Director, Climate and Plastics Initiative

Plastics pollution in the ocean is at a crisis level and yet the growth in plastics production is accelerating. Ocean Conservancy has launched a campaign to reduce the production of virgin plastics by focusing on increased transparency and accountability for the impacts of plastics production and use throughout its life cycle. The Director for the Climate and Plastics Initiative will report directly to the Program Director for Climate Policy and will be responsible for refining, implementing, and managing Ocean Conservancy’s new initiative focused on the connection between stemming plastic production and addressing the climate crisis. The ideal candidate will have experience running a public advocacy campaign, engaging with the financial sector and/or financial policy on issues of climate change, plastic waste, and/or sustainability, and a proven track record of managing multiple work streams that contribute to a cohesive strategy, managing cross-disciplinary teams, and reporting on metrics, successes and lessons learned.

The Director of the Climate and Plastics Initiative is responsible for managing the multiple work streams that are part of the climate and plastics strategy, including financial sector, public policy, and communications. The core of the initial strategy for this body of work is focused on leveraging changes within financial institutions so experience in or engaging with the sector is preferred. Because this body of work crosses multiple conservation programs and departments, experience and willingness to be part of a matrix structure and manage cross-disciplinary teams without complete direct supervisory authority is highly preferred. The Director will also play an integral role in fundraising for this initiative.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leading and refining campaign strategy: Assess the campaign strategy and sharpen, goals, objectives and projects as needed.
• Engaging with financial and/or corporate sector: Lead implementation of strategies for engaging with the financial sector to effect change related to how climate impacts are accounted for and climate risk and risks related to plastics production are assessed and disclosed.
• Leading cross-disciplinary team(s): Lead a cross-disciplinary team(s) to deliver on the climate/plastics strategy. Provide clarity around team purpose and deliverables and individuals’ roles and responsibilities.
• Managing multiple work streams: Ensure all work streams that are part of the strategy advance quickly and efficiently; work streams include the financial sector, public policy, and communications.
• Communicating: Serve as an externally-facing spokesperson for the climate and plastic initiative with media, public policy makers, and decision makers. Ensure internal communications related to the strategy are efficient and effective.
• Fundraising: Work with Ocean Conservancy’s Resource Development department to identify potential revenue streams and raise funds for this work. This could include fundraising from foundations, governments, multi-lateral institutions, and individual donors.

EDUCATION/REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, business, public policy or environmental studies is preferred.
• 5- 8 years’ experience in leading or playing a lead role in a successful advocacy campaign or change initiative.
• Experience in engaging with the financial and/or corporate sector on issues of climate change, development finance, sustainability, ESG, and/or plastics production is preferred.
• Thorough understanding of the opportunities within the financial and/or corporate sector to accelerate action on climate change, sustainability, and/or plastics production.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Stellar project management involving multiple work streams.
• Ability to lead a cross-disciplinary team and effectively work across teams, with a supervisor, program leads and others in the organization.
• Ability to work on one’s own with minimal direction while ensuring excellent flow of necessary information across the organization.
• Prior supervisory experience is preferred.

COMPENSATION:

Ocean Conservancy is committed to equity in its pay practices and posts the minimum and midpoint of the range for each of its open positions. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with the skills, years of experience and unique background of the candidate. Salary minimum is $112,200; salary midpoint is $140,300. Salary may be higher as appropriate for the selected candidate, with internal equity being considered.

TO APPLY:

If you think you have what it takes to join Ocean Conservancy’s team, please apply here.

COVID-19 REQUIREMENT:

You will be required to provide proof of full vaccination status, or submit to regular masking and testing, as a condition of employment at Ocean Conservancy’s meetings, gatherings and offices. You may request an accommodation for medical or religious reasons.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

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

OCEAN CONSERVANCY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.