Manager, Tribal and Community Partnerships
Ocean Conservancy

Bonsai Leadership Group is honored to partner with Ocean Conservancy in its search for a Manager, Tribal and Community Partnerships. Download the full position announcement here.

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY

Ocean Conservancy works to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with its partners, it creates evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Learn more about Ocean Conservancy at www.oceanconservancy.org. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Ocean Conservancy’s Arctic and Northern Waters program works with partners in Alaska and across the circumpolar Arctic to advance ocean conservation grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge, and leadership from residents of the region. Ocean Conservancy’s team of experts work across community, state, federal, and international levels on issues such as food security, commercial fishing, offshore energy development, industrial shipping, and support for Tribal stewardship. Throughout its Arctic work, Ocean Conservancy partners with Alaska Native and Arctic Indigenous leadership to promote Arctic conservation solutions co-produced and co-managed with Indigenous experts, communities, and organizations.   

The Manager, Tribal and Community Partnerships is a new position that will support Ocean Conservancy’s continued commitment to building and sustaining partnerships with Tribes, coastal communities, and others in Alaska and the circumpolar Arctic. Working with the Arctic and Northern Waters team, the Manager, Tribal and Community Partnerships will nurture relationships with existing partners, including those that support Indigenous sentinel and guardian programs and other co-management and co-stewardship efforts, and cultivate new partnerships throughout the region. The person in this role will help ensure Ocean Conservancy’s partnerships are centered on mutual respect, shared decision-making authority, transparent communication, and acknowledgment and acceptance of each partner's unique contributions and needs.  

 

Primary Responsibilities

  • Build, expand, and sustain partnerships with Tribes, Tribal organizations, local governments, and communities that are rooted in trust, reciprocity, and mutual respect. 

  • Collaborate with partners to co-create projects, secure resources, and ensure Ocean Conservancy fulfills its commitments.  

  • Serve as Ocean Conservancy’s liaison for sentinel, guardian, and other Tribal or community-led projects and initiatives in Alaska and the circumpolar Arctic.  

  • Coordinate and communicate across internal teams and with external partners, ensuring follow-through within established timeframes using reliable channels and maintaining regular check-ins or updates.  

  • Support community and Tribal partners in developing storytelling assets and outreach materials.  

  • Engage with regional, national and/or global organizations to represent and amplify Ocean Conservancy’s work.   

  • Support other responsibilities and priorities as needed in alignment with Ocean Conservancy’s Arctic and Northern Waters program goals.  

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

Ocean Conservancy encourages applicants with a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required for consideration.

  • 3+ years of relevant professional experience in community-based conservation, program management, or related fields. 

  • Deep knowledge of and experience with coastal Alaska communities and Alaska Native peoples gained through lived, professional, or relational experience.  

  • Track record of building and maintaining relationships in Alaska’s Indigenous and coastal communities.  

  • Ability to be flexible and to bring cultural humility and creativity to relationship-building, while employing respectful problem-solving approaches.  

  • Reliable and responsive with a high level of personal accountability and integrity.  

  • Experience with program or project coordination and the ability to manage multiple work streams. 

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  

  • Experience guiding development of outreach materials and products.  

  • Ability to initiate and cultivate connections among partners and, through those relationships, co-create conservation opportunities to promote overarching ocean conservation goals.  


TRAVEL 

Travel up to 30% of the time, primarily within Alaska to support community and Tribal partnerships. Occasional travel to Washington, D.C. or other U.S. locations for team meetings and retreats.

LOCATION 

This is a hybrid or remote position based in Alaska (preferred) or Washington.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The minimum salary for this position is $80,000 annually, with an anticipated starting salary dependent upon the hired candidate’s location, qualifications, background, and experience. In addition, Ocean Conservancy offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:   

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employees, spouses (both same sex and opposite sex), domestic partner, and dependent children (effective day one of employment)  

  • Short- and Long-Term Disability (free for employee)  

  • Basic Life Insurance (free for employee)  

  • Healthcare and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account  

  • Retirement Planning - 100% vested upon hire; can begin contributing at hire. After 1 year, Ocean Conservancy will open a 401(a) account for you and will contribute 6% of your monthly salary whether you participate in the 403(b) or not.   

  • 15 paid vacation days, 11 holidays, 12 sick days, and two personal days

SHARE YOUR INTEREST

Bonsai Leadership Group has been exclusively retained for this search. To express interest in the position, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest here.  

We understand that summer is a full season in Alaska and many community members are fishing, traveling, and spending time with their families. We are committed to a thoughtful and culturally respectful recruitment process that accommodates these seasonal rhythms.  For this reason, interested candidates are encouraged to submit materials by Friday, October 3, 2025.   

Bonsai Leadership Group will evaluate submissions as they are received and follow up directly with individuals who are most aligned with the skills, qualifications, and experiences required for this role.  

If you are a person with a disability and need help submitting your materials for consideration, please contact us at careers@bonsaileadershipgroup.com.  This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of your interest in this position.   

All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.