Heal the Ocean (HTO) logo

Executive Director

Heal the Ocean (HTO)

BENEFITS & FEATURES

  • Salary – $150,000 – $175,000
  • Health insurance stipend
  • 401(k) with a 3% employer match
  • PTO: 10 paid days off, 48 hours of accrued paid sick days, 11 paid holidays
  • End of year bonus
  • Floating holidays
  • Full-time employees have the 2nd and 4th Friday off each month

POSITION SUMMARY

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead one of the region’s premier ocean health organizations. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will build on HTO’s strong reputation and legacy of success to drive future growth and amplify its impact with innovative strategies. The ED will foster increased community and donor engagement, diversify revenue streams, and advance impactful local and state initiatives across projects, practices, and policy. He or she will oversee an annual operating budget of $1+M and lead a talented HTO team, including two direct reports: Operations Manager and Policy Analyst. In this highly visible and collaborative role, the ED will work closely with the Board, staff, local agencies, elected officials, wastewater management entities, and environmental groups to champion ocean health and drive measurable outcomes. As a respected thought leader in the community, the ED will proactively engage with the public, serve as a key liaison between the community and agencies responsible for pollution prevention, and be a bridge to promote meaningful environmental stewardship.

Strategic priorities for the ED include:

  • Leadership and Community Engagement: Foster meaningful relationships with stakeholders, recognizing and honoring their roles and contributions. Actively represent HTO on committees and boards that align with the organization’s mission and strategic objectives.
  • Development: Expand and diversify funding sources to ensure the long-term sustainability of HTO’s projects and programs.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide inspirational leadership, team building, and growth opportunities for the public as well as staff, while ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization’s programs and activities.
  • Guide the organization through regular strategy and planning sessions to assess programmatic effectiveness, impact, and financial objectives, and to develop new strategic programs.
  • Oversee programs to eliminate local sources of ocean pollution through science-based advocacy, fieldwork, and education.
  • Advance strategies focused on wastewater technology, beach hazard removal, capping of leaking oil wells, groundwater protection, and strategic planning for sea level rise.
  • Refine, create, and implement effective and efficient internal operational policies and procedures.
  • Serve as the public advocate and spokesperson for HTO and its need for public and philanthropic investment; support fundraising activities, including grants management, donor stewardship, events, and content creation; cultivate and build relationships and partnerships that enhance programs and advance the mission.
  • Work with staff to develop and implement comprehensive donor engagement and marketing and communications plans.
  • Lead budget development and management at the organizational and programmatic levels.
  • Develop long-term strategies for organizational staffing and structure that ensure HTO’s current and future needs are met.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

  • Experience with environmental review processes, regulatory engagement and enforcement, and an understanding of California’s water laws and the roles of key agencies.
  • Demonstrated senior leadership and management experience, including strategy and program development, budget development, board engagement, change management, team collaboration, and talent development.
  • Capable of advancing ocean policy from strategy to solutions, with ability to develop and adapt strategy in response to evolving needs.
  • Successful management experience in overall nonprofit business operations, including direct fiscal/operations, fundraising, program management, and employee and vendor relations.
  • Effective communication skills, written and oral; exceptionally well-developed listening skills; ability to inspire a wide audience through public speaking.
  • Track record of building effective partnerships with diverse constituencies, including businesses, elected officials, government entities, community organizations, and individuals.
  • Strong organization and prioritization skills with the ability to manage several projects simultaneously, with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Highly empathetic, exhibiting sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy when dealing with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated success in driving organizational growth and creating and implementing innovative programs with a data-driven lens.
  • An important trait in a successful candidate: a good sense of humor.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO APPLY, PLEASE CONTACT:

Katie Do, Director, Blair Search Partners
1855 1st Ave., Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101
katie@blairsearchpartners.com

To apply for this job email your details to katie@blairsearchpartners.com