Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

We are seeking a new Chief Operating Officer who shares the organisation's passion for the work it does and who can provide strategic leadership and inspire staff to achieve its ambitious goals.

Position: Chief Operating Officer

Location: Oxford HQ (with hybrid working 2-3 days per week). International travel as required.

Salary: From £90,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 12pm, Sunday 12th January

About the role:

We are seeking a Chief Operating Officer to co-lead and implement the organisation’s strategy, operational and fiscal oversight, and team management – including with science, marine operations, logistics, data, communications, finance, and central operations teams along with an international alliance of science, business, government, philanthropic, and civil society partners.

You will manage one of the major global marine biodiversity programmes of the decade, radically advance our knowledge of ocean life, catalyse global marine conservation, inspire ocean engagement, and harness and champion equitable, international collaboration.

Your main duties will include:

• Co-lead with the CEO on organisational structure and resource needs to ensure implementation of the strategy. Develop and implement HR strategies, including talent acquisition, retention, and development.
• Support the CEO, together with senior management, in building and maintaining relationships with key external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and government agencies, and deliver on the required donor reporting together with the Senior management team.
• Leadership of the implementation and management of all programs and operations, including budgeting, staffing, legal, marine operations, administration, science, communications, and evaluation through effective oversight and management.
• Oversees the organisation's financial strategy and budgeting, ensuring alignment with the organisational vision.
• Co-develop with the CEO and implement fundraising strategies that enable achievement of the overall strategy and vision.
• Implements and operationalises the strategy, ensuring alignment with the vision (includes business strategies, plans, and procedures).

About you:

We are now looking for a confident leader to work alongside a team of experienced senior managers. You will need to bring with you the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrated track record leading in a fast-paced environment and managing a team to high performance.
• Competence in strategic planning, business development, and regulatory issues.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience with at least 8 years in senior leadership roles in operations, human resources, and/or finance functions with a strong track record of experience in globally active non-profits.
• Demonstrated track record of expertise and excellence in operations and financial management.
• Excellent organisational and leadership abilities and strong interpersonal and communications skills.
• Demonstrated leadership of productive, diverse teams, with strong culture.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, especially under pressure; ability to set detailed vision and direction across large, complex sets of work.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with all staff and stakeholders, fostering a culture of trust, effective communication, and collaboration towards achieving common goals.
• Business Management qualification and/or relevant experience.
• Experience in marine research, environment, conservation, and/or marine industry is desirable but not essential; candidates from other sectors are encouraged to apply.

You will be asked to submit your CV and a Cover Letter as part of the application process.

About the Organisation:

The charity runs a network of marine science research, expeditions/marine operations, knowledge exchange, and communications initiatives for, with, and on behalf of an Alliance of 100 international partners. Life has evolved in the ocean for nearly 4 billion years, three times longer than land. The diversity of ocean life makes all life on Earth possible – giving us air to breathe, creating food for billions, cycling and storing our carbon, regulating our climate, and providing medicine to fight disease.

With over 90% of ocean life remaining unknown and 75% of the seabed still unmapped, the mission is to advance the scientific exploration of the ocean and radically advance fundamental and applied science that helps us tackle global challenges including climate destabilisation, food insecurity, and biodiversity destruction. The accelerating loss of ocean biodiversity drives the charity’s urgency to discover and preserve ocean life for generations to come.