

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Travel willingness

Grant writing

Education

Master’s degree in fisheries science or related field

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Director, Arctic & Northern Waters (Fisheries)

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Arctic and Northern Waters

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Arctic and Northern Waters

STATUS: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt

LOCATION: Alaska preferred; remote within WA, OR or CA considered

About Ocean Conservancy

For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, we continue to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We are a 501(C)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates and supporters through our comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, we are securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone.

Position Summary

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.

The Director of Arctic Fisheries designs, leads and manages Ocean Conservancy's Arctic fisheries portfolio, advancing a campaign to protect the biodiversity, abundance and resilience of fisheries and the marine ecosystems that sustain them across Alaska and the broader Arctic. Working with Tribes, tribal entities, and other partners and grounded in the integration of Indigenous knowledge and western science, the Director identifies solutions, produces supportive policy and technical materials, and advances climate-ready and biodiversity-centered fisheries conservation in domestic and international fisheries venues.

The Director manages a small team. Together they work in close coordination with fellow Directors across the Arctic & Northern Waters team, the Senior Director of Fish Conservation, Tribal partners, Alaska Native and Indigenous organizations and coalition partners to ensure that fisheries conservation strategies for Alaska and the Arctic have the greatest impact and are coordinated with our fisheries work in the Central Arctic Ocean and our national fisheries work. The Director also supports Ocean Conservancy's communications and development teams to build popular, political and financial support for the Arctic fisheries portfolio and its conservation objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Working with partners, is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive plan to ensure sustainable and equitable fisheries management in the North Pacific and U.S. Arctic Oceans which centers Indigenous leadership and supports communities over the long term.
• 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. Plans, drafts, and reviews fisheries-related messaging for media and outreach in coordination with Ocean Conservancy's communications team, ensuring Indigenous knowledge and other relevant perspectives are reflected in external communications.
• Monitors, analyzes, and researches administrative, legislative, judicial, and other developments affecting fisheries and marine biodiversity in Alaska and the U.S. Arctic. 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Qualifications/Experience

• 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.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

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.

Compensation

Ocean Conservancy is committed to fair pay practices and posts expected salary ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected salary range for this role is $150,000 - $165,000 annually. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected range.

HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT

Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees’ career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive institution.