Bonsai Leadership Group is excited to support Ocean Conservancy in its search for a Director, Climate Science.   

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY  

Ocean Conservancy works to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with its partners, it creates evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Learn more about Ocean Conservancy at www.oceanconservancy.org.  

THE OPPORTUNITY  

The analytical and strategic Director, Climate Science is responsible for providing expertise, direction, and guidance among Ocean Conservancy, the larger ocean conservation community, and scientific experts to raise visibility of ocean-climate science and ocean-based climate solutions, with a special focus on a responsible research agenda for marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR).   

The Director, Climate Science will drive initiatives, coordinate partner efforts, and develop external voices in support of evidence for ocean-climate action and raising the profile of climate change impacts on the ocean. The Director, Climate Science will ensure that materials and topics from Ocean Conservancy related to climate change science and solutions are factual and informed by relevant, respected, and recent science or other ways of knowing, including Indigenous knowledge and other non-western, traditional forms of knowledge. As a collaborative leader, the Director, Climate Science will work closely with the Senior Director, Climate Policy and Chief Scientist and in partnership with the Communications, Government Relations, Development, and other Ocean Conservancy programs, as well as external partners.   

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE  

The ideal candidate will possess many of the experiences and qualifications described below but need not possess them all for consideration:  

• Five to 10 years of professional experience in ocean-climate science and/or policy background in marine or climate science research.    
• Extensive knowledge, training, and expertise in mCDR and/or the marine carbon cycle.  
• Demonstrated ability to lead coalitions or collaborative efforts with other departments, organizations and/or stakeholders.  
• Superior written and oral science communication skills, including the capacity to communicate complex and technical topics compellingly to a variety of audiences.   
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize technical information to support decision-making.  
• Familiarity with public policy, communications, conservation, and the non-profit sector is preferred.  
• Ability to work independently at a high level and respond rapidly to advocacy, science, and communications opportunities.  
• Highly collaborative with an appreciation of the benefit of a multi-disciplinary team approach.  
• Strong attention to detail and adherence to deadlines and deliverables.  
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently.   
• Willingness to travel, including internationally, for collaboration, media events, and conferences.  
• Established record in peer-reviewed publications.  
• Additional language skills beyond English highly valued.  
• Strong passion for Ocean Conservancy’s mission, values, and commitment to ocean justice.   

LOCATION   
Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work structure in the following states: AK, CA, DC, FL, MD, OR, VA, TX, WA, and WV. The preferred location for this position is the Washington, DC metro area.