Fisheries Engagement Program Manager

Gulf of Maine Research Institute•Portland, ME

47m•$72,000 - $82,000

About The Position

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org. The role of the Fisheries Engagement Program Manager is to provide the strategy for and manage GMRI's Fisheries Engagement Program, ensuring alignment with our organizational goals, vision, and strategic initiatives.

Requirements

Master’s degree in related field or mix of life experience providing similar preparation.
Working knowledge on regional fishery issues such as stock assessments, regulatory shifts in annual catch limits, climate impacts, quota usage, monitoring requirements, data management practices, and fleet viability as they relate to ocean resource development.
Experience convening stakeholders to elicit a range of perspectives and drive towards consensus and/or climate action-related outcomes.
Working knowledge of the state, regional, federal, and international policy and regulatory environment governing fisheries and ocean management.
Experience working with Gulf of Maine coastal community members including fishermen, seafood suppliers, port authorities and other marine stakeholders.
Experience translating research, complex reports, and policy briefings (e.g., BOEM lease announcements, fisheries and environmental analyses, risk assessments, etc.) for various non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated experience/success with federal and foundation proposal writing.
Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as experience communicating results in a wide variety of formats (e.g., reports, blogs, videos, social media) targeted to specific audiences.
Self-starting and comfort seeking out external collaborations and partnerships.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Oversee GMRI’s Fisheries Engagement Program
Develop and implement GMRI’s strategy for facilitating fishing industry engagement in fisheries and ocean management, including actions of the New England & Mid Atlantic fishery management councils, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Bureau of Offshore Energy Management, and other resource or spatial regulatory agencies.
Collaborate with colleagues to implement GMRI’s strategic plan, with a particular focus on the Adapting Fisheries and Seafood and Supporting Energy Solutions initiatives
Lead fundraising efforts to sustain and build the program (i.e., leading and collaborating on federal and state government proposals, partnering with the Development Department on foundation, corporate, and individual philanthropic opportunities)
Hire and supervise program staff and interns, as funding allows
Serve as point for GMRI’s engagement with New England fishing industry
Stay informed on the New England Fisheries Management Council, NOAA Fisheries, and States’ actions, processes, decisions, and engagement opportunities.
Liaise among and coordinate with Department Heads, Research Scientists, and Program Managers, working one-on-one, as necessary, to coordinate and advance GMRI’s relationships with fishing industry
Manage projects within Fisheries Engagement Program and with colleagues
Facilitate and lead convenings including port meetings, regional roundtables, and scenario planning workshops, ensuring diverse perspectives are represented and community priorities are centered.
Support co-production of knowledge initiatives, including cooperative research charters, gear trials, species surveys, and industry-informed science communication products.
Manage budgets, funder relationships, and reporting related to Fisheries Engagement projects, including offshore wind capacity building and coexistence work, cooperative research charters, and community-driven resilience efforts.
Responsible for all project deliverables including coexistence reports, engagement plans, the Gulf of Maine Offshore Wind Resource Hub, the Gulf of Maine Offshore Wind Newsletter, stakeholder workshops, and multiple GMRI.org project pages.
Write, review, and accept contracts and financial agreements with strategic advisors and consulting firms to guide the offshore wind engagement strategy and bring in external expertise.
Participate in staff meetings and retreats.
Lead and participate in organization-sponsored events, which may include some limited work commitments in the evening and on weekends.
Partner with the Communications and Marketing Department to be a spokesperson for / engage with media relating to GMRI’s Fisheries Engagement Program.
Lead and/or contribute to team-wide budget, data, and workflow management efforts.
Collaborate with supervisor to develop and track progress towards an individual professional development plan, as well as organizational strategic plan goals, objectives, strategies, and objectives.
Serve on ad-hoc internal working groups and initiatives (e.g., Engagement Working Group), as appropriate.