Director, Arctic & Northern Waters (Fisheries)

The Ocean Conservancy Inc is seeking a Director for Arctic & Northern Waters (Fisheries) to manage and advance fisheries conservation in Alaska and the Arctic. This role involves designing science-based initiatives, collaborating with Indigenous communities, and leading a small team. The position is preferred in Alaska but allows remote work from WA, OR, or CA. The organization focuses on ocean conservation through partnerships and policy advocacy.
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.


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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