Chief Operating Officer

NEKTON OVERVIEW

Life has evolved in the ocean for nearly 4billion years, three times longer than land. The diversity of ocean life makes all life on Earth possible – giving us air to breathe, creating food for billions, cycling and storing our carbon, regulating our climate and providing medicine to fight disease.

With over 90% of ocean life remaining unknown and 75% of the seabed still unmapped, Nekton’s mission is to advance the scientific exploration of the ocean and radically advance fundamental and applied science that helps us tackle global challenges including climate destabilisation, food insecurity, and biodiversity destruction.

The accelerating loss of ocean biodiversity drives Nekton’s urgency to discover and preserve ocean life for the generations to come. Nekton is a UK-registered charity, based in Oxford, UK.

Nekton runs a network of marine science research, expeditions / marine operations, knowledge exchange and communications initiatives for, with, and on behalf of an Alliance of 100 international partners.  Programmes include the Ocean Census, First Descent: Indian Ocean, Ocean Rising, and Yachts for Science. www.nektonmission.org

One of Nekton’s major programmes is The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census initiative, a 10-year international scientific endeavour – an endorsed Programme of the UN Ocean Decade – that aims to accelerate the discovery of ocean life and increase the equitable access to ocean life data. Launched in April 2023, the Ocean Census is an open Alliance of scientists from over 350 institutes and dozens of governments, scientific, business, technology, civil society, and philanthropic partners, uniting resources and working together to take on this global challenge. www.oceancensus.org

THE ROLE: SUMMARY

Nekton seeks a Chief Operating Officer to co-lead and implement the organisation’s strategy, operational and fiscal oversight and team management – including with science, marine operations, logistics, data, communications, finance and central operations teams along with an international alliance of science, business, government, philanthropic and civil society partners.

As Chief Operating Officer, you will manage one of the major global marine biodiversity programmes of the decade, radically advance our knowledge of ocean life, catalyse global marine conservation, inspire ocean engagement, and harness and champion equitable, international collaboration.

Experience in marine research, environment, conservation and / or marine industry is desirable but not essential and candidates from other sectors are encouraged to apply.

START: From April 1, 2025

LOCATION: Oxford HQ (with hybrid working 2-3 days per week). International travel as required.

SALARY: Competitive, from £90,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience

CONTRACT: Permanent, full time

REPORTING TO: Chief Executive

TEAM: Head of Finance & Central Operations, Principal Scientist, Head of Expeditions, Head of Communications, Head of Science (Ocean Census)

Please note: Only applicants who are eligible to work in the UK will be considered.

Applications close midnight Sunday 12^th January 2025

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Strategy Development & Operationalisation

• Provides input to the organisations strategy and vision
• Implements and operationalises the strategy, ensuring alignment with the vision (includes business strategies, plans and procedures)

External Relations

• Manages relationships with internal stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, and contractors.
• Support the CEO, together with senior management in building and maintaining relationships with key external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and government agencies and deliver on the required donor reporting together with the Senior management team.

Programme Development & Operations

• Co identify and develop with the CEO new programme initiatives ensuring alignment with the organisation’s mission and strategy.
• Leadership of the implementation and management of all programs and operations, including budgeting, staffing, legal, marine operations, administration, science, communications, and evaluation through effective oversight and management of the responsible senior management team

Financial Management

• Oversees the organization's financial strategy and budgeting, ensuring alignment with the organisational vision.
• Oversees the organization's finances, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting

Human resources

• Co-lead with the CEO on organisational structure and resource needs to ensure implementation of the strategy. Develops and implements HR strategies, including talent acquisition, retention, and development.
• Oversees all HR operations, including recruitment policies, onboarding policies, and employee relations, performance management etc.

 Fundraising

• Co-develop with the CEO, and implement fundraising strategies that enables achievement of the overall strategy and vision.
• Manages fundraising campaigns, events, and grant writing, ensuring alignment with the fundraising strategy

Advocacy & Policy

• Supports the CEO in advocacy and policy efforts, providing research, analysis, and technical expertise

Communications

• Oversees the internal and external communications strategies, including social media, marketing, and public relations and support the CEO at international events, meetings with stakeholders etc. either together or in their place.

Risk Management

• Responsible for the oversight of all aspects of risk management strategies, risk assessments, risk mitigating measures and reporting to the board.

Regulatory Requirements

• Overall responsible for all regulatory requirements. 

Governance

• Supports the CEO in governance matters, including Board relations, reporting, compliance, and risk management.

Performance Monitoring

• Co-develop with the CEO, key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring alignment with the organization's strategy.
• Develops and implements performance monitoring systems, tracking progress against KPIs and providing insights for improvement.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

ESSENTIAL:

• An individual with integrity, ethics and sustainability awareness.
• Excellent organisational and leadership abilities and strong interpersonal and communications skills.
• Competence in strategic planning, business development and regulatory issues.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience with at least 8 years in senior leadership roles in operations, human resources, and / or finance functions with a strong track record of experience in globally active non-profits.
• Demonstrated track record of expertise and excellence in operations and financial management.
• Demonstrated leadership of productive, diverse teams, with strong culture.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, decision making and problem-solving skills, especially under pressure; ability to set detailed vision and direction across large, complex sets of work.
• Strong emotional intelligence and executive leadership presence.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with all staff and stakeholders, fostering a culture of trust, effective communication, and collaboration towards achieving common goals.
• Demonstrated track record leading in a fast-paced environment and managing a team to high performance.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a commitment to preserving a bold, can-do culture that sustains the organisation’s values while pursuing its mission.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities amid ambiguity and to leverage creative thinking and resourcefulness.
• Business Management qualification and / or relevant experience as stated above.
• Proficiency in Project Management software (e.g. ASANA), Microsoft 365 with the ability to produce high quality work products in each program.
• Located in the Oxford area or have the ability to relocate, or commute for 2-3 days a week.

DESIRABLE:

• Strong experience in operational functioning of a UK Charity / non-profit
• Proven experience in the marine, science, conservation sector
• Knowledge of languages other than English.
• Project Management qualification

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position please send your CV with a cover letter explaining why you think you would be a good fit for this role to angela@nektonmission.org via the 'Apply' button (above) by midnight, Sunday 12th January 2025 quoting reference NFCOO112024.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor work visas. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.