Director of Philanthropy

California Ocean Science Trsut (OST) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating progress towards a healthy and productive ocean future for California. Created by state legislation, OST bridges the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and sound ocean management.

OST’s strength lies in its nimble response to state priorities and horizon-scanning to foster science solutions to the challenges facing coastal communities and ocean ecosystems in California. On evolving topics as diverse as climate adaptation, plastic pollution, renewable energy, and aquaculture, OST leverages public and private funding to forge novel interdisciplinary science partnerships, encourage science co-production with communities, and build research capacity focused on California’s priorities.

It brings solution-focused science guidance to executive branch agencies and to California lawmakers and their staff. OST supports and provides graduate education opportunities at the nexus of science and policy, towards a vision of a more diverse, equitable and inclusive future workforce.

In a newly visioned position for the organization, the Director of Philanthropy will design and lead implementation of all fundraising goals and strategies, with a focus on science, education, and ocean-focused foundations, and public ocean science funders. Through a unique landscape position with built-in accountability to the state, bolstered by an agile and innovative culture, Ocean Science Trust is emerging from the COVID pandemic reaffirming the value proposition of a vibrant relationship between science and decision-makers.

The ideal candidate is inspired by the potential for philanthropy to build organizational sustainability and impact, and simultaneously advance OST’s legislative mandate to draw funding to actionable, solutions-oriented ocean science in California. OST seeks someone who is motivated by partnerships and the durable outcomes that can be realized when the public (including academic science, legislature, and government agencies) and private sectors invest in co-creating science solutions to coastal and ocean challenges.

The salary range for this position is $125,000 to $135,000 plus benefits