Position:                     Project Manager -Sustainable Seafood

Preferred Location:   St. Petersburg, FL or Austin, TX

OVERVIEW:  Ocean Conservancy is seeking a talented new team member to help us secure sustainable fisheries working in partnership with leading seafood businesses. Ocean Conservancy’s Sustainable Seafood Manager will lead our efforts to advance solutions with the support of seafood buyers, retailers, processors, and fishermen with a focus on the Gulf of Mexico.  By leveraging the power of the supply chain, Ocean Conservancy’s Sustainable Seafood Manager will help institute fisheries management policies and practices that result in healthy oceans and sustainable fisheries. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of related experience in business development, corporate relations, marketing and communications. Ideal candidates will have a business background and/or supply chain experience in the food industry and a general knowledge of fisheries. Candidates with demonstrated past experience communicating substance of policies that are legally, scientifically and politically complex to business and industry prospects are preferred.  The Sustainable Seafood Manager will work either out of Ocean Conservancy’s St. Petersburg, FL or Austin, TX office. Please see attached job description for more information.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:  The Sustainable Seafood Manager is responsible for developing and managing partnerships with the seafood industry, recruiting seafood buyers to support fishery policy improvement, and developing strategies to improve fisheries through seafood industry partnerships.  The Sustainable Seafood Manager works with a team of Ocean Conservancy policy specialists, communications and outreach staff to coordinate sustainable seafood initiatives being carried out in the Gulf of Mexico, including communication and media, and constituent and industry outreach.  The Sustainable Seafood Manager is also responsible for managing relationships with environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO) partners and coordinating communication between Ocean Conservancy staff and partners from both the conservation community and industry.  

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 

·      Identifies and manages industry partnerships to improve fisheries sustainability.

·      Develops and implements successful strategies jointly with the Aquaculture program director and the Fisheries Conservation and Management Director for improving key Gulf fisheries through seafood markets work.

·      Works with policy specialists to develop specific fishery policy improvements that can be supported by seafood industry partners and serves as a liaison between buyers/partners to recommend improvement actions to buyers.

·      Meets with buyers and partners to develop proposals and agree on the level of their participation.  Coordinates and enlist the help of existing partners, as necessary, in developing relationships.

·      Leads efforts to improve the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery through a fishery improvement initiative which includes industry, government and ENGO partners. Recruits seafood buyers and fishermen to support pro-sustainability policies. 

·      Develops and advocates management strategies to buyer-partners that create accountability for conservation and reward successful innovation by fishermen. 

·      Identifies and attends conferences and events to build industry and partner relationships.

·      Maintains regular communication with buyers, preparing progress reports, policy updates, and information about Ocean Conservancy’s project/approach, through marketing and communication campaigns, materials, media and online outreach working with Ocean Conservancy communications specialists and/or consultants.

·      Assists buyers with their internal and external communication strategies to educate staff and consumers about their commitment to sustainable seafood.

·      Coordinates regular meetings with buyer-partners and ENGO-partners to share information and discuss status, goals, strategies and relevant activities.

·      Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of related experience in business development, corporate relations, marketing and communications.  Business background and/or supply chain experience in the food industry a plus. Excellent interpersonal skills with proven track record of establishing productive working relationships with diverse groups including corporate, and industry leaders, and conservation partners.  Strong written and verbal communications skills; ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines; to think creatively, to explore new avenues for improvement and collaboration, and to implement new ideas.  Demonstrated past experience communicating substance of policies that are legally, scientifically and politically complex to business and industry prospects preferred.  Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience managing multiple projects at once are a must.  Willingness to travel and work long hours when required by project objectives.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and salary expectations to jobs@oceanconservancy.org and note Sustainable Seafood Manager in the subject line or fax to 202-872-0619 Attn: Sustainable Seafood Manager.