The Fisheries Project Manager leads and participates in matrixed teams within and across chapter departments and Conservancy fisheries-related programs to develop, manage, and advance Florida’s sustainable fisheries projects, plans and methods, and help establish the Conservancy as a conservation partner in sustainable fisheries. The Fisheries Project Manager develops collaborative partnerships with a diversity of stakeholders including the recreational and commercial fishing community, public agencies, private organizations, and academic institutions to identify and implement innovative solutions to advance sustainable fisheries. The Fisheries Project Manager makes available the best science-based management frameworks, information, and collaborative tools to resource managers and fishing communities to promote co-responsibility in fisheries management. Location is flexible within Florida.
The Fisheries Project Manager supports the Marine Program in the Strategy Department of the Florida Chapter, reporting to the Florida Marine Program Manager. The Fisheries Project Manager’s initial primary focus will be to advance the chapter’s work on sustainable snapper-grouper fisheries and, as needed, support the chapter’s oyster fisheries work. The Fisheries Project Manager works with the chapter’s Science & Planning and Stewardship & Field Initiatives Departments and colleagues in the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and North America to collaborate with fisheries stakeholders. The Fisheries Project Manager serves as a principal contact to fishers and fishing organizations, fisheries agencies, management councils and commissions, conservation organizations, scientists, and foundations to strengthen existing relationships and build new cooperative and productive partnerships with diverse internal and external stakeholders to accomplish program goals. The Fisheries Project Manager develops key partnerships to identify and resolve technical issues, widely communicate solutions and best practices, develop innovative conservation methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address fisheries management needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Works with teams to develop and implement conservation projects and strategies for select Florida state and federal fisheries, integrating the chapter’s fisheries work with the Conservancy’s whole systems, division, and North America sustainable fisheries priorities.
- Develops and implements fisheries work and/or other relevant strategies and goals.
- Engages fishers and communities on local fisheries conservation efforts.
- Gains cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- Helps establish the Conservancy as a trusted conservation partner within the area of marine fisheries.
- Contributes effectively within a team-based environment to make decisions and solve problems, based on analysis, experience and context.
- Efficiently and effectively leads cross-functional multidisciplinary team(s) and contributes to teams led by others.
- Assists in developing and implementing communication strategies to widely communicate solutions and best practices.
- Assists in developing innovative science-based methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address fishery conservation and management challenges, contributing strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field.
- Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget, including working within/managing a budget to complete projects, overseeing agreements/contracts and innovative solutions with vendors, assisting with budget development, and assisting with public and private fundraising.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- Frequent travel domestically, evening and weekend hours may be required.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies
- Experience negotiating.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing, and implementing marine fisheries conservation policy and plans.
- Demonstrated familiarity with Florida fisheries issues, stakeholders, governance and policies
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of ecosystem-based fisheries management.
- Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Self-motivated professional who establishes clear directions and objectives.
- Demonstrated experience in grant writing.
- Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience is appreciated.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.