Senior Program Director, Marine Ecosystem Repair

WHO WE ARE

Ocean Visions is a science-based, not-for-profit conservation organization. We work with and across diverse sectors and disciplines to identify, co-design, evaluate, and support implementation of ocean-based solutions to counter and reverse climate impacts. We provide diverse forms of support for the development, testing, and application of solutions, and for creation of the enabling social and political frameworks needed for their success. Our work is grounded in robust science, and we continually seek to improve our understanding of the complexity of the challenges posed by climate change.

Ocean Visions works on an interdependent four-part strategy to directly address the causes and impacts of climate disruption, from an ocean lens:

• REDUCE: Identify and advance high-leverage ocean-based opportunities for a just transition to a low carbon economy
• REMOVE: Identify and advance ocean-based pathways for cleaning up legacy carbon pollution from the air and ocean
• REPAIR: Identify and advance interventions to avoid catastrophic loss of critical marine ecosystems and passing of dangerous tipping points
• REACH: Support the growth of a global community to develop and advance innovative ocean-climate solutions

WHAT IS “REPAIR”?

Anthropogenic climate disruption has caused serious damage to critical components of the earth system, many of which are in the ocean and cryosphere. A growing body of science increasingly indicates that some of these marine ecosystems and cryosphere elements are fast approaching dangerous tipping points. Passing these tipping points could lead to irreversible changes in critical ecosystems and trigger additional climate feedback loops that further destabilize the climate.

The risks of these events coming to pass are too high to not consider all ways to reduce those risks. The only durable way to slow, and ultimately reverse, these climate change-driven threats is by reducing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, through decarbonization (i.e., reductions of greenhouse gas emissions) and carbon dioxide pollution cleanup. Both of these are areas of focus for Ocean Visions.

However, we need more. The science and data indicate that, given the current and projected levels of human-caused greenhouse gas pollution, even combined rapid decarbonization and carbon dioxide removal have little chance of cooling the planet in time to prevent dramatic and sustained ecosystem shifts that would perpetuate further climate disruption and destabilization.

Given these risks, Ocean Visions believes it is necessary to investigate all possible approaches to help forestall dangerous losses and transformations through repair of critical ecosystems. To date, our work in Repair has focused on the Arctic and Arctic sea ice in particular. The Arctic is integral to the global climate system, and changes in the Arctic have far-reaching impacts globally. As sea ice is lost, the Arctic Ocean absorbs more heat energy, contributing to the rise in Arctic temperatures four times the global average, as well as further ice loss. These changes have already had profound impacts on the region, its ecosystems and people, the broader ocean, and the global climate system, with direct impacts to the Greenland Ice Sheet, Arctic permafrost thaw, and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.

Prolonging the health of Arctic sea ice is a potentially powerful tool to lessening the devastating impacts society faces from climate change. To assess the options to achieve that, we conducted a year of intensive and extensive research resulting in a detailed roadmap that assesses 21 potential approaches to slow, stop, and/or rebuild Arctic summer sea ice. These are grouped into 5 categories: Arctic protection, pollution management, ice management, surface albedo modification, and solar radiation modification. Some of the actions identified in the map are straightforward, such as reducing black carbon from shipping and wildland fire, while many others are more novel and still in early phases of development. Many of these latter are considered climate interventions, or deliberate actions seeking to blunt and reverse the worst effects of climate disruption.

Ocean Visions is now focused on advancing the most promising of both proven and prospective approaches for future deployment and building a more supportive enabling environment for the research, development, and consideration of these potential tools.

THIS ROLE

We are looking for a highly talented, creative, and collaborative individual to join our team and bring strategic leadership and vision to our cutting-edge work in the marine ecosystem repair program (Repair). Work over the next two-three years will include:

1. Continuing to build and operationalize the Arctic Sea Ice Restoration Research Fund, which pools resources to advance the most promising approaches to Arctic sea ice restoration.
2. Managing the Fund’s first RFP through the process of successful awarding and execution of high impact research grants.
3. Developing a research framework and other tools to ensure responsible research on the most promising approaches to Arctic sea ice restoration.
4. Organizing the provision of direct technical support to inventors and developers of new approaches, drawing on a wide range of disciplinary experts in our network.
5. Expanding and strengthening broad-based international support and development of a coalition to support and advance this overall field of ocean-climate repair.
6. Participating in design and execution of a global innovation prize on Arctic repair.
7. Strategic development of the next focal areas for the program, including the possibility of expansion to other Arctic systems or other ecosystems.
8. Raising funds and building the relationships necessary to accomplish all of the above.

The Senior Program Director will report to the CEO, work very closely with the Chief Scientist, manage a Program Officer, and work in a collaborative manner with all other Ocean Visions staff and its programs.

PROFILE

The role requires a person with relevant subject matter expertise; a high degree of creativity; an affinity for innovation and emerging technology; excellent analytical skills; high leadership ability; large amounts of energy and drive; and a proclivity to build relationships, and to identify and engage key actors and institutions. We seek someone both bold and thoughtful, and who is comfortable moving forward with uncertainty. This role requires the ability to digest and understand science, engineering, technology; to navigate policy and governance arenas; and the ability for active learning to stay abreast of the rapidly changing arena of climate intervention. And based on this knowledge and understanding, be able to identify avenues for action that are both high leverage and feasible and know how to develop the steps to take to bring them to life. A successful candidate will have demonstrated these abilities, and in collaborative partnership with others. Familiarity with the opportunities and challenges in the application of technology and innovation to solve complex problems is necessary. Finally, the person must have true passion for this work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s (minimum) or higher degree in a related field.
• 10 years’ experience in the successful design and delivery of conservation, climate, or other environmental programs. At least 5 years in leadership of program design and execution.
• Ability to lead complex, multi-party programs and initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse actors to address complex problems.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly master new subject matter areas.
• Successful donor development and relationship management and grant management experience.
• Experience with facilitation across diverse areas of expertise and knowledge synthesis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and successfully manage a diverse workload, meet deadlines, and fulfill commitments.
• Expert analytical skills.
• Ability to operate independently, work in a remote office environment.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Thought leadership and vision
• Established network of contacts relevant to this work.
• Familiarity with research, development, and demonstration of emerging technology, preferably in the ocean and climate space.
• Experience in navigating controversial issues with calm and balance. Ability to move forward in environments of uncertainty.
• Familiarity with concepts related to climate intervention generally, and the Arctic specifically, ocean ecology and governance, and related topics.
• Experience working at the intersection of science and policy.
• Experience with innovation and scaling of innovation.

LOCATION, HOURS, AND TRAVEL

This is a regular full-time remote position. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S., and available to work standard business hours of a continental U.S. time zone. Must be willing and able to travel nationally and internationally, up to 20% time.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this position is $140,000-$185,000, commensurate with the candidate’s specific skills, years of experience, and background. Ocean Visions offers a competitive benefits program including dental, vision, and health insurance; 4 weeks’ paid vacation, paid sick time; funds for home office maintenance; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; parental leave; and more.

TO APPLY

Please apply here by uploading your resume and cover letter as a single combined PDF. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PDT September 10th to be considered. Candidate review will begin shortly thereafter and screening interviews will be scheduled in mid-late September. Finalists will be asked to provide names and contact information for professional references. Given the high number of applications we receive, we will only be able to respond to those selected for further consideration. Thank you for your understanding.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Ocean Visions is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status.