Bristol Bay Sustainable Fisheries Lead

The Nature Conservancy•Anchorage, AK

About The Position

The Nature Conservancy in Alaska is seeking a Sustainable Fisheries Lead for its Bristol Bay Program. The role provides strategic leadership for the program’s sustainable fisheries portfolio, developing and coordinating strategies to sustain fisheries, protect supporting habitats, and strengthen the communities, cultures, and economies connected to them. The position takes an integrated approach encompassing habitat protection, Indigenous stewardship, subsistence and commercial fishing, local access and ownership, collaborative science, climate resilience, public policy, and sustainable economic opportunity. It also contributes to related land conservation and community development initiatives. Reporting to the Bristol Bay Program Director, the Lead works with staff, partners, and advisors to set priorities, define measurable outcomes, and manage an integrated portfolio. The role builds and maintains partnerships with Tribal governments, Alaska Native organizations and corporations, fishing interests, communities, agencies, scientists, conservation organizations, landowners, businesses, and funders. The Lead connects local priorities with expertise and resources across TNC’s Alaska Program, Western and Canada Division, and broader organization. This is not primarily a fisheries biologist position; success requires systems thinking, cultural humility, sound judgment, collaborative leadership, and the ability to turn complex priorities into coordinated action and durable outcomes. The position is preferably based in Southwest or Southcentral Alaska, although other locations within Alaska may be considered. It requires regular travel within Alaska, including to remote locations, and work when necessary in variable weather, difficult terrain, and physically demanding conditions. A valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program are required. Employment is contingent on completing a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a motor vehicle record review.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, professional experience, Tribal service, community leadership, and lived experience.
Experience in one or more relevant fields, such as fisheries, conservation, natural-resource management, Tribal relations, public policy, community development, rural economic development, collaborative leadership, stewardship, or applied research.
Experience leading or coordinating complex projects involving multiple organizations, disciplines, communities, or sources of authority.
Experience building and maintaining partnerships with Tribal governments, Indigenous organizations, community organizations, government agencies, fishing interests, conservation organizations, or other relevant partners.
Experience facilitating collaborative planning, resolving complex issues, or developing shared strategies among partners with differing perspectives and priorities.
Experience managing project plans, budgets, grants, contracts, consultants, finances, or partner deliverables.
Experience communicating complex information through written materials, presentations, meetings, or public engagement.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with both technical and nontechnical partners.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly within Alaska, including remote locations.
Ability to work credibly with scientists and technical experts, understand and communicate relevant evidence, and connect science and knowledge with conservation action designed with and for local communities.
Valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program; employment is contingent on completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a motor vehicle record review.
Successful completion of TNC’s background screening process.

Nice To Haves

Preferred location is Southwest or Southcentral Alaska; other locations within Alaska may be considered.
Relevant qualifications may come from formal education, professional employment, Tribal service, community leadership, commercial or subsistence fishing, stewardship, policy work, applied research, or lived experience.
A degree in fisheries biology or another biological science is not required.
Applicants who meet many, but not all, of the qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Lead the Bristol Bay Program’s Sustainable Fisheries Core Team and establish long-term strategies, annual priorities, measurable objectives, and indicators of progress with the Program Director, staff, partners, and advisors.
Develop and implement an integrated portfolio linking sustainable fisheries with habitat protection, Indigenous stewardship, community well-being, fisheries access, collaborative science, climate resilience, public policy, and sustainable economic opportunity.
Build and sustain respectful, accountable relationships with Tribal governments and consortia, Alaska Native organizations and corporations, Indigenous leaders, fishing organizations, communities, agencies, scientists, conservation organizations, landowners, businesses, and funders.
Advance protection and stewardship of salmon-producing lands and waters with Tribal entities, Alaska Native corporations, willing landowners, land trusts, agencies, and other organizations, while respecting ownership, cultural resources, community uses, and locally determined priorities.
Support strategies that strengthen equitable and lasting participation in fisheries, including local access, ownership, leadership, and economic opportunity for rural, Indigenous, local, and younger fishing families.
Coordinate collaborative science, monitoring, and knowledge-sharing initiatives by identifying priority questions, developing projects and storytelling, securing resources, interpreting findings, and applying Indigenous and scientific knowledge to conservation and management decisions.
Connect Bristol Bay priorities with expertise and resources across TNC teams and the broader organization.
Develop and manage project plans, budgets, grants, contracts, consultants, timelines, and partner commitments; monitor progress, manage risks, document lessons, and adapt strategies as conditions change.
Work with the Program Director and philanthropy staff to identify funding opportunities, develop proposals and donor materials, support donor engagement, and secure resources for long-term initiatives.
Represent TNC in meetings, working groups, community gatherings, conferences, and public forums.
Communicate complex fisheries, habitat, scientific, and policy issues clearly and respectfully to varied audiences.
Foster morale, teamwork, accountability, and shared commitment among staff and partners.
Travel regularly within Alaska, including remote locations, and work when necessary in variable weather, remote locations, difficult terrain, and physically demanding conditions.