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Program Director, Launchpad
Ocean Visions
Operations
United States
USD 125k-165k / year
Posted on Jan 20, 2026
WHO WE ARE
Ocean Visions is a science-based, not-for-profit conservation organization launched in 2019 to develop innovative solutions to conserve and restore the ocean. We occupy a distinctive and critical role in the global response to climate change and ocean degradation. We are an ocean-focused organization working exclusively on climate disruption as the primary driver of ocean harm, and we work on systemic challenges where solutions are least developed, most complex, or politically difficult—but potentially transformative.
We work with and across diverse sectors and disciplines to identify, co-design, evaluate, and support implementation of ocean-based solutions to counter and reverse climate impacts. We provide diverse forms of support for the development, testing, and application of solutions, and for creation of the enabling social and political frameworks needed for their success. Our work is grounded in robust science, and we continually seek to improve our understanding of the complexity of the challenges posed by climate change.
Ocean Visions works on an interdependent four-part strategy to directly address the causes and impacts of climate disruption, from an ocean lens:
- REDUCE: Identify and advance high-leverage ocean-based opportunities for a just transition to a low carbon economy
- REMOVE: Identify and advance ocean-based pathways for cleaning up legacy carbon pollution from the air and ocean
- REPAIR: Identify and advance interventions to avoid catastrophic loss of critical marine ecosystems and passing of dangerous tipping points
- REACH: Support the growth of a global community to develop and advance innovative ocean-climate solutions
LAUNCHPAD
Countering the scale and pace of climate disruption will demand a rapid expansion of credible solutions. Yet many promising ideas struggle to advance beyond early stages due to technical uncertainty, limited access to expertise and infrastructure, fragmented support, and unclear pathways for research, development, and deployment. These gaps slow progress at a moment when time is a critical constraint.
Launchpad is Ocean Visions’ platform to provide targeted, interdisciplinary assistance to innovators and researchers working on underdeveloped or high uncertainty solutions, while ensuring these efforts are grounded in scientific integrity and informed consideration of environmental, social, and governance implications.
Launchpad is expanding from its original focus on marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies to provide tailored technical assistance and expert advising to early stage innovators across the Reduce, Remove, and Repair programs. Through Launchpad, Ocean Visions seeks to help advance emerging technologies, assess potential impacts, and provide interdisciplinary support for continued research, development, and potential future deployment, while generating shared learning that informs broader field-building efforts.
THIS ROLE
The Launchpad Program Director will lead Ocean Visions’ Launchpad program, with responsibility for program strategy, execution, growth, and integration across the organization. As Launchpad expands beyond its initial focus and scales across Ocean Visions’ portfolio, this role will be responsible for transforming Launchpad from a successful pilot into a durable, multi-program platform.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead the design for the expansion of the Launchpad concept to Reduce and Repair, and to enable support for individual innovators, research teams and others beyond the mCDR start-ups that have been the focus to date
- Lead implementation, and continuous improvement of the Launchpad program
- Identify, recruit, and support innovators, researchers, nonprofits, and companies working on ocean-climate solutions
- Match innovators with appropriate advisors and facilitate productive collaboration and feedback cycles
- Engage the Ocean Visions’ Network via the recruitment and expansion of a diverse group of expert advisors drawn from the Network
- Develop and manage partnerships with accelerators, incubators, funders, and other organizations offering complementary support
- Contribute to organizational strategy, learning, and fundraising related to Launchpad
- Represent Ocean Visions and Launchpad in relevant external forums and partnerships
In the first 12 months, the Launchpad Director will:
- Design and launch Launchpad support models for Reduce and Repair alongside updated support for Remove
- Establish criteria and processes for selecting innovators from varied backgrounds, including academia, non-profits, and start ups
- Recruit a deep and varied pool of expert advisors from the Ocean Visions Network and beyond
- Formalize advisor recruitment, matching, and engagement workflows
- Secure and manage at least 3 new strategic partnerships or funding relationships
The Launchpad Director will report to the Chief Program Officer (currently the CEO) and work closely with the Chief Scientist, program leaders, and cross-cutting teams.
PROFILE
The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative leader with deep experience in innovation, early-stage technology and complex program management, and a strong interest in emerging ocean–climate solutions. The candidate should be comfortable working across scientific, technical, and policy domains, able to work under uncertainty, and skilled at facilitating collaboration among diverse actors. This role requires strong judgment, excellent interpersonal skills, and a systems-level perspective, along with a commitment to advancing responsible, science-based climate solutions.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced degree (Master’s or MBA) or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as environmental science, engineering, or innovation management.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in innovation, preferably related to ocean or climate solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex programs to work on multiple initiatives at the same time.
- Strong understanding of environmental risk assessment and mitigation.
- Excellent oral and written communications
- Excellent collaborative and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other productivity tools for a collaborative, remote team.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working with start-ups, nonprofits, and/or academic research teams.
- Familiarity with a wide range of ocean-based climate solutions and associated environmental considerations.
- Comfortable making strategic decisions in areas of scientific and institutional uncertainty and taking accountability for program direction and outcomes.
- Proven track record in fundraising and stakeholder engagement.
LOCATION, HOURS, AND TRAVEL
This is a regular full-time remote position based in the United States. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and available to work standard business hours of a continental U.S. time zone. Must be willing and able to travel nationally and internationally, up to 20% time, with or without reasonable accommodation..
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this position is $125,000-$165,000, commensurate with the candidate’s specific skills, years of experience, and background. Salaries ranges at Ocean Visions are determined through market analysis updated annually to ensure that Ocean Visions remains competitive and equitable. Ocean Visions offers a competitive benefits program including dental, vision, and health insurance; 4 weeks’ paid vacation, paid sick time; funds for home office maintenance; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; parental leave; and more.
TO APPLY
Please apply by uploading your resume and cover letter. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PDT February 8th to be considered. Candidate review will begin shortly thereafter, and screening interviews will be scheduled in mid-February. Finalists will be asked to provide names and contact information for professional references.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Ocean Visions is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status.