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Project Director Coastal Ecosystems
Coastal Quest
Berkeley, CA, USA
USD 95k-135k / year
Posted on May 30, 2026
Organization: Coastal QuestPosition Type: Full-timeLocation: San Diego, CA at Coastal Quest office Organization Description:Coastal Quest is a 501(c)3 nonprofit working collaboratively with communities to build a more resilient coast by increasing inclusive, science-based planning, governance, financing, and project implementation for a just, prosperous, and sustainable future. Coastal Quest works around the world, from white water to blue water, on lakes and shorelines, and at the land-water connection. We provide project management, science and technical expertise, connect partners with financial and human resources, contract management, grantmaking, and facilitate public-private partnerships. We are purposefully nimble, designed to solve multifaceted and complex coastal issues. We are here to achieve resilience goals, reduce threats, and implement solutions. Essential Functions:The coastal ecosystems focused Director will provide support for Coastal Quest’s work to achieve our two goals – 1) build multi-benefit solutions for healthy and resilient coasts and 2) increase coastal resiliency for vulnerable communities and economies. The Director will support projects focused on building community-driven resilient coastal ecosystems and nature-based solutions. The Director will lead and deliver on work – in coordination with the Coastal Quest team and our partners – to strengthen capacity and enhance coastal management for people, nature, and climate.The Director will lead and support the Organization as we grow and build innovative programs that tell compelling stories and enhance our impact in the coastal and climate space. This role involves overseeing and implementing existing projects and partnerships, and is anticipated to spend ~50% time leading and working with the California State Parks San Diego Coast District to deliver adaptation planning solutions, including coastal ecosystem restoration, and nature-based and grey-green climate adaptation projects for public access and park infrastructure. In addition, the Director will lead other projects in Southern California, and work with the Coastal Quest team, Fiscally Sponsored Projects, and partners to develop and grow new projects to achieve our goals. The role presents an exciting opportunity to build out Coastal Quest’s physical presence and on-the-ground work in Southern California.The Director will establish and staff Coast Quest’s new office in San Diego and be a representative for Coastal Quest, as well as oversee and work on a wide range of projects and programs for the organization. The Director will need excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously. Although this position works on cross-cutting coastal issues, expertise in project management for design and implementation projects, coastal permitting, procurement (especially for public projects), construction contracting, familiarity working in coastal habitats with sensitive species, climate adaptation and resilience, water quality, protection, community engagement, and other areas related to coastal solutions is valued.The Director has outstanding leadership and development skills and the desire to help grow our team. They flourish in a collaborative, solutions-oriented, and nimble working environment and thrive in a position with a wide variety of partners, clients, projects, and job responsibilities. The main duties of the Director include, but are not limited to:Programmatic Partner and Grant Management- Performing partner and program/project area oversight (including scoping, work planning, and budgeting).- Managing programs and projects and ensuring delivery on time and budget.- Performing project tasks such as designing and running workshops and webinars; engaging communities and California Tribes; managing grant programs; developing planning documents; research and writing; and overseeing and providing technical assistance with partners.- Presenting project findings and/or performing technical facilitation to various stakeholder groups, both informally and formally.- Performing and coordinating QA/QC to ensure that the quality of deliverables are of the consistently high standard necessary to show achievement when reporting on grant goals, targets, and deliverables and to obtain more funding.- Contract and grant management, government invoicing, reporting and oversight (in close coordination with the Finance Department). Staff Development and Management- Managing and developing junior- and mid-level staff to deliver programs and projects on time and budget.- Coordinating with Finance and Operations on project operational needs and with Communications and Outreach on community and partner engagement and education needs.- Demonstrating leadership and upholding Coastal Quest’s core values. Development- Work and project planning and implementation.- Growing and managing program areas and team.- Developing and achieving financial and fundraising development targets.- Cultivating new donors and project opportunities, including fiscally sponsored projects.- Developing and implementing winning proposals and reporting on impact.- Representing Coastal Quest at meetings and providing thought leadership.- Establishing and maintaining relationships with various organizations and utilizing those relationships to strategically enhance Coastal Quest’s Mission. Organizational Development- Supporting the Executive Director and other team members in developing culture and implementing systems to professionalize and scale organization.- Supporting the Communications Department with content and input (as needed).- Building a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within programs and at the organizational scale. Primary Responsibilities:- Provide leadership, subject matter expertise and project management support for complex climate resilience and adaptation projects to drive successful technical grant proposals and coordinate successful cross-sector partnerships and engagement with and across cities, counties, tribes, public agencies, non-profits, community-based organizations, and communities in need of environment and climate justice.- Write technical grant proposals on behalf of public and non-profit partners, drive budget development, coordinate multiple simultaneous proposals, package and submit grant proposals, and perform post-award agreement functions.- Develop workplans and guide and manage multiple grant proposals, projects and workstreams with the ability to work independently, set deadlines for team and partners, manage relationships with care, and ensure personal accountability.- Ensure programmatic commitments, policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed.- Provide fundraising, program, and administrative technical assistance and capacity building support for a wide range of partners and fiscally sponsored projects. Qualifications:- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.- Strong facilitation and conflict management skills; experience working with diverse stakeholders.- Strong demonstrated project and contract management skills.- Experience winning and managing large public grants.- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated partnership building skills.- Strong experience leading complex projects and diverse partners through project development.- Proven track record of coordinating and writing winning grant proposals, putting together workplans, managing multiple workstreams, delivering programs, and reporting.- Subject matter expertise in climate resilience topics and sectors (e.g., ecosystems, built environment, air and water quality, disaster resilience, wildfire management, etc.).- Strong experience with drafting contracts and grant agreements and management.- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and basic statistical functions in Excel).- Self-starter with ability to balance competing priorities and deadlines; sound judgment and problem-solving skills.- Analytical, strategic, and creative approach to problem solving.- Ability to produce products in a timely fashion through collaborative processes.- Experience helping teams organize, track, and manage work through work planning.- Experience in manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting financial data. Knowledge and Experience:- Interdisciplinary training in natural and social science, resource conservation and management, and/or policy. PhD with at least 7 years of relevant experience or Masters/MBA with at least 10 years of relevant experience.- Critical analytical thinking, quantitative and analytical skills, problem-solving, and adaptability; significant area of expertise related to Coastal Quest programs and strategies.- Experience managing complex projects or multiple projects and timelines, including workloads, contracts, budgets, and finances under deadlines.- Experience running and facilitating meetings.- Experience researching, critically analyzing, and evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into cohesive reports and recommendations.- Experience in partnership development with Tribal nations, business, nonprofit partners, community groups, and/or government agencies.- Demonstrated experience writing winning proposals and reporting on impact.- Applicable experience with grants and contract management.- Experience using accounting and financial reporting systems.- Experience with government regulations related to grants and contracts.- Experience, coursework, or other training with U.S. Federal Uniform Guidance, state and local regulations, and standard contract clauses.- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated. Application Instructions:Please submit a resume along with the following in 1 PDF to info@coastal-quest.org:- 1 page cover letter and resume- 1 writing sample- 3 references Salary: $95,000-$135,000 depending on qualifications and experienceBenefits: Competitive package, including health, eye, dental, 401k, paid time off, holidays and sick leaveClosing Date: Open until filled and start reviewing resumes June 5, 2026Location: San Diego, CA in-person office hours expected with travel across region and to Coastal Quest headquarters in Oakland, CA.