Vice President for Ocean Conservation

Conservation Law Foundation; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) seeks a Vice President for Ocean Conservation to lead a high-impact program protecting New England’s oceans, biodiversity, and coastal communities. You will guide policy, science, and litigation efforts to restore fisheries, protect right whales, and establish marine protected areas.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Law & Policy, the role requires a seasoned leader with at least 10 years in ocean law, a law degree, and a track record of fundraising,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in ocean law and policy, with strong litigation experience preferred.
• Law degree and active bar membership in good standing in New England or eligibility for reciprocity.
• Experience applying ocean conservation statutes (e.g., Magnuson-Stevens Act, ESA, MMPA, Antiquities Act).
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex policy initiatives.
• Strong fundraising, financial management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion across campaigns and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement the vision and strategy for CLF’s Ocean conservation work.
• Engage in inclusive management of a 10+ member team and partners.
• Develop partnerships with communities and stakeholders most affected by issues.
• Collaborate with development to secure funding and prepare budgets/reports.
• Oversee annual program budgets and cross-team coordination.
• Represent CLF before partners, public officials, and funders.

Skills

Ocean law

Policy advocacy

Litigation

Strategic leadership

Fundraising

Stakeholder engagement

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Education

Law degree

Bar admission (New England)

Job description

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is seeking a Vice President for Ocean Conservation to join our team working for a healthy and thriving New England for all. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead a high-impact program working to restore and protect New England’s ocean and the biodiversity it supports. This includes work to advance sustainable fisheries; protect and rebuild the North Atlantic right whale population; protect New England’s special ocean places by establishing new and effectively managing existing protected areas in the ocean; advance responsibly developed offshore wind; and defend and support bedrock environmental statutes and institutions governing U.S. ocean resource management. This is a rare opportunity for a collaborative, mission-driven leader to bring intellectual rigor, strategic judgment and vision, and public-interest commitment to work that will shape the future of marine conservation in New England and the United States.

For nearly five decades, CLF’s Ocean Conservation team has paired sophisticated legal and policy advocacy with up-to-date science and trusted regional partnerships to achieve lasting protection for New England’s ocean. Staff in the Ocean Conservation program bring deep expertise in law, policy, marine science, and public campaigns. Our record includes helping prevent oil and gas development off New England, advancing landmark fisheries protections, establishing the only marine national monument in the Atlantic, developing and implementing the first state and regional comprehensive ocean management plans in the nation, and advancing meaningful right whale protections. The next Vice President will inherit this distinguished legacy and lead the program into its next chapter—building durable solutions at the intersection of ocean health, climate resilience, and biodiversity. For the right leader, this role offers the platform, mandate, and urgency to deliver consequential impact for the ocean, the communities that depend on it, and generations to come.

This is an exciting opportunity to set programmatic directions and priorities consistent with the organization’s Strategic Plan and CLF’s ocean conservation goals. Through your top-level management skills, you will guide your 10+ member team toward a variety of solutions across New England and nationally. Your role will also ensure that team members are focused on the most strategic use of law, policy, science, and markets to maximize CLF’s impact.

This position reports to the Senior Vice President for Law & Policy, with a preferred base at CLF’s Boston office and flexibility for some remote work within New England.

What you’ll do:

·Lead and implement the vision and strategy for CLF’s Ocean conservation work, ensuring it remains aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities;

• Engage in effective and inclusive management practices that support team members and ensure a healthy and inclusive workplace culture;
• Work closely with other senior leaders to build partnerships with people and communities most impacted by the issues we work on and where CLF policy, programmatic and legal actions will have the greatest impact;
• Work with CLF’s development team to identify and cultivate philanthropic and individual support and prepare grant proposals, project budgets and reports;
• Work with CLF’s Finance team to develop and manage an annual program budget of approximately $1.8 million;
• Work with CLF’s communications team and consultants on campaign plans, messaging, and collateral materials targeted to a variety of audiences including CLF members, funders, partners, and other practitioners in the field; and
• Represent CLF before partner communities, public officials, supporters, and other audiences.

What you’ll need:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in ocean law and policy. Substantial litigation experience is strongly preferred;
• A law degree and active bar membership in good standing in any New England state or the ability to receive reciprocity for a New England state;
• Experience in applying core ocean conservation and management statutes including the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Antiquities Act is desirable;
• Substantial experience in managing people and projects;
• Demonstrated success in navigating complex policy and programmatic initiatives;
• Experience starting and building new initiatives, teams, or large-scale endeavors;
• A collaborative leadership style, with proven ability to lead, manage, and support interdisciplinary teams;
• Strong skills in networking, fundraising, financial management, and communications;
• Familiarity with multi-faceted advocacy campaigns including policy, legislation, and litigation;
• Strong understanding of the role of science and public and stakeholder engagement in building successful advocacy campaigns; and
• Demonstrated commitment to addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. Our hiring process is centered on assessing candidates with various lived experiences. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or have a less traditional background.

About CLF

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. A non-profit, member-supported organization, CLF uses the law, science, and the market to solve the region’s most challenging environmental problems from climate change to ocean conservation to transportation. Every day, CLF advocates stand up for New Englanders—in state houses, court houses and board rooms, regulatory hearings, and community gatherings—to forge innovative paths to environmental progress and economic prosperity for all in our region. To that end, CLF works with communities of color, and those that are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, which often suffer disproportionately the impacts of environmental degradation.

CLF is committed to diversity among our staff, volunteers, boards, and membership and creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture where all can thrive.

Compensation

CLF offers a competitive salary, an extensive benefits plan , and an open, inclusive, and accepting work environment where differences are highly respected.The starting salary range for this position if based in Boston is $150,000 - $180,000 and if based outside of Boston is $136,000 - $160,000; actual salary will reflect experience and qualifications.

We recognize the value of work-life balance and also strive to create opportunities for growth for all employees through professional development.