North American Program Director, Seafood Choices Alliance

SeaWeb, an international non-governmental organization that uses strategic communications to advance ocean conservation, seeks a qualified candidate to manage North American operations for its primary business engagement program, the Seafood Choices Alliance. By convening and connecting scientists, industry leaders and the media, SeaWeb empowers new champions who advance ocean conservation solutions.

Ceres NGO Consulting, a search firm specializing in assisting environmental nonprofits with their recruitment needs, is assisting SeaWeb in this important search. All inquiries, nominations and applications should be directed in confidence to Rebecca Marshall at sarrebecca@aol.com.

Background

Seafood Choices Alliance is an international association that advances the global marketplace for sustainable seafood and highlights the need for a global solution to threats facing the ocean. The Alliance convenes and connects leading voices from across the seafood industry – from fishermen and fish farmers to distributors, wholesalers, retailers and restaurants – to make the marketplace more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. In that context, the Alliance helps to identify pragmatic solutions that emerge when seemingly opposed voices are brought together.

Over the past several years, sustainable seafood commitments across the supply chain and NGO-corporate partnerships have signaled a growing crescendo in the marketplace in support of environmentally responsible fisheries. These actions are driving change worldwide with major buyers of seafood and stimulating improved fisheries and aquaculture practices. Such efforts are rapidly transforming the North American seafood marketplace and changing the dynamics of this industry. Seafood Choices Alliance is leveraging the work of its conservation colleagues and finding new ways to engage industry leaders. We bring together those companies that are eager to innovate and lead this marketplace. At the same time, we are working hard to find ways that engage, encourage and challenge those companies that are still trying to find their entry point into the sustainability journey.

In the midst of that growing marketplace, the Alliance seeks to add a North American Director to its international team of corporate responsibility, strategic communications, and marine environment professionals.

Position Description

The candidate will work with the Seafood Choices Alliance Director (based in the Washington, DC area) to lead its sustainable seafood initiatives directed at key audiences in the North American market. A primary role of this position will be to engage leaders in the seafood industry and bring them together with the major players in the marine conservation community for productive and value-added dialogue. The North American Director will work closely with marine conservation groups, scientists, government officials and innovative thought leaders in the sector to help large and small businesses explore how seafood sustainability can best be integrated into their operations.

This position will provide exposure to the full suite of sustainable seafood issues and Alliance partners and will provide a large degree of flexibility and ownership of projects and events. It will also provide an opportunity for the candidate to contribute to SeaWeb’s broader industry engagement work, empowering leading voices in other corporate sectors that have an impact on the ocean. An experienced public speaker, the North American Director will have the ability to cultivate media and public attention, and to engage key policymakers. Effective project management experience is required in order to successfully implement a fast-paced program across the North American marketplace and integrate those activities with complementary work being done by the Alliance throughout Europe.

The successful candidate must be a strategic, flexible and results-oriented individual with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Knowledge of market-based approaches to solving environmental challenges is critical. Specific experience in the seafood industry is not required, although familiarity with the nonprofit sector, resource conservation, supply chain dynamics, corporate social responsibility and industry best practices is strongly preferred. The North American Director will report to the Seafood Choices Alliance Director and will manage staff working on a variety of the Alliance’s key projects.

Key Objectives and Responsibilities

The primary objectives and major responsibilities for the North American Director will include:

  • Providing focused and innovative leadership to the development of Alliance activities and projects in North America;
  • Cultivating corporate partner relationships and assisting in strategic outreach;
  • Facilitating regular cross-sector dialogue among Alliance corporate partners;
  • Establishing and maintaining partnerships with marine conservation groups, scientific bodies, certification entities, trade association colleagues and industry leaders, to support opportunities that promote sustainable seafood and encourage the certification of fisheries;
  • Serving as a spokesperson in order to cultivate and engage the media, major buyers of seafood, key policymakers and the public about the need to find global solutions to the threats facing the ocean;
  • Developing and managing various North American events;
  • Representing the Alliance at trade shows, meetings, and conferences;
  • Managing US-based staff working to implement Alliance projects;
  • Designing and maintaining grant budgets and the overall program budget;
  • Some grant proposal writing and development activities.

Qualifications and Experience

For this important role, SeaWeb seeks an individual with solid leadership skills and a proven ability to engage a broad array of industry and marine conservation partners, and policymakers. The successful candidate will bring the motivation, energy and focus necessary to advance the Alliance’s objectives, and combine exceptional communication skills with well-honed strategic instincts in order to function effectively within corporate, non-governmental and policy arena settings. Specifically, an ideal candidate will bring the following professional experience and personal characteristics:

Professional Experience

  • At least 10 years experience in business, marketing, non-governmental organizations or a related field, of which at least five of those years should be in the corporate world.
  • Excellent strategic abilities, with the capacity to articulate programmatic needs and translate them into effective initiatives.
  • Politically savvy with a proven ability to engage policymakers, business and other key audiences.
  • Strong program management skills, with a proven ability to lead, develop and execute a range of diverse strategies and approaches.
  • Prior knowledge of the seafood industry is not essential, but an understanding of North American industry markets is advantageous.
  • Programmatic or strategic corporate social responsibility experience is desirable, as is prior experience in the non-governmental sector, although relevant transferable experience will be considered.
  • Experience in working with the North American press and generating media interest and attention for issues is required.

Personal Characteristics

  • A minimum of a BA or BS degree in a relevant field is required, and an advanced degree is preferred.
  • Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and persuasively, be an effective public speaker and have the ability to engage a broad array of individuals at all levels.
  • Demonstrated strengths in advocacy, negotiations, public education and outreach. An ability to work effectively as a member of a team, and to provide guidance and leadership to colleagues, with an ability to motivate others.
  • Creativity, tenacity, good humor and a high level of energy combined with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • A willingness to travel.
  • Proficiency in French and/or Spanish is a plus.
  • An interest in, and commitment to, marine protection is highly desirable.

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, in addition to a generous benefits package. The position is based in SeaWeb’s Silver Spring, Maryland office.

How to Apply:

Please send resumes and cover letters in confidence to:

Rebecca Marshall

Ceres NGO Consulting

617 Elm Avenue

Takoma Park, MD 20912

sarrebecca@aol.com

For more information see www.seaweb.org. No phone calls please.

Applications are strongly encouraged from candidates reflecting diverse educational, cultural and experiential backgrounds. We encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, people of diverse ethnic, racial, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, educational and work experiences, geographic and national origins, sexual orientations and ages.

SeaWeb is an equal-opportunity employer.