VP of Conservation Programs & Partnerships - Seattle Aquarium at Another Source in Seattle, Washington

Job Description:

Another Source’s client, Seattle Aquarium, is recruiting a Vice President of Conservation Programs and Partnerships to join their team in Seattle, WA. This role is a hybrid position.     

Here’s a little about Seattle Aquarium and the position they are recruiting for:   

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for a Vice President of Conservation Programs and Partnerships to join the Conservation Programs and Partnerships team.  Our conservation policy and advocacy, research, and species recovery programs are critical to deliver on our mission: Inspiring conservation of our marine environment. The conservation programs and partnerships team are passionate, strategic, and motivated by our shared vision for a regenerative and equitable future for all life on this planet. They are equal part knowledge-holders and knowledge-seekers, working in collaboration with local, national, and international partners to advance our conservation priorities—climate resilience, sustainable seas, and clean waters. 

All positions at the Aquarium support our SALISH Values (Sustainable, Awe-Inspiring, Learning and Improving, Inclusive Community, Scientific Integrity, Honoring Place). As a part of our values, the Aquarium is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. We adopted a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategic plan and Regenerative Plan. We envision a future in which ocean and coastal communities survive and thrive, where we can meet the needs of the present while building more resilient and equitable systems for the future.    

Learn more about the Seattle Aquarium: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/who-we-are  

About the role:  

The Seattle Aquarium is looking for a Vice President (VP) of Conservation Programs and Partnerships to lead this team, co-create the vision for growth of these programs, and create the enabling conditions for the team to thrive. The VP of Conservation Programs and Partnerships also identifies opportunities for new internal and external collaborations, pursues fundraising opportunities to support innovative programs and partners, and represents the organization on various internal and external committees. The position reports to the Chief Conservation Officer and has three direct reports (i.e., Senior Manager of Ocean Policy, Senior Manager of Conservation Research, and Species Recovery Program Manager), with an overall team of 11 staff.   

We are seeking a strong and compassionate leader who understands the challenges and opportunities in ocean conservation, and someone who is passionate about building a more equitable, regenerative, and resilient future for all. The portfolio of projects led by the Conservation Programs and Partnerships team spans diverse initiatives from decades-long sea otter conservation research to influencing policy that can reduce plastic pollution to recovering endangered pinto abalone in Washington. These diverse programs are enabled, catalyzed, and enriched by our identity as an aquarium, and equity, access and justice are foundational and interwoven throughout. Launched in 2018, the Conservation Programs and Partnerships team is in an active state of growth, awaiting their next leader who can continue to expand our influence and impact into the future.  

The anticipated yearly salary range for this position is: $140,000 - $160,000 

What you will be doing:  

Team management and collaboration:   

• Leading and supporting the Conservation Programs and Partnerships (CPP) team, ensuring a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment.   
• Fostering professional growth of team members through coaching and mentoring, providing feedback, training and professional development, accountability, team culture, and opportunities for internal advancement.   

• Actively and effectively supporting internal collaboration to advance ex situ and in situ conservation activities across the suite of initiatives led and/or co-led by the Conservation Programs and Partnerships team.  
• Establishing the strategic vision for team and program development, growth, and evaluation, working in collaboration across the department.   
• Providing leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization. Acting as a change agent and ensure open, bi-directional communication between the department’s staff and the organizational leadership.   

Conservation program leadership, cultivation, and partnerships:

• Seeking and pursuing opportunities to expand our role as a global conservation leader and increase our capacity for in situ and ex situ conservation programs.   
• Co-creating and implementing conservation initiatives that integrate across disciplines (internally and externally), engage diverse voices and perspectives, and maximize conservation impact in support of our mission and conservation priorities.  
• Embracing a collaborative approach in all initiatives, inclusive of partners across cultures and sectors (e.g., aquariums and zoos, government entities, NGOs, tourism operators, academic institutions), with a particular focus on Indigenous and local communities and emerging leaders.  
• Providing support and guidance to the CPP team on program advancement, including effectively resourcing program expansion.   
• Serving as a spokesperson (e.g., press, media, conferences, events, hearings), championing the Aquarium’s work with partners and sharing lessons and successes.  

Strategic thinking, planning & development :  

• Serving as an active and collaborative member of the executive team to establish the short- and long-term strategic plan for the Aquarium and to model cross-functional integration and collaborative ways of working.   
• Elevating and aligning CPP team goals toward our objective of becoming a regenerative aquarium and global conservation leader, considering impacts and opportunities for interdepartmental collaboration while ensuring the optimal use of resources.   
• Seeking, identifying and pursuing funding opportunities to support the expansion and building of innovative programs, often in collaboration with the Philanthropy team and other departments.  
• Preparing and managing departmental budgets, aligning three team budgets within the scope of the departmental budget, ensuring effective and responsible fiscal practices.   
• Proactively adapting to meeting changing business requirements and emerging opportunities, facilitating the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.   
• Co-developing and implementing field conservation, research, and species recovery programs in close collaboration with the Department of Animal Care, Department of Conservation Engagement and Learning, and Dive Program.   
• Leading, advancing, and integrating diversity, equity, access, inclusion, justice, and regenerative practices throughout team management, conservation initiatives, and organization-level decision-making.  

Minimum Qualifications:  

• At least 10 years of cumulative experience, demonstrating continued growth and leadership in a Tribal enterprise, environmental nonprofit, government agency, aquarium, zoo, or similar organization.   
• Minimum of ten years of growing responsibility in leadership and management at an environmental nonprofit, government agency, aquarium, zoo and/or similar organization.  
• Clear, communicative leadership and management skills, with demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring staff at multiple levels, team development, career progression, and with leading interdisciplinary teams.   
• Extensive knowledge of and practical experience with ocean conservation, including the challenges, opportunities, and emerging changes in the field. Familiar with state-level, U.S., and global conservation policy.   
• Working knowledge of marine ecology and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Familiarity with marine conservation issues in the Salish Sea or Coral Triangle region. Preferably working knowledge of freshwater ecology.   
• Understanding of the importance and complexities of Tribal treaty rights, Tribal sovereignty, and how Black, Indigenous, and global majority groups have approached conservation.   
• Experience building multi-faceted, multicultural, interdisciplinary, and effective conservation initiatives across a complex organization in collaboration with a diverse array of local and international partners that meet the needs of communities.  
• Skilled fundraiser across both public and private pathways, including government grants, conservation foundations and individual donors. Solid knowledge of local, national, and international funding landscape with experience cultivating relationships, developing proposals and reporting.  
• Deep understanding of resource management in terms of time, effort, budget and funding, and evidence of strategic decision making in allocation and tracking of resources. Solutions-oriented approach in addressing opportunities that achieve near- and long-term goals of the department.   
• Excellent verbal, writing and editing skills, including experience with public speaking, and acting as an institutional spokesperson with the press and media. Preference for multilingual speakers with comfort and practice communicating across cultural and language barriers.    
• Strong ability to build and maintain positive, respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, including international experience. Ability to build bridges, use diplomacy, and approach others from an empathetic and curious perspective.   

What’s in it for you: 

Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, an employer-funded health reimbursement account, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b retirement fund with employer match, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off. 

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination:  

The Seattle Aquarium is committed to expanding a diverse, equitable, and inclusive conservation movement. We are invested in building an Aquarium with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, languages, cultural ways of knowing, and life experiences. We know research shows that society has conditioned communities of color, trans and gender non-conforming people, immigrants, people with disabilities, and other marginalized candidates to more frequently not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed even if they are qualified. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you. 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.