Deputy Director

We are seeking an experienced team leader to join us as Deputy Director. This full time, remote position, is an exciting opportunity for a partnerships-driven, proven science professional to join our organization at a time of growth, and lead our team of science-policy professionals to secure the role of science in the decisions that are shaping the future of California’s coast and ocean. We encourage individuals from a broad range of identities and experiences to apply. Application review is ongoing, for first consideration please apply by April 12, 2024. The anticipated start date of this position is July 1, 2024.  

About California Ocean Science Trust (OST)

We are an unusual state-connected, science nonprofit dedicated to accelerating progress towards a healthy and productive ocean future for California. Created by state legislation, we bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and sound ocean management. Our strength lies in our nimble response to state priorities and horizon-scanning to foster science solutions to the challenges facing coastal communities and ocean ecosystems in California. We leverage public and private funding to forge novel interdisciplinary science partnerships, encourage science co-production with communities, and build research capacity focused on California’s priorities and climate goals. 

We bring solution-focused science guidance to executive branch agencies and deliver independent science services to the California State Legislature and their staff. It is important to us that we are both responsive to science needs from the state and proactive in bringing science forward when new knowledge can play a productive role in advancing responsible and durable policy. Our current issue-areas of focus include marine carbon dioxide removal, coastal resilience and climate finance, offshore wind and climate resilient fisheries. 

Through our unique landscape position with built-in accountability to the state, bolstered by an agile and innovative culture, we are looking to the future and reaffirming the value proposition of a vibrant relationship between science and decision-makers. With a strong financial foundation, increasingly high-profile engagements, and state partnership and support, we are poised to strategically expand and holistically live up to the promise of our founding legislation. We see opportunities to broaden our state and academic partnerships, engage more fully in drawing resources to policy-relevant ocean science, and foster the next generation of science-policy leaders in California.  

Serving one of the most diverse states in the country, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and access are central values to our organizational philosophy and imperative to our mission. We are committed to cultivating a work environment where staff from all backgrounds and identities feel a sense of belonging and can thrive. 

Position Overview

In a newly visioned position for the organization, and reporting to the Executive Director, the Deputy Director position is a strategic partnerships, programmatic advancement and management role. We seek a thought partner and leader with an entrepreneurial spirit who can recognize and act on the opportunities in our small nonprofit status, and unique position and potential reach in California’s public universities and with government decision-makers/funders. 

We measure our success by the strength of the partnerships and collaborations that bring science and scientists together with state regulators, policymakers and managers. We work closely with a range of state agencies and departments, and are seeking to broaden and strengthen those partnerships. Our ideal candidate is inspired by the potential for trust-based public-private partnership to build organizational sustainability and impact. This position requires a deep understanding and appreciation of the political dynamics and motivations within state government leadership, and the ability to draw on that knowledge to build trusted relationships, and support state partners. 

We seek a colleague who is an accomplished relationship builder, and engages negotiation, diplomacy and mediation skills to build collaborative, multi-organizational partnerships that support organizational advancement. They deploy political acumen to ensure that proactive science engagement is supported by state partners, and demonstrate proactivity and vision in the construction and execution of a portfolio of programmatic work collectively advancing towards identified goals. 

We seek a colleague who brings deep experience in, and is motivated by, leading teams to achieve success, and who shares our values in an inclusive culture that supports professional growth. The Deputy Director will work alongside peer Directors of Philanthropy and Finance & Administration, and lead a team of seven science and policy professionals, and additional science fellows as issue-specific opportunities arise. We are a laterally structured organization, and all staff have opportunities for both leadership and support. We seek a colleague who is adept at balancing the responsibilities of leadership with the opportunities to work collaboratively with all staff. 

As a state connected nonprofit, we are supported by a range of public, philanthropic and private grants, contracts and gifts. We seek a colleague who has experience in efficiently and effectively directing and managing complex portfolios of work, often operating with differing budget structures, levels of financial support, timelines and clients. The Deputy Director will collaborate closely with the Director of Philanthropy to articulate clear programmatic direction and strategy for alignment with new funding opportunities. The Deputy Director will also collaborate closely with the Director of Finance & Administration to promote rigorous program management, compliance, and delivery of trusted high-quality science-policy outcomes from programmatic work. 

Responsibilities:

Leadership 

• Collaboratively with the Executive Director and peer Directors, support OST in achieving its mission, ensuring its programs build on accomplishments to date, and further strengthening the quality, relevance, and profile of the organization.
• Motivate and inspire staff to achieve OST’s maximum potential by promoting an organizational culture and structure that fosters communication, collaboration, teamwork, and trust.
• Set a critical leadership tone for the organization by fostering strong internal communications and transparency of process, reflective of OST’s unique state-connected nonprofit place on the landscape. Provide leadership, direction, and support for all programmatic staff, and directly supervise senior programmatic staff.

Partnerships and Development

• Serve as a trusted science partner to state agencies, bringing political acumen and a client-focus to strengthen science-policy processes and products.
• Advance new opportunities to leverage and enhance OST’s unique value to the state. Maintain, cultivate, and advance productive partnerships and collaborations, including with academic institutions and research centers, and state policymakers, managers and regulators. 
• Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy to employ entrepreneurial skills to engage philanthropic organizations as financial and strategic partners to build the brand and influence of OST. 

Management

• Ensure ongoing program excellence, integrity and transparency, through productive partnerships and rigorous project management. Ensure the high quality, and successful delivery of products that meet the needs and expectations of key audiences.
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance on preparation of budgets and financial planning for focal program areas. Provide guidance and support to programmatic staff in budget planning and tracking, for efficient project implementation. 

Location

Ocean Science Trust is headquartered in Sacramento, but staff work remotely and are based throughout California. Our team values the flexibility of remote work and is dedicated to effective remote team collaboration. Travel within California will be required with occasional opportunities to travel nationally. Flexibility for frequent travel to Sacramento is preferred. 

Qualifications: 

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong leadership and management skills. Experience and success managing staff teams to achieve strategic goals
• Superb professional presence, with proven ability to collaborate with public and academic leaders to initiate and mature organizational partnerships. 
• Entrepreneurial spirit and flexible thinker. Demonstrated ability to think creatively and design and implement new tools, approaches and processes to advance key initiatives. 
• Outcome-driven and skilled at directing and managing multiple initiatives. Strong ability to prioritize multiple tasks and remain flexible when faced with short or changing timelines. 
• Strong communication skills. Open-minded and able to facilitate productive discussions and to deal effectively with opposing viewpoints. Clear and open communication style, capable of finding common ground, developing trust and engaging others to achieve compromises and breakthroughs on complex, controversial issues. 
• Demonstrated understanding of and sensitivity to identity, race, and biases, and the dynamics they create in addressing the needs and priorities of diverse communities and people.
• Demonstrated strategic, analytic, and synthetic abilities. Ability to design and implement collaborative processes and to engage effectively with a diverse portfolio of public and private contractors, partners and collaborators
• Strong interpersonal skills to professionally and effectively represent the organization.
• Authorized to work in the U.S.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 10+ years of substantive and relevant experience; familiarity with California’s marine and coastal human-natural ecosystems, and ocean policy and management.
• Advanced degree in social science, political science, public policy, natural resource management, or other relevant field; PhD preferred.
• Extensive experience working within government contexts or alongside government partners; knowledge of current priority coast and ocean issues for the State in both Legislative and Executive branches of government preferred. 
• Deep experience in staff supervision and mentorship. Demonstrated success in leading and supporting teams comprising early- and mid-career staff and supervisors. 
• Experience working collaboratively with fundraising staff, and fostering trusted relationships with public, philanthropic and private funders.
• Experience collaborating and building relationships with internal and external audiences including powerful policy, science and philanthropy leaders.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $130,000-$150,000, in consideration of expertise and experience. We offer a generous benefit plan which includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision insurance, and more. We have flexible, family-friendly schedules, the option to work in our Sacramento office or remotely, mobile phone and internet subsidy, and up to 3.5% employer matching 403b plan after the first year.

To Apply

Click the apply button to submit your application materials including a resume and cover letter describing your specific interest and fit for the position. Application review is ongoing, for first consideration please apply by April 12, 2024. The anticipated start date of this position is July 1, 2024.

You must be authorized to work in the U.S. and be a current resident of the State of California, or willing to relocate if hired. Ocean Science Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff. Thank you for your interest.