| Vice President of Programs - NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY | |
| Job Type: Regular | |
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Work Location Silver Spring, MD U.S.A |
Targeted Salary Not Specified Benefits: |
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Type of organization / Mission Focus: Geographic Scope: None Keywords: |
Organization Website: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=0200bf98-02fd-4fdc-b6c6-b084bfbd8d58&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=511606&source=CC2&lang=en_US |
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Required Experience: Who You Are
Required Qualifications 10 - 15 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in conservation, environmental education, historical or cultural asset management and preservation, or environmental program management. At least seven years of successful experience managing multiple teams across a similar organization (education, conservation, historic preservation). Experience with federal grants/federal cooperative agreements, including design, compliance, and reporting highly desirable. Familiarity with national education standards and experience translating scientific content into effective, standards-based educational programs and materials. Demonstrated success leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex program portfolios. Proven experience developing performance metrics, evaluation frameworks, or accountability systems. Track record of partnership and collaboration with senior leadership (CEO, CFO, Communications and Marketing, Development, Operations, Board of Trustees). Experience aligning program design and resource mobilization with philanthropic and donor priorities. Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills. Commitment to community-centered stewardship. Ability to work occasional evening and weekend commitments for conferences and partner engagements. Ability to travel domestically (approximately 25%) to national marine sanctuaries and related events, conferences, board meetings. Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree in education, marine science, environmental policy, natural resource management, maritime heritage and historical preservation, or related field. Experience developing strategic conservation-business models and conservation-finance tools that can scale from local to state/regional and potentially national levels. Knowledge of NOAA, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and interest in U.S. Ocean policy and coastal management frameworks. Experience negotiating or managing multi-party federal or institutional cooperative agreements or interagency partnerships. Familiarity with federal and philanthropic grantmaking systems and compliance. Public speaking or thought leadership in ocean, coastal, or environmental fields. Excellent proposal writer, presentation skills. Personal Attributes Strategic thinker with an operational mindset; able to translate ideas into execution. Collaborative, diplomatic, and skilled at managing across functions and personalities. Curious and humble — comfortable leading through learning. Results-oriented and data-driven, while grounded in mission and relationships. Excellent communicator and storyteller. Why You Will Love Us The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (“Foundation”) is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, working with communities to conserve and expand those special places for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. The Foundation works in close partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase stewardship of our ocean and Great Lakes through on-the-water conservation projects, and education and public outreach activities, and by support for research. Together, we safeguard species and the places they call home, and support coastal communities and economies. Dedicated and passionate staff committed to marine and Great Lakes Conservation Generous leave policy, plus paid time off the week between December 25 and January 1; and 12 paid holidays Health benefits: Medical with an FSA option; dental, and vision Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance Preparing for the Future: 403(B) with employer contribution after one year of service Commuter Benefits Compensation and Benefits: $130,000 - $150,000 per year based on experience. The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package. Applications must include a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references. Applications received by December 4, 2025 will be preferred. Location: Washington D.C. based (Silver Spring HQ office location), with an ability to work on a hybrid schedule. ______________________________________________________________________________________ The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The Foundation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time. |
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Duties / Expectations: Vice President of Programs
NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY 8455 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Hybrid work $130,000 - $150,000 a year - Full-time Skills Writing grant proposals Team management Senior leadership + show more Do you have experience in Writing grant proposals? Job details Here’s how the job details align with your profile. Full-time Shift and schedule Weekends as needed Evenings as needed Benefits 403(b) Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Dental insurance Flexible spending account Disability insurance Full job description Location: Silver Spring, Maryland (On-site) Supervisor: President & CEO Direct Reports: Conservation, Education and Outreach Staff Status: Full-time, exempt About the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Founded in 2000, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, is the national nonprofit partner to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS). Together, we work to protect America’s most treasured ocean and Great Lakes areas — places of extraordinary biodiversity, maritime heritage, and community value. Guided by our commitment to Waters for All, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation connects people to the ocean and Great Lakes through education, conservation, and community engagement. As the official nonprofit partner of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, we support 18 marine environments from Massachusetts to American Samoa and the Great Lakes to the Florida Keys. We protect these iconic places, care for marine wildlife and habitats, honor our nation’s maritime heritage, and promote the enjoyment of public waters by all Americans. Through public fundraising and partnerships, we invest in community stewardship and engagement, on-the-water conservation and restoration, education and outreach in visitor centers and gateway communities, and cutting-edge scientific exploration. For more than 25 years, we’ve strengthened people’s connections to our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes—our shared history, culture, and maritime heritage—and built partnerships with coastal communities and businesses tied to over 629,000 square miles of public waters that belong to all Americans. About the National Marine Sanctuaries America’s national marine sanctuaries are living classrooms, laboratories, and community assets that protect the waters shaping our shared future. Managed by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), this network of 18 marine protected areas are multi-use by nature and spans more than 629,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes — from coral reefs and kelp forests to historic shipwrecks and whale migration routes. In partnership with marine research institutions, universities, and private-public partnerships, activities in each sanctuary are sources of solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. Sanctuaries safeguard marine biodiversity, sustain fisheries, power coastal economies, and inspire stewardship through science, education and outreach, and outdoor recreation from boating to fishing. Many sanctuary gateway communities include visitor centers and community partnerships with zoos and aquariums that extend this impact — serving as hubs for conservation, innovation, commerce, and tourism where people engage directly with the ocean and Great Lakes. Together, these sites demonstrate how healthy waters and thriving communities are inseparable — and why protecting them is essential. What We Need We are seeking a Vice President of Programs (VP Programs), a key member of the Foundation’s senior leadership team, who will be responsible for translating mission into measurable impact across our national network of programs. This leader will oversee the Foundation’s Conservation, Education, and Outreach teams, support and direct grantmaking (federal and non-federal) in partnership with Foundation executive leadership, working closely with program operations, to ensure that our work advances both NOAA’s sanctuary priorities and the needs of coastal communities. This is a pivotal role at the intersection of education, conservation, recreation, visitation, and programming in the sanctuaries. The person in this role will report directly to the President and CEO. What You’ll Do Lead the design and execution of strategic programs aligned with the Foundation’s three-year Strategic Plan including all education and outreach programming, sanctuary visitor center and sanctuary visitation strategy in consultation with NOAA, our conservation and restoration strategy and team. Partner with Program Operations to support execution of operations of grantmaking to ensure grants meet sanctuary priorities and needs. Partner with Development to fundraise for programs by strategizing, participating in cultivation events, researching, and writing for grants and soliciting gifts and other kinds of support for programs. Strengthen accountability and performance measurement for grantmaking and partnerships by establishing and operationalizing performance metrics. Build and share a cohesive narrative of impact that connects sanctuary conservation, maritime heritage preservation, education and visitation through strategy and programs to donors, policymakers, and the public. This position is based at the Foundation’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland and will involve frequent travel to national marine sanctuaries, national conferences, and donor visits up to 25%. Key Responsibilities Strategic and Program Leadership Provide vision, leadership, and management for the Foundation’s programmatic portfolio — ensuring alignment with the mission, strategic plan, and NOAA ONMS priorities. Oversee and manage Conservation, and Education and Outreach divisions, fostering collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence. Translate strategic objectives into clear program goals, measurable outcomes, and actionable plans. Ensure programs respond to the evolving needs of sanctuaries and coastal communities while maintaining scientific integrity and partnership with NOAA. Grantmaking and Cooperative Agreements Ensure best practices are being used to advance Foundation grantmaking performance; review and recommend changes to the Foundation’s grantmaking model in line with new strategic plan. In partnership with Program Operations and Development, establish new grantmaking models, from private philanthropy to federal cooperative agreements, ensuring rigorous design, transparent processes, and measurable outcomes, across federal and private resources. In partnership with communications, promote programs and funds — from solicitation and review to award and reporting. Serve as one the Foundation’s senior strategic partners with Program Operations to co-design and manage cooperative agreements, review interagency MOUs, be aware of federal reporting systems and timelines; assisting Program Operations to identify and secure new funding, maintain compliance, performance, and relationship management with NOAA and other federal partners. Organizational Design and Team Development Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing, multidisciplinary team of diverse professionals including conservation and restoration specialists, educators, and visitor center staff. Lead the design and implementation of a new division – programs – including developing a staffing plan that strengthens alignment across the Foundation’s Conservation, and Education and Outreach programs. In collaboration with Executive Team the VP Programs will establish dedicated grant managers and program officers, ensuring that structure, capacity, and expertise support efficient grantmaking, compliance, partnership, and learning. Collaborate with HR, Finance, and the CEO to establish workplans, annual budget, and SOPs. Performance, Learning, and Accountability Work with the President & CEO and Chief Financial Officer to implement clear program and grantmaking performance metrics, evaluation frameworks, and accountability systems. In partnership with Program Ops, ensure team are integrating financial and program data to drive informed decision-making and transparent reporting. In partnership with Program Ops, ensure donor and board-facing dashboards in C-STAAR (our grants management platform) are accurate and communicating measurable impact. Strategic Resource Alignment and Fundraising Collaboration Partner with the Development to align program priorities, sanctuary needs, with funder and donor interests, helping translate program impact into compelling funding opportunities. Work with teams, sanctuaries, and affiliate staff to provide strategic and technical input on proposals, funder briefings, and donor communications. Support the cultivation and stewardship of funders through site visits, presentations, and impact storytelling. Communications Partnership Collaborate with External Affairs to build and promote the Foundation’s programmatic narrative to the public, decision-makers, government — showcasing impact across conservation, education, and community engagement. Partner with External Affairs and Government Relations on Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW), and other Hill briefings to ensure strategic grantmaking and sanctuary grantee community are represented in our public affairs. Ensure that program data, metrics, stories, partner and community testimonials, and outcomes are accessible and compelling to public, policy, and philanthropic audiences. Contribute to annual reports, media opportunities, visibility, and program marketing, thought leadership, and public communications. External Engagement This role will work closely with the CEO to represent the Foundation at conferences, symposia, and policy forums related to marine conservation, maritime heritage, public lands and waters education, outdoor recreation, and sanctuary stewardship. Travel regularly to sanctuary sites and coastal communities to engage partners, grantees, and stakeholders. Cultivate relationships with NOAA, other federal agencies, state and local partners, NGOs, academic institutions, Foundations, donors, and community organizations. Serve as a thought partner and convener across the National Marine Sanctuary System. Supervisory Responsibilities Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging; Assist in the development of annual SMARTIE performance and professional development goals, support and monitor progress towards goals, and conduct annual performance evaluations; Approve travel requests, timecards, and time off requests |
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Primary Skill Project Management |
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Critical Skills |
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To respond to this posting, use any of the following methods: Email: Fax: U.S. Mail: Organization Website: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=0200bf98-02fd-4fdc-b6c6-b084bfbd8d58&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=511606&source=CC2&lang=en_US |
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