We need the ocean. The ocean needs us.

Role Summary

As the Director, Fisheries & Seafood, you will lead the growth and execution of Ocean Wise’s Fisheries & Seafood program. You will be responsible for designing and executing growth strategies, expanding partnerships across sectors, and securing the resources needed to scale the program’s impact. As the Director, you will champion innovation in sustainable seafood, deepen Ocean Wise’s influence across the seafood value chain, and ensure the program is positioned as a global leader in fisheries and seafood conservation.

Who You Are

You are a seasoned leader in sustainable seafood and fisheries, with a strong track record of scaling conservation programs and driving impact across science, markets, and policy. You thrive at building cross-sector partnerships – from industry and NGOs to governments and Indigenous communities – and are equally confident shaping strategy, securing resources, and representing as a trusted thought leader.

What You Will Be Doing
Program Strategy & Growth

• In collaboration with the Vice President of Programs, develop and implement a clear long-term vision, growth strategies, and annual workplans to expand the reach and impact of the Fisheries & Seafood program.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities for growth, including new markets, sectors, and innovations in seafood sustainability.
• Design and oversee log frameworks, measurable outcomes, and reporting systems to track and demonstrate program impact.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and strengthen strategic relationships with NGOs, First Nations, the seafood industry, research and academia, retail, and government sectors.
• Forge high-value partnerships that drive adoption of sustainable seafood practices and advance Ocean Wise’s conservation goals.
• Act as a trusted thought leader and representative for Ocean Wise in multi-sectoral forums.

Resource Development & Financial Stewardship

• Work alongside the Philanthropy & Partnerships team to identify new funding opportunities, cultivate relationships with donors and partners, and secure grants to support program expansion.
• Develop and manage annual budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources while positioning the program for long-term growth.
• Monitor financial performance, track expenditures, and proactively adjust plans to maximize resources.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide strong leadership, coaching, and mentorship to the Fisheries & Seafood team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation
• Build organizational capacity by ensuring the team is well-structured, trained, and empowered to deliver on ambitious goals.
• Set clear performance objectives, track progress, and celebrate successes while addressing challenges with transparency and fairness.
• Stay ahead of emerging science, technologies, and industry trends to position Ocean Wise as a leader in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
• Represent Ocean Wise publicly as a subject-matter expert, advocation for solutions that align conservation outcomes with market realties.

What You Bring

• 7+ years of leadership experience in sustainable seafood, fisheries science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to design and grow large-scale programs, strategies or initiatives.
• Strong background in fisheries or aquaculture science, paired with experience in conservation or sustainability.
• Proven track record of building cross-sector partnerships and securing funding to advance mission-driven programs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders and represent Ocean Wise externally.
• Strong business acumen and comfort working at the intersection of science, markets and policy.
• High level of digital literacy ideally working with various platforms including Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and Salesforce.
• Assets include:
  • Master’s degree or higher in marine science, environmental management, business, or a related field.

How You Will Be Measured

• You work alongside the Vice President, Programs, to ensure a clear long-term vision is implemented for the Fisheries & Seafood program, while expanding into new markets, sectors, or regions.

• You demonstrate the adoption of innovative sustainable seafood practices and influence industry practices or policies by staying up-to-date on emerging science, technologies and industry trends to position Ocean Wise as a leader in fisheries and aquaculture.

• Ability to provide strong leadership to direct reports and across Ocean Wise, developing talent and leading a high-performing team.

• You manage program budgets effectively, with resources aligned to long-term growth, and work alongside the Philanthropy & Partnerships team to acquire new funding sources.

• You track and communicate conservation impacts to stakeholders by sharing demonstrable conservation outcomes and effective reporting frameworks.

What We Offer

This full-time, benefits-eligible position offers:

• A remote working environment, with the option to work in person in our beautiful downtown Vancouver head office
• A competitive base salary, $100,000 – 110,000, in line with market data for not-for-profit organizations
• Benefits coverage on a premium cost-shared basis, including
  • Extended health and dental coverage
  • Vision coverage
  • $300 Health spending account
  • Group term and supplemental life insurance
  • Short-term disability
  • Long-term disability
  • RRSP matching of up to 6% after one year of service
• 15 paid vacation days to start
• 10 paid sick days,
• 6 management days
• 12 paid Statutory and General Holidays each calendar year
• An annual all-staff retreat to allow in-person connections and team building
• Professional development opportunities
• The opportunity to be part of a team that’s helping to save the ocean!

Where and How You’ll Work

While this role is currently eligible to perform duties in a remote capacity, Ocean Wise reserves the right, with reasonable notice, to require you to perform your duties in person at an Ocean Wise office or other designated locations. The standard work week for this role is 37.5 hours, Monday through Friday, with rare exceptions for some evening or weekend work.

Who We Are

Ocean Wise is a global conversation organization on a mission to build communities that take meaningful action to protect and restore our ocean. Learn more about us at ocean.org.

Inclusion and Diversity

At Ocean Wise, we believe that a welcoming and diverse workplace fosters the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented. We encourage applications from individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process.