Campaigns Director

Campaigns Director (Maternity Cover up to 12months)

Are you an experienced ocean leader?

• Are you passionate about protecting and restoring the ocean?
• Do you have significant experience of developing and directing impactful ocean and policy change campaigns?
• Do you have a strong understanding of role of campaigning and mobilising communities in helping to shift the power to others to create change?
• Do you have a track record in campaigning for environmental protections?
• Do you have a track record of delivering campaign goals and demonstrating the impact of campaigns?
• Are you an accomplished team leader, with an ability to inspire and bring out the best in everyone?
• Do you want to join one of the world’s most effective marine conservation organisations?

Oceana UK

Oceana is dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale. We are a leader in science-based advocacy, and we campaign for policies to make the world’s oceans more abundant, vibrant, and biodiverse. Globally, Oceana has won more than 275 policy victories for marine life and habitats. From stopping bottom trawling in sensitive habitat areas to protecting sea turtles from commercial fishing gear, our victories represent new hope for the world's oceans.

Oceana is now focused on some of the biggest threats facing UK seas, alongside climate change. Fighting habitat destruction, stopping industrial overfishing, and preventing new offshore oil and gas developments with their inextricable link to the climate crisis.

The UK registered charity has a vision for thriving seas around the UK, using highly visible campaigns and detailed policy interventions to secure measurable changes to rebuild and maintain ocean abundance and health. Oceana UK will act as a vital public-policy interface – raising the profile of our issues through campaigns, science, communications, and expeditions, and influencing policymakers directly for commitments at key moments throughout the year.

Job Purpose

The Campaigns Director will work to ensure that we meet our UK campaign goals for Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Fisheries, and Offshore Oil and Gas. The position will be based in Oceana’s office in Paddington, London. Occasional travel will be required to meet team members and stakeholders in geographically diverse locations.

Reporting to the Executive Director, and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, you will inspire and help to equip your colleagues with the tools, knowledge, and approach to be effective changemakers. You will lead the Campaigns team (4 direct and 1 indirect reports working across campaigns, policy, research and public affairs) to ensure that we deliver and impactful political change campaigns.

Eligible candidates should be strategic and proactive, with experience of leading teams to deliver campaign goals. They should be confident to coordinate the annual strategic planning cycles, comfortable to oversee multiple projects, and enthusiastic in response to the changing demands of leading in a small team.

Role Overview:

• Work as part of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to decision making and overall progress towards organisational goals.
• Help to lead the London office providing direction and guidance and promoting a positive working culture with other members of the team.
• Manage and support the campaigns team of 5, helping to build, coach and lead a high-performing team.
• Oversee all projects across the campaigns team including (but not limited to) campaign actions, research, consultation responses, and potential legal challenges.  Monitor progress against plans and ensure effective delivery of campaign objectives.
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Leadership Team and global team members on the strategic development and innovation of campaigns, reviewing and setting annual plans and longer term goals.
• Provide strategic insight on how to leverage opportunities for the greatest impact, particularly set against political and news cycles.
• Develop and communicate a compelling campaign vision and strategy to Oceana staff, supporters, donors, and allies.
• Ensure that Oceana staff at any level of the organization, have a clear understanding of our campaign strategy and the theory of change behind it.
• Oversee funder and supporter reporting goals in a timely and accurate way.
• Draft periodic reporting documents to update Oceana’s board about UK campaign goals and milestones.
• Regularly review the ocean conservation space, threats and opportunities coming from other NGOs, to ensure Oceana UK continually strengthens our sector position, media voice, and impact.
• Understand the latest digital campaigning tools and work closely with the communications director and team to drive supporter engagement and action.
• Grow a broad network of allies, experts, and high-level contacts.
• Represent the organization publicly, including through media interviews, speaking events, and writing.
• Ensure a strong commitment to the organisation's values and vision, as set out by Oceana globally.   
• Work closely with communications team colleagues to ensure our campaigning priorities are effectively reflected as part of our wider offer to supporters.
• Build Oceana UK’s supporter base through effective campaigns.
• Oversee management of campaign and policy budget lines, including forecasting and annual budget setting.

This role will be based in our Paddington, London office three days per week (Tues-Thurs) with two days home working (Mon and Fri).  It reports to the Executive Director.

Candidate Requirements

Education and work experience:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in campaigning, ideally in oceans or the environment.
• Experience operating as part of a Leadership Team in a similar organisation.
• Experience line managing multiple reports.
• Experience leading and developing campaign strategic plans and annual detailed plans and budgets.
• Experience working closely and collaboratively with policy and communications colleagues.
• Experience lobbying and negotiating with civil servants in government on policy matters.
• Experience commissioning, managing and analysing complex research projects and ensuring their application to policy work and/or campaign delivery.

Skills and knowledge:

• Familiarity with fisheries or marine and environmental regulations, legislation and policies in the UK, as well as with the key institutions and decision-making processes.
• Excellent relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong project management skills, with demonstrable experience managing multiple workstreams effectively.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organise, analyse, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to speak confidently in the media and at events.
• Integrity and the ability to work with confidential information with discretion.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to robust and credible research outputs.
• A commitment to ethical research principles.
• Prioritising skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, projects, and timelines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff and other organisations.

Equal Opportunities

Oceana UK is committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the community it serves at all levels of the organisation. We therefore welcome applications from all backgrounds and all sections of the community. All offers of employment are conditional upon the successful completion of reference checks and a criminal background check.

Click on the 'Apply on website' button to be redirected to our recruitment platform. 

• Application Deadline: 7 April 2024.
• Interviews: w/c 22 April 2024.
• Start Date: 3 June 2024.