Director, Fisheries & Seafood

Role Summary

We need the ocean. The ocean needs us.

As the Director, Fisheries & Seafood, you will lead Ocean Wise’s next phase of growth, innovation and impact for the Fisheries & Seafood program. You will work to advance both sides of the program – strengthening engagement with fisheries, while expanding demand and market opportunities for responsibly harvested seafood. Working across programs, market engagement, communications, and philanthropy & partnerships, you will help build the partnerships, profile, funding, and market connections needed to scale the program and expand its conservation and community impact across Canada.

This role has multiple interconnected areas of focus including building trusted relationships with fisheries, specifically Indigenous and small-scale fisheries; expanding market opportunities and use of the Ocean Wise label; strengthening communications and engagement; developing partnerships and resources; and identifying innovative opportunities for growth.

Please note that the successful candidate must be located within the Metro Vancouver region or reasonable commutable distance and be available to attend in-person meetings, events, and stakeholder engagements in and around Vancouver as required.

Who You Are

You are a strategic and relationship-driven leader with a passion for sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, and creating meaningful impact. You excel at building trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups and translating opportunities into partnerships, resources, and measurable outcomes that advance shared goals. You are motivated by growing innovative programs that create lasting benefits for fisheries, coastal communities, and ocean health.

What You Will Be Doing

Program Strategy, Innovation & Growth

• In collaboration with the Vice President, Programs, develop and implement the strategic direction and annual workplans for Ocean Wise’s Canadian Fisheries & Seafood program.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to grow the scale, reach, profile and impact of the program, translating opportunities into partnerships, funding, market engagement and measurable conservation outcomes.
• Identify, assess, and prioritize Canadian fisheries and market partners for participation in the Ocean Wise Seafood program based on conservation outcomes, community priorities, and market readiness.
• Support participating fisheries and market partners through onboarding, continuous improvement and engagement in the Ocean Wise Seafood program.
• Develop and oversee performance measures, reporting frameworks, and evaluations that demonstrate conservation, community and market outcomes.

Fisheries, Communities & Market Growth

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, harvesters, fishing communities, seafood producers, governments, NGOs, academic institutions and other strategic partners across Canada.
• Work with Indigenous and small-scale fisheries to identify opportunities where Ocean Wise can support conservation, stewardship, economic opportunity and market access.
• Work closely with the Communications & Engagement team to connect participating fisheries with seafood buyers (restaurants, retailers, etc.) to expand demand for responsibly harvested seafood.
• Foster collaborative partnerships that strengthen sustainable fisheries, support Indigenous leadership and stewardship, and create pathways for responsible seafood products to reach Ocean Wise market partners.
• Identify market opportunities and approaches that expand participation in the Ocean Wise Seafood program and strengthen its value to fisheries, business and consumers.
• Represent Ocean Wise in cross-sector partnerships, regional fisheries initiatives, and collaborative forums, serving as a trusted ambassador for sustainable fisheries.

Communications, Partnerships & Resource Development

• Work closely with the Communications & Engagement team to increase the visibility and influence of the Fisheries & Seafood program, tell compelling stories about fisheries and communities, engage consumers and partners, and build demand for responsible seafood.
• Work alongside Philanthropy & Partnerships to identify funding opportunities, develop fundable propositions, cultivate donors and partners, and secure grants and other resources for program growth.
• Build cross-sector partnerships that extend the reach and impact of Ocean Wise’s work.
• Represent Ocean Wise publicly as a subject-matter expert, advocating for solutions that align conservation outcomes with market realities.

Financial Stewardship & Team Leadership

• Develop and manage annual budgets, monitor financial performance, and proactively adjust plans to maximize resources and impact.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to the Fisheries & Seafood team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation and ambition.
• Ensure the team is well structured, trained and empowered to deliver on ambitious goals; set clear objectives, track progress and address challenges with transparency and fairness.
• Stay ahead of emerging science, technology, industry, and market trends to position Ocean Wise as a leader in sustainable fisheries and seafood.

What You Bring

• 7+ years of experience in fisheries, sustainable seafood, marine conservation, or a related field, including leading multidisciplinary teams or complex initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience building, growing or evolving programs, initiatives, or partnerships.
• Experience working with commercial fisheries and knowledge of Canada’s fisheries management framework and seafood supply chains.
• Experience building respectful, collaborative relationships with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, fishing communities, governments, industry, NGOs, and research institutions.
• Strong understanding of fisheries sustainability, seafood traceability, and market-based conservation approaches.
• Proven ability to build and maintain cross-sector partnerships that turn opportunities into programs, resources, market connections and results.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and represent Ocean Wise publicly.
• Strong collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively with communications, fundraising, market-facing and program teams.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with experience developing workplans, managing budgets, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• High level of digital literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Salesforce, and other collaboration/project management tools.

Assets include: experience working directly with First Nations or Indigenous-led fisheries and understanding Indigenous rights, governance, and stewardship approaches; experience conducting fisheries assessments or supporting fisheries improvement initiatives; experience developing market-based conservation initiatives, sustainable seafood partnerships, fundraising or resource mobilization; a Master’s degree or higher in marine science, fisheries, environmental management, Indigenous governance, or a related field.

How You Will Be Measured

• Ability to develop and implement a strategic direction for the Fisheries & Seafood program and demonstrate measurable growth in reach, relevance and conservation impact.
• Ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with fisheries and fishing communities, including First Nations, Indigenous-led and small-scale fisheries.
• Ability to identify, assess, and support priority fisheries while expanding pathways for responsibly harvested seafood to reach Canadian markets.
• Ability to strengthen relationships with buyers and market partners, increasing demand and use of the Ocean Wise Seafood program.
• Ability to work with Communications & Engagement/Philanthropy & Partnerships teams to increase program visibility, share impact stories and secure resources for growth.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership and build effective collaboration across programs, market engagement, communications and philanthropy & partnerships.
• Ability to effectively manage program resources, budgets, & workplans aligned with organizational priorities.
• Ability to track, evaluate, and communicate conservation, fisheries engagement, market and community outcomes.

What We Offer

This full-time, benefits-eligible position offers:

• A remote working environment, with the option to work in person in the beautiful Vancouver head office.
• A base salary of $100,000–120,000, in line with market data for not-for-profit organizations.
• Benefits coverage on a premium cost-shared basis, including extended health and dental coverage, vision coverage, $300 health spending account, group term and supplemental life insurance.
• Short-term disability coverage.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• RRSP matching of up to 6% after one year of service.
• 15 paid vacation days to start.
• 10 paid sick days.
• 6 management days.
• 12 paid Statutory and General Holidays each calendar year.
• An annual all-staff retreat to allow in-person connections and team building.
• Professional development opportunities.
• The opportunity to be part of a team that’s helping to save the ocean.

Where and How You’ll Work

The typical work week is 37.5 hours. This is a remote-first position requiring the successful candidate to be located within Metro Vancouver or reasonable commutable distance for in-person meetings with team members, partners, stakeholders and events. The role may require travel and/or occasional weekend/evening work.

Inclusion and Diversity

At Ocean Wise, we believe that a welcoming and diverse workplace fosters the inclusion of historically underrepresented voices. Ocean Wise encourages applications from equity-deserving groups and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. Ocean Wise values human connection and fairness in recruitment, and does not use AI, algorithms, or automated tools to screen or evaluate candidates. All applications are reviewed by the hiring team to ensure each candidate is considered thoughtfully and equitably.

How to Apply

More information and application: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4459452117/