Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) Manager

Location: Silver Spring, MD

Supervisor: Senior Vice President, External Affairs

Status: Full Time, Exempt, No direct reports

What We Need

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking a Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) Manager, an enthusiastic individual with strong organizational and time management skills to plan CHOW’s conference program, and its associated Blue Beacon Series events throughout the year. Capitol Hill Ocean WeekTM (CHOW) is the nation’s premier public policy conference focused on creating a thriving future for our ocean and Great Lakes.

Convened by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation every June, CHOW brings together scientists, policymakers, scholars, businesses and conservation leaders to address pressing conservation, science, and management issues facing our oceans and Great Lakes. In particular, the CHOW Manager will focus on developing the conference program and advancing an engaging and inclusive dialogue on how to sustain the health of our ocean and Great Lakes. The CHOW Manager also assists in other Capitol Hill Ocean Week events, such as CHOW Hill Day and DC Ocean Week.

The Blue Beacon Series aims to bring to light the ocean and Great Lakes’ biggest challenges and to increase recognition of the role of marine protected areas, particularly national marine sanctuaries in ocean and Great Lakes protection and stewardship. Blue Beacon events are held throughout the year focused on timely issues and driving action and showcasing innovative conservation solutions for our ocean and Great Lakes.

The CHOW Manager works closely with the President and CEO and Senior Vice President of External Affairs in developing program agendas; elevating and advancing policy and conservation actions; tracking conference impacts and outcomes; and coordinating across the Foundation team, speakers, and presenters and with external partners. The position requires the performance of a highly independent, organized professional.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts and Great Lakes for current and future generations.

What You’ll Do

Capitol Hill Ocean Week (75%)

• Provide strong ocean and Great Lakes policy and conservation expertise to help shape and strategically position CHOW as the nation’s premier conference convening leaders and influencers.
• Develop the annual themes, tracks, and content for CHOW conference, including developing and implementing CHOW conference program agenda (keynotes, plenary and breakout sessions, etc.) working closely with the CEO, SVP of External Affairs, and other Foundation team members.
• Engage and support the CHOW Advisory Committee through monthly meetings in the development of the CHOW program, speaker recruitment, and audience outreach to new networks to enrich the dialogue and increase the impact of the conference.
• Research and analyze timely and relevant topics and issues facing our ocean and Great Lakes.
• Engage key stakeholders, partners and targeted audiences for CHOW and Blue Beacon.
• Research, invite, confirm, and prepare speakers to showcase, influence, and advance conservation and policy solutions and partnerships.
• Assist SVP of External Affairs and Policy Manager in featuring policy outcomes, events, and announcements at CHOW, Hill Day, and engaging the Administration and Members of Congress.
• Support the Vice President of Development and the Development Team in implementing sponsor benefits and advancing key partnerships that overlap with the CHOW program.
• Work with the SVP of External Affairs, other Foundation staff, and events consultants to implement hybrid conference logistics for both in-person and virtual session formats.
• Work with the Director of Communications to develop and promote CHOW content and impact and raise the visibility.
• Facilitate annual strategic planning discussions, goals, and metrics tracking for CHOW.
• Work with SVP to develop annual CHOW budget and coordinate with the Finance Department throughout the year for tracking, including participating in monthly meetings.

Blue Beacon Series (25%)

• Coordinate an annual Blue Beacon Series calendar in conjunction with the CEO and SVP of External Affairs.
• Research topics and speakers for Blue Beacon Series events throughout the year.
• Champion protected waters and impact/importance of marine protected areas, including highlighting the Foundation and its Chapters, sanctuary sites, and/or partners.
• Research, invite, and confirm speakers.
• Engage and prepare speakers to meet event goals and objectives.
• Work with the SVP of External Affairs, other Foundation staff, and events co-hosts to implement conference logistics for both in-person and virtual session formats.
• Support the Development Team in implementing sponsor benefits and advancing key partnerships that overlap with the Blue Beacon Series.
• Work with the Director of Communications to develop and promote Blue Beacon Series content and impact and raise the visibility
• Work with SVP to develop the Blue Beacon Series annual budget and coordinate with the Finance Department throughout the year for tracking.
  
  

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of professional experience in conservation science or policy.
• Experience leading event and conference planning and implementation.
• Skill and experience in developing and maintaining relationships and networking with academics, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, private businesses and corporations, and the general public.
• Ability to distinguish among competing priorities and balance complex and demanding workloads; organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to work on multiple priority tasks concurrently.
• Skill and experience in organization and priority setting with high attention to detail.
• Fluency in computer software programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail, Asana, and databases).
• Strong oral and written communication abilities.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience focused in marine and Great Lakes fields.
  
  

Why You Will Love Us

• 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: $60,000-$68,000 annually based on experience. The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package.

Apply through the Foundation’s online portal.  A cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references are required.  Applications received by March 31st will be preferred.

 Location: Ability to work in-person at the Foundation’s Headquarters office in Silver Spring, MD with some telework options.

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The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic 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.