Regional Director, Gulf and Southeast - Oceans Program

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships, and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents, and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.
 
Overall function
 
Regional Director – Gulf and Southeast, Oceans Program EDF’s Oceans Program works to improve the health of the oceans through innovative and durable solutions to today’s toughest fishery management challenges. EDF’s Gulf and Southeast Oceans Program seeks a Regional Director to be responsible for the development, oversight and implementation of strategies that advance these goals in the Gulf. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has an interest in fisheries and oceans policy, and demonstrated success managing regional teams and affecting policy change. The Regional Director will report to the Associate Vice President for regional programs.
 
Key responsibilities
 
The Regional Director – Gulf and Southeast, Oceans Program will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

• Manage the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast Oceans Program team. Enhance communication, coordination, and efficiency, and leverage the strengths and experience of Oceans Program staff in EDF’s Texas and North Carolina offices.
• Supervise Program operations, review and update budget and strategic planning documents and work plans for all major program initiatives in the region, as necessary.
• Serve as primary liaison with other EDF regional and national Oceans Program staff and contribute to their objectives.
• Analyze complex fishery management programs and find ways to eliminate overfishing, rebuild depleted fisheries and strengthen commercial and recreational communities through the adoption of catch shares or other effective accountability measures.
• Forge alliances among disparate interest groups and coordinate citizen and environmental groups in the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast. Help to build regional and national coalitions and promote conservation leadership in the commercial and recreational fishing communities.
• Engage the media to advance project objectives and communicate project results to a broad array of audiences.
• Coordinate the region’s work with the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, National Marine Fisheries Service, and other federal, state and interstate fishery and ocean conservation agencies.
• Engage academic scientists, policy experts, and others to solve complex fishery management problems.
• Represent the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast Oceans Program at regional advisory board and national trustees meetings as needed. Work with EDF development officers to identify potential funding sources and secure funding to help expand the program.
• Prepare and supervise the annual budget for the regional program.
• Function as a member of the Ocean Program’s Leadership Team with the goal of improving the effectiveness and coordination of the Ocean Program.

Qualifications
 
The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a growing program and staff
• Ability to use science, law, economics and advocacy to initiate and win positive environmental change
• Experience achieving results in policy and politics
• Experience with state and federal natural resource management agencies, state legislatures, or the U.S. Congress preferred
• Knowledge of federal and state ocean conservation laws and regulations preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work constructively with nonprofit colleagues and partners, scientists, economists, industry leaders, regulators and public policy decision makers
• Bachelors Degree required, advanced degree in law, marine biology, natural resource economics, or related discipline preferred

Salary / Location
 
EDF offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. This position will be located in Austin, TX.
 
Application
 
To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow the link below to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements.  This position will remain open until filled.
 
Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer
 
CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit www.cearecruiting.com.
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