CALIFORNIA OCEAN SCIENCE TRUST
DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY

 
 

Click on the link below for the full opportunity description:

OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

THIS POSITION IS REMOTE AND REQUIRES CALIFORNIA RESIDENCY. THE ROLE REQUIRES OCCASIONAL TRAVEL FOR TEAM MEETINGS AND TRAVEL AS NECESSARY FOR DONOR MEETINGS.

POSITION OVERVIEW
In a newly visioned position for the organization, the Director of Philanthropy will lead the design and implementation of a forward-looking revenue/resource growth strategy for Ocean Science Trust to both build organizational sustainability and expand our mission impact in drawing funding to actionable, solutions-oriented ocean science in California. 

Ocean Science Trust operates at the nexus of science, government, and society, and holds the responsibility to serve as trusted science advisors on coast and ocean issues in California. The Director of Philanthropy is motivated by partnerships and the durable outcomes that can be realized when the public and private sectors co-invest in creating science solutions to coastal and ocean challenges. Political savvy and the ability to build nonpartisan and cross-sectoral trusted relationships will be essential to success. The Director of Philanthropy will bring an understanding of how science and technology function in the public and private sectors, and how the landscape of science funding is shifting, especially in the environmental, ocean, climate, and higher education fields. 

With a new 2026-2030 strategic direction and growing organizational standing and visibility in the ocean science-policy sector, Ocean Science Trust is positioned to evolve from exclusive focus on small grant- and contract-funded nonprofit activities to also function as a financial trust, with competency in stewarding public and private resources for mission advancement. As the U.S. national science funding landscape faces ongoing turbulence and academic science itself faces a reckoning of identity and purpose, this is an exciting and critical moment to leverage our position in the state and our west coast regional partnerships and pursue new strategies for growing investments in ocean and coastal science and technology. The Director of Philanthropy is an entrepreneurial and highly strategic operator who can identify, scope, and pursue opportunities to build the ocean science research funds stewarded by Ocean Science Trust. Currently OST has a $13.5M investment portfolio providing foundational core support and the opportunity for strategic expansion in new public-private partnerships. We seek a Director of Philanthropy who understands the cultures and motivations of the public and private sectors to be able to align interests and grow joint investments.  

In tandem with a new strategic direction, we have launched the SeaChange Scholar Fund, a program to strengthen the bridge between academia and ocean resource management through direct financial support to graduate students. The Director of Philanthropy will lead design and execution of our efforts to grow this fund, both to enable direct disbursements to students in the near-term and towards longer-range fund sustainability goals. Currently we are seeking founding donors to build momentum and planning towards larger gifts and partnerships to meet a fundraising goal of $5M by 2030.

These next years will be an exciting period of maturation—with complex and multi-layered organizational investments and revenue sources and maturing programmatic functions and personnel structure. The Director of Philanthropy is adept at balancing near-term revenue needs and realities with the pursuit of longer-range goals to smoothly transition the organization's revenue portfolio from a grant-based model to sustained institutional sources. 

SALARY/BENEFITS

  • Salary Range: $160,000 - $175,000

  • OST offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that supports employees’ health, financial well-being, and work–life balance. Benefits include robust healthcare coverage, retirement savings with an employer match, generous paid time off and holidays (including a paid year-end office closure), and a monthly cell phone and internet stipend. Combined with family-friendly, flexible schedules, the total package is designed to support employees in balancing meaningful work with their lives outside of work.

LOCATION
Remote, must be in California

YOU ARE… an entrepreneurial and results-oriented leader whose passion for Ocean Science Trust’s science mission is matched by political savvy and strong tactical leadership, outstanding interpersonal skills, strategic decision-making in the face of complex challenges, and a proven track record of fundraising and external relations.

OCEAN SCIENCE TRUST DEI STATEMENT
Serving one of the most diverse states in the country, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and access are central values to our organizational philosophy and imperative to the most successful expression of our mission. We are committed to cultivating a work environment where staff from all backgrounds and identities feel a sense of belonging and can thrive.

TO APPLY
For more information, or to apply for the Director of Philanthropy position, please upload your resume and cover letter here. All applications will be kept confidential, and every applicant will receive a response.