Vice President for Science Initiatives (Several possible locations)

Vice President for Science Initiatives

SeaWeb, an international non-governmental organization that utilizes strategic communications and social marketing techniques to advance ocean conservation, seeks a Vice President for Science Initiatives. This is a new and exciting opportunity to advance marine conservation by leading the organization’s science-based communications initiatives. The Vice President will seek to create a high level of public and policy awareness of science-based solutions to the threats facing the ocean. By implementing international outreach efforts around new marine science initiatives, and working closely with scientists to help them frame their results and interact with other scientists, journalists, business leaders and decision-makers, the Vice President will play a key role in advancing the marine conservation goals of the organization.

All inquiries, nominations and applications should be directed in confidence to: Rebecca Marshall, Ceres NGO Consulting at sarrebecca@aol.com.

Background

SeaWeb, founded in 1996 to raise awareness of the growing threats to the ocean and its living resources, is the only nonprofit social marketing organization that harnesses the power of strategic communications on behalf of ocean conservation. By increasing public awareness, advancing science-based solutions and mobilizing decision-makers around ocean conservation, SeaWeb has brought together multiple, diverse and powerful voices for a healthy ocean. Through its award-winning, creative initiatives, SeaWeb is known as a vital and respected force in the conservation community.

SeaWeb’s approach merges science, communications and policy expertise to recruit and sustain ocean conservation champions. SeaWeb then provides a platform for these ocean champions to catalyze and promote innovative solutions in policy, business practice and society. The solutions SeaWeb inspires stem from first-rate synthesis of scientific research and data, and through its use of strategic communications skills, SeaWeb illuminates this valuable information and transforms it into understandable and relevant initiatives. This approach results in both changed behaviors and strong ocean policy.

During the next several years, SeaWeb will continue to build on its track record by seeking new and creative ways to convene, connect and coach diverse and powerful voices for a healthy ocean. With an annual budget of almost $8 million, SeaWeb is generously supported by leading foundations in the U.S. and overseas. Working closely with the President and senior members of staff, the Vice President for Science Initiatives will play a key role in advancing the strategic goals and mission of the organization.

Governed by an independent board of directors, SeaWeb is a 501c3 with offices in the United States, France and the United Kingdom. We also have staff in Canada, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Italy.

Position Description

The successful candidate will use his or her passionate concern for ocean conservation, scientific expertise and exceptional abilities to lead the organization’s science-based programs and initiatives.

The Vice President for Science Initiatives is responsible for working with the President of the organization and the management team, to ensure SeaWeb’s newly developed organizational effectiveness plan is fully implemented, and will work closely with staff across the organization to make sure the conclusions drawn in the plan are used to guide and develop future science communications efforts. All members of the management team are responsible for developing mechanisms to ensure connection and integration across SeaWeb teams and initiatives; monitoring and evaluating successes and achievements; assisting in financial planning and budget oversight; supporting fundraising efforts; and serving as a spokesperson for SeaWeb.

Working with the management team, the Vice President will assess current programs and initiatives, and identify opportunities to design and launch new innovative science strategies. In close conjunction with the Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and other senior staff, s/he will evaluate the effectiveness of science-based work.

A key component of the role will be to research and synthesize current and emerging science. The Vice President for Science Initiatives will ensure SeaWeb stays abreast of new scientific developments to enable the organization to identify ‘tipping point’ science to lead international and national science outreach efforts. SeaWeb will seek to identify new areas that are ripe for scientific inquiry and seek ways to connect scientists with resources to undertake this kind of work. This involves working closely with leading marine scientists, journalists, business leaders and decision-makers or key partners to bring new scientific developments to light in a way that can influence marine policy, corporate or public behavior. In particular, developing close relationships with journalists, connecting them directly to leading scientists and strategically positioning new science information to advance public, policy and media awareness.

The Vice President will lead and oversee efforts to help scientists frame and communicate the results of their work so it gets maximum attention and that they understand the policy implications of their research. S/he will also ensure that SeaWeb is adding value to their work by helping them connect with other scientists doing synergistic work, science journalists, business leaders and decision-makers. These activities could result in the publication of new reports or scientific papers or be used to bolster support for an initiative within the conservation community.

The ideal candidate will excel at cultivating strong relationships and networks with journalists, scientists, NGO and business partners and policymakers. S/he will enjoy working with a multidisciplinary team and will bring scientific authority and expertise and an ability to establish trust and credibility with leading scientists and key stakeholders for SeaWeb. Internally, the Vice President will provide leadership across the organization to assure the infusion of the best science into SeaWeb’s programs and initiatives and help them effectively communicate that science in order to advance their objectives.

The Vice President for Science Initiatives reports to the President of SeaWeb, and is a member of the management team of the organization. The Vice President is responsible for managing all staff that work in the Science Initiatives pod and other staff as needed.

Key Objectives

• Provide management and oversight of staff and teams in the Science pod and others as needed, establish work plans and activity milestones conduct performance evaluations and use evaluation mechanisms to monitor achievements.

• Assist in financial and operations management, including responsibility for managing budget of the Science pod.

• Support fundraising activities, including cultivation of funder relationships, proposal development and submission, and meeting reporting requirements.

• Review and evaluate the organization’s programmatic initiatives to identify new strategic opportunities for science-based outreach internationally, regionally and nationally, and find ways to build on SeaWeb’s capacity to be a resource for sound science on a wide range of marine conservation issues.

• Develop a clear strategic plan for international and national science outreach efforts, laying out specific priorities and objectives. Implement the plan in close conjunction with program and senior staff, and meet goals.

• Oversee work of science staff in researching and tracking new and emerging marine conservation science on a full range of issues related to ocean health.

• Synthesize current and emerging science, identify “tipping points” for conservation, develop and implement strategies to effectively communicate marine conservation science to policymakers, business leaders and other key stakeholders to help influence behavior change and to support strong ocean policies.

• Work closely with the President and management team to develop clear and effective messaging for the scientific underpinning of all SeaWeb initiatives, and more broadly, frame clear and compelling messages for media and other audiences that cut through complexity to convey science-based solutions for a healthy ocean.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with leading scientists to stay abreast of their work. Connect scientists who are doing synergistic work and position critical science to advance public awareness.

• In consultation with the Vice President for Media and Policy Strategy, cultivate strong relationships with leading journalists. Act as a science resource for journalists and connect them with leading scientists.

• Connect scientists with journalists and help create story ideas and angles to seed in-depth feature stories and other media coverage on ocean issues. Coordinate with SeaWeb staff to incorporate other key stakeholders and spokespeople into such media coverage.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and seek networking opportunities with business, NGOs and policymakers (in tandem with the President, management team and senior staff) to serve as a resource and provide advice and assistance in order to advance public awareness.

• Assist scientists with packaging of research results to share with journalists to help seed stories for major features. Oversee coordination with SeaWeb staff to incorporate other key stakeholders and angles.

• Oversee the coaching and delivery of training workshops for scientists to train them on how to most effectively present their work to key audiences.

• Provide leadership and expertise to SeaWeb staff and training. Also provide support in how to use scientific research and findings to strengthen the organization’s programmatic initiatives and objectives.

• Work with the President to strategically position the organization to ensure that its work is rooted in the strongest science and continues to be innovative and crosscutting.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will have impeccable scientific credentials, authority and expertise and a passion for ocean conservation. S/he must be a strategic, flexible and results-oriented individual with exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated strengths in communicating with an extensive range of constituents such as scientists, journalists, business leaders, academia and policymakers. Along with demonstrable experience in communications and outreach, s/he will have a track record of understanding the significance of complex scientific research and in elucidating and illuminating the findings to advance marine conservation. Specifically, an ideal candidate will bring the following professional experience and personal characteristics to the position:

Professional Experience

• A PhD in marine sciences with strong scientific credentials, having published scientific papers and reports in leading peer-reviewed journals, is required.

• A minimum of ten years experience in a science-focused setting that provided for interfacing with academic institutions and representatives of NGOs, government or industry. Significant experience in synthesizing science in multi-stakeholder initiatives and comfort in working collaboratively with the scientific, regulatory, business and nonprofit sectors.

• Prior knowledge and experience of working in the marine conservation field in an NGO setting is desirable, although relevant transferable experience will be considered.

• A minimum of five years experience in science communications; knowledge of the journalism world; and an extensive network of relationships with media professionals, ideally with international media as well as those based in the U.S.

• Competence in the multi-disciplinary approaches to marine conservation science, the ability to understand, evaluate, synthesize and communicate emerging marine conservation science and its implications to non-scientific audiences.

• Sound understanding of international policies and laws related to marine conservation and natural resource management is required, plus knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes.

• Excellent strategic abilities, with the capacity to articulate organizational needs and translate them into effective outreach efforts, and positioning skills to advance awareness. Politically savvy.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to work with sophisticated and diverse interest groups in a diplomatic way. A proven ability to network at senior levels in the policy, academic, scientific and media arenas.

• Strong management skills, with a proven ability to analyze complex programs and then lead, develop and execute a range of diverse strategies to further the organization’s goals, working closely with senior program staff.

• Persuasive writing and editing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex issues into clearly articulated goals and arguments to advance marine conservation.

• Compelling public speaker with an ability to persuasively engage individuals or groups in dialogue that results in a desire to change behaviors.

• Experience as a motivational leader and team builder with a strong desire to mentor, train and supervise geographically dispersed staff across multiple time zones.

• Financial and operations management experience.

• Experience of fundraising and commitment to supporting SeaWeb’s development activities.

Personal Characteristics

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, a dynamic personality and the ability to engage a broad array of individuals at all levels.

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team, to work across a range of programs, and to provide guidance and leadership to colleagues, with the ability to inspire trust and motivate others.

• A highly organized individual with experience in effectively juggling multiple tasks.

• An ability to remain composed, positive and self-assured when under pressure.

• Creativity, energy, tenacity, good humor and a high level of energy combined with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

• A willingness to travel.

• An interest in, and commitment to, marine conservation and the goals of SeaWeb.

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, in addition to a generous benefits package. The position will be based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area; northern California; Paris, France or London, England.

How to Apply

Please send resumes and cover letters in confidence to Rebecca Marshall, Ceres NGO Consulting at sarrebecca@aol.com. For more information, see www.seaweb.org. No phone calls please.

Applications are strongly encouraged from candidates reflecting diverse educational, cultural and experiential backgrounds. We encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, people of diverse ethnic, racial, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, educational and work experiences, geographic and national origins, sexual orientations and ages.