Overview
The Pew Charitable Trusts uses data to make a difference. For more than 70 years, we have focused on serving the public, invigorating civic life, conducting nonpartisan research, advancing effective public policies and practices, and achieving tangible results. Through rigorous inquiry and knowledge sharing, we inform and engage public-spirited citizens and organizations, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause. We are a dedicated team of researchers, communicators, advocates, subject matter experts, and professionals working on some of today’s big challenges – and we know we are more effective and creative collectively than we are individually. With Philadelphia as our hometown and the majority of our staff located in Washington, D.C., our U.S. and international staff find working at Pew personally and professionally rewarding.
Wise stewardship of resources allows Pew employees to pursue work that strategically furthers our mission in significant and measurable ways. We collaborate with a diverse range of philanthropic partners, public and private organizations, and concerned citizens who share our interest in fact-based solutions and goal-driven initiatives to improve society. Pew attracts top talent, people of integrity who are service-oriented and willing to take on challenging assignments. We provide competitive pay and benefits, a healthy work-life balance, and a respectful and inclusive workplace. Pew employees are proud of their colleagues, proud of where they work, and proud of the institution’s reputation.
The Environmental Portfolio at The Pew Charitable Trusts
For more than 25 years, Pew has been a major force in engaging the public and policy makers about the causes, consequences, and solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Our environment work spans all seven continents with more than 250 professionals working at the local, national, and international levels to reduce the scope and severity of global environmental problems, such as the erosion of large natural ecosystems that contain a great part of the world’s remaining biodiversity, and the destruction of the marine environment.
Pew has worked in the United States and Canada since 1990 to protect vast stretches of wilderness and more recently expanded our land conservation efforts to Australia’s Outback and Chilean Patagonia. Safeguarding these places offers an opportunity to conserve wildlife habitat, shorelines and landscapes for current and future generations. Our work relies on the sciences of conservation, biology, and economics to advocate for practical and durable solutions to the loss of biodiversity.
In the sea, reforms to how our oceans are managed are essential to address overfishing, pollution, and loss of habitat. Pew began its oceans program in the United States, focusing on ending overfishing and protecting fragile marine habitat. Starting in 2005, Pew’s ocean conservation program expanded around the world and played a significant role in reforming marine fisheries management in the European Union and on the high seas and creating marine reserves around the world. Our work is grounded in the best available science and pursues domestic and international conservation measures that are long-term and provide permanent, durable protections for marine ecosystems.
Conserving Marine Life in the United States
Pew’s conserving marine life in the United States (CMLUS) project focuses on protecting essential habitats found in coastal waters like oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and salt marsh that provide nursery areas, food and refuge for a diversity of marine wildlife. Efforts include working with communities and partners to advance policy and management measures at the state and federal levels that conserve and restore economically and ecologically valuable coastal habitats. Additionally, the project promotes an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management that takes into account the interdependent nature of ocean life. This work includes advancing measures that conserve forage fish that feed dependent marine life, protect ocean habitat such as deep-sea corals, reduce the incidental capture and killing of non-target species (known as bycatch), and integrate the use of comprehensive ecosystem plans into fisheries conservation and management.
Position Overview
The project director, conserving marine life in the U.S. (CMLUS) is responsible for delivering campaign outcomes focusing on nearshore and coastal habitat conservation as well as ecosystem-based fisheries management. They will do this by leading development and implementation of plans and activities to execute a five-year conserving marine life in the U.S. strategic plan. The ideal candidate has significant experience managing professional staff and designing and implementing successful environmental campaigns with a coastal habitat and fisheries management focus. This position supervises a team focused on Pacific coastal and ocean conservation.
The project director reports to the director, CMLUS, and is located in Pew’s Portland, Oregon office. The position has a set time frame that could be extended based on the success of the program, funding sources, and board decisions on continued support.
Responsibilities
- Develop and adaptively manage targeted, effective and measurable campaign strategies that result in policy reforms and other necessary actions at state, regional, and national levels to protect nearshore and coastal habitat and advance implementation of ecosystem based fisheries management, as agreed with the director, CMLUS and outlined in the CMLUS strategy.
- Direct and oversee the delivery of current campaign activities, ensuring that key campaign work meets the goals established.
- Support the director and senior director, environment and head of Portland office in conducting planning to scope and develop future CMLUS campaign strategies, setting achievable and measurable goals that build on campaign achievements to date, and advancing impact and momentum.
- Work with the communications department to develop and oversee a communications strategy that supports achievement of campaign aims.
- Identify opportunities and develop an effective plan, with key targets, objectives and deliverables to advance campaign efforts in key coastal states and policy-making fora.
- Provide strong leadership, management and oversight of the campaign team, including setting measurable goals and targets; establishing work plans and activity milestones; establishing clear, respectful and open lines of communication with the campaign team to address and trouble shoot (as necessary) issues; conducting performance evaluations and using evaluation mechanisms to monitor individual and team achievements; and ensuring project staff are adhering to Pew policies and procedures and partnering effectively with key stakeholders.
- Design cost effective budgets and monitor campaign expenses, evaluating, and managing project costs.
- Identify capacity needs, including hiring new staff and consultants to ensure the campaign has the necessary resources to achieve its goals.
- Oversee contracts and project funding agreements with external organizations to ensure deliverables are being achieved. Determine when goals are at risk of not being met, identify the causes and, when needed, take appropriate steps to fix any problems in ways that keep the campaign on course.
- In cooperation with Pew’s philanthropic partnerships group identify, build and support fundraising activities and cultivation of funder relationships, including cultivating donor relationships, develop and submit funding proposals, and meet reporting requirements.
- Establish and maintain communications and relationships with policymakers, marine conservation groups, scientific bodies, and other constituencies to advance campaign goals.
- Develop ongoing mechanisms to analyze policy opportunities, and regulatory and scientific developments that have relevance for campaign efforts.
- Serve as a spokesperson in order to cultivate and engage the public and key constituencies about the tangible mechanisms and solutions needed to address coastal habitat conservation and ecosystem-based fisheries management, including representing Pew publicly at conferences, seminars and official forums.
- Contribute to, and participate in, the tasks of the environment department as assigned, as well as broader Pew projects and activities as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
- At least 10 years of applicable experience, preferably in conservation management. This includes designing and implementing campaigns and large initiatives aimed at solving conservation needs. Expertise in coastal habitat protection, biodiversity conservation and management, environmental advocacy and/or land and sea protection preferred.
- Minimum of three plus years of previous direct supervisory experience required including experience managing performance management process for direct reports and providing career development advice and counsel.
- Prior to commencing employment with Pew, candidates for this position who were registered to lobby in any jurisdiction must certify termination of previous registration(s) and provide copies of termination notices with said jurisdiction(s) to Pew.
- Seasoned judgment. Able to make decisions, justify recommendations, and be responsive, clear and firm with consultants, colleagues, and partners. Able to adapt to a complex working environment in which influence is often exerted indirectly rather than through traditional chains of command hierarchies.
- Able to set short- and long-term planning goals in line with program strategy. Ability to analyze budgetary information and assess organizational capacity. A task-oriented style, with focus on achieving clear and ambitious goals. Demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.
- Ability to synthesize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue or problem, determine whether it is ripe for intervention and identify the means to address it. A strong commitment to producing measurable results.
- Media-savvy and politically astute. Excellent written and oral communications skills, including an ease in briefly summarizing issues. Strong oral, presentation, facilitation, and written communication skills such that complex ideas, thoughts and concepts are clearly articulated for a general audience. Clear, effective writing style.
- Strong interpersonal skills; able to develop and manage productive relationships with consultants, partners and others who contribute to the development of a project by anticipating possible outcomes. Excellent listening skills.
- Exhibit skills of diplomacy. Able to work productively with a wide array of people and institutions.
- Personal expertise, connections and networks. Possess a strong network of relevant contacts that can provide expert information and advance results. Able to leverage relationships to influence positive outcomes. Familiarity and connection with the conservation community is desirable.
- Fluency in English.
Travel
Substantial regional travel within the Pacific Northwest up to 40 percent (up to approximately 100 days per year) to meet campaign objectives as well as regular trips to Pew’s Washington, D.C. office (up to approximately six trips per year).
Total Rewards
We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.