Associate Director of Conservation Partnerships

The Associate Director of Conservation Partnerships plays a central role in the success of the Aquarium’s Conservation department, with the responsibility of building and managing a network of collaborative relationships across Long Island Sound (and beyond) in support of our work. In this role, the Associate Director will serve as a key link between the work of the department and that of the region, ensuring alignment between departmental, institutional, and broader collaborative goals. The Associate Director will work closely with the VP of Conservation and Director of Research to set program objectives to meet institutional goals as articulated in the Conservation Action Plan and in support more broadly of the Aquarium’s strategic plan, An Aquarium Without Walls. The ideal candidate will have exceptional “people skills,” be adept at fostering strong relationships with partners, be able to navigate complicated relationships and situations, and be a skilled communicator. Importantly, the Associate Director must also have a strong background in ecology and conservation and be able to represent the details of the project portfolio to various audiences. Reports To: Vice President of Conservation

Salary Range for this role: $80,000 - $84,000

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plays a critical role in the management and cultivation of external partners in close coordination with the VP of Conservation
• Represents the Aquarium at external meetings and events such as committees, coalitions, and work groups, research collaborations, and conferences at the direction of the VP
• Supervises the department’s grants team and supports them in relationships with sub-awardees and other grant partners to ensure positive, productive, and timely adherence to grant-funded project goals and deliverables
• Support the research team in management of relationships within specific projects, including participating in standing project team meetings
• Work closely with the Director of Research and VP on new project development, ensuring alignment between internal goals, maintenance of strong partner relationships
• Contribute to writing of reports and publications
• Prepare and deliver public presentations at community events and scientific conferences
• Mentor and supervise the department grants team (2 positions), including 1 direct report
• Support Conservation staff on overall program implementation as needed, including participating in field and lab research when needed

QUALIFICATIONS

5+ years of relevant experience required Bachelor’s degree in ecology or related field required; Advanced degree strongly preferred

Previous field research experience required

Project and people management experience required

Prior experience working at a non-profit/with grant-funded projects preferred

Excellent written and oral communication skills required

Excellent organization skills required

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook) required

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. This posting is scheduled to remain open until June 5, 2026. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.*