The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF) has worked to protect the state's coastal ecosystems while strengthening coastal resilience since 1995. In collaboration with a variety of local communities, including government agencies, tribal communities, harbors and marinas, and NGOs, we focus on five thematic areas: water quality protection, marine resource protection, coastal restoration, climate change mitigation, and community engagement. We strive to engage stakeholders, members of the public, and experts in these areas to identify and implement practical and effective solutions to reduce human impacts on and increase the resiliency of California’s coastal resources.

CMSF works in close partnership with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). MBNMS is one of our nation's largest marine sanctuaries, encompassing more than 6,000 square miles of central California coastal waters that contain a rich array of habitats and marine life. CMSF and MBNMS collaborate to protect these natural resources through research and education to foster public understanding and stewardship of this important marine area.For more information about our collective work please visit: https://www.californiamsf.org/‍‍

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About the Program

‍The global shipping industry utilizes a fleet of over 5,000 container ships to transport approximately 90%  of the world’s goods, valued at over $13 trillion annually. Maritime trade continues to grow and play an important role in the global economy, but not without environmental impacts. Shipping activity is endangering blue, humpback, and fin whales in the form of ship strikes, exacerbating air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and elevating ocean noise.

In 2014, a unique partnership of federal and state agencies, nonprofits, environmental consultants, and foundations launched Protecting Blue Whales Blue Seas (BWBS) to address these environmental impacts.BWBS is an incentive-based Vessel Speed Reduction program that works with large maritime shipping companies to reduce the speeds of their vessels in key geographic areas off the coast of California - an approach that has been shown to reduce ship strike risk, emission of air pollutants, and ocean noise. Since the program’s inception, it has resulted in over 500,000 slow-speed miles and over 75,000 metric tons of regional greenhouse gas emission reductions.BWBS has experienced steady growth over the past five years with over 30 shipping lines representing ~90% of the container traffic to the West Coast participating. However, public awareness of the biodiversity impacts of shipping, and of whale strikes in particular, remains low. To date, shipping lines lack the demand signal from their customers (corporate cargo owners) that could motivate even greater cooperation with these vital whale conservation measures.In March of 2022, BWBS launched its Ambassador Initiative intending to raise awareness of the program and its benefits across supply chains and among corporate cargo owners. By engaging this target audience and harnessing the power of consumer concern, the program aims to create a sustained incentive for shipping lines and vessel operators to reduce the speeds of their ships. To date, ten brands or groups have signed on to be BWBS ambassadors.

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About the Role

‍The primary function of this role is to lead and further develop the Ambassador Initiative, expand awareness of the BWBS program and increase its conservation benefits. The Corporate Engagement Manager will focus on meaningfully engaging additional key stakeholders, most notably large-scale corporate brands or cargo owners (shippers). Reporting to CMSF’s  Marine Resource Protection Program Director and working in collaboration with the BWBS partnership, the duties of the Corporate Engagement Manager will include:

• Cultivating strong relationships with current Ambassadors
• Identifying, engaging, and recruiting retail and manufacturing companies utilizing shipping lines. to transport goods to the West Coast.
• Soliciting and recruiting new Ambassadors.
• Representing and promoting the Ambassador Initiative in relevant forums, like trade and   Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) conferences.
• Coordinate with BWBS partners to help prepare communication materials and draft press releases.
• Collaborate with BWBS partners to coordinate public recognition efforts for program participants and program Ambassadors.
• Oversee and create content for the program’s LinkedIn and website pages.
• Support other duties, as assigned.

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About You

‍CMSF is looking for candidates who may come from a variety of backgrounds and/or have experience of which we are unfamiliar. We encourage you to apply even if you do not have all these desired qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required
• Minimum of 5 years progressive experience in Corporate, Social, Responsibility and/or Environmental, Social, and Corporate governance (ESG) sector
• Demonstrated understanding of issues and concerns surrounding supply chains; understanding of maritime trade desirable, but not required
• Strong independent research skills
• Strong interest in environmental and marine conservation efforts
• Excellent communication skills, including presentation, verbal, and written
• Ability to establish strong relationships at all levels and across functions both  externally and internally
• Strong collaborative mindset

• Personal commitment to progressive social and environmental change
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically approximately 3 days/month

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Compensation & Benefits

‍This is a full-time 40 hours/week, 3-year funded position with a salary range of $90,000 to $110,000, based on experience. CMSF provides a benefits package including vacation, paid holidays and sick leave, medical and dental benefits, and a 403(b)(7) deferred retirement plan.

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Location

This position is US-based, fully remote, and requires a home office with a reliable internet connection. CMSF can provide funding assistance for standard office equipment (i.e. computer, monitors, desk) if needed.  Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

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‍To Apply

‍CEA Recruiting is assisting CMSF with this search. To be considered for this position, interested candidates must click here to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements through CEA’s job portal. Please direct all applications and inquiries to Eileen Ashton, Search Lead. This position will remain open until filled.

‍Diversity Statement‍

‍CMSF is committed to dismantling the longstanding racial, gender, and socio-economic boundaries that exist in the field of environmental conservation. When bringing on new staff and interns, we adhere to equitable recruiting policies and promote anti-discrimination within our work and with our partners in the local and conservation communities. We acknowledge that environmental conservation is woven with rich diversity including Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge and we will do our best to amplify all the voices that contribute to conservation. Lastly, we commit to continued listening and learning, adapting to the needs of our community, and being inclusive.