Associate Director of Conservation Partnerships

Associate Director of Conservation Partnerships

Norwalk, Connecticut

The Maritime Aquarium's mission is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For 37 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium hosts nearly 450,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals. Altogether, the Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 50,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 85 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff, in addition to our volunteers.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director of Conservation Partnerships plays a central role in the success of the Aquarium's Conservation department, with the responsibility of building and managing a network of collaborative relationships across Long Island Sound (and beyond) in support of our work. In this role, the Associate Director will serve as a key link between the work of the department and that of the region, ensuring alignment between departmental, institutional, and broader collaborative goals. The Associate Director will work closely with the VP of Conservation and Director of Research to set program objectives to meet institutional goals as articulated in the Conservation Action Plan and in support more broadly of the Aquarium's strategic plan, An Aquarium Without Walls. The ideal candidate will have exceptional "people skills," be adept at fostering strong relationships with partners, be able to navigate complicated relationships and situations, and be a skilled communicator. Importantly, the Associate Director must also have a strong background in ecology and conservation and be able to represent the details of the project portfolio to various audiences.

Reports To: Vice President of Conservation

Salary Range for this role: $80,000 - $84,000

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plays a critical role in the management and cultivation of external partners in close coordination with the VP of Conservation
• Represents the Aquarium at external meetings and events such as committees, coalitions, and work groups, research collaborations, and conferences at the direction of the VP
• Supervises the department's grants team and supports them in relationships with sub-awardees and other grant partners to ensure positive, productive, and timely adherence to grant-funded project goals and deliverables
• Support the research team in management of relationships within specific projects, including participating in standing project team meetings
• Work closely with the Director of Research and VP on new project development, ensuring alignment between internal goals, maintenance of strong partner relationships
• Contribute to writing of reports and publications
• Prepare and deliver public presentations at community events and scientific conferences
• Mentor and supervise the department grants team (2 positions), including 1 direct report
• Support Conservation staff on overall program implementation as needed, including participating in field and lab research when needed

QUALIFICATIONS

5+ years of relevant experience required Bachelor's degree in ecology or related field required; Advanced degree strongly preferred Previous field research experience required Project and people management experience required Prior experience working at a non-profit/with grant-funded projects preferred Excellent written and oral communication skills required Excellent organization skills required Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook) required

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. This posting is scheduled to remain open until June 5, 2026.

The Maritime Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.