Mandate/Core purpose of the role:
Reporting to the President & CEO of ONC, the Director of Science provides executive leadership for ONC's scientific mission, with accountability for the long-term scientific direction of the organization and the performance of the Science Services division.
The Director of Science is responsible for national and international partnerships while serving as the ONC scientific lead in the development of monitoring programs for marine protected and ocean conservation areas in collaboration with Provincial and Canadian partners. The Director leads ONC in the scientific excellence and innovative thinking necessary to maintain ONC’s leadership at the forefront of ocean observing and is the liaison with ONC’s International Science Advisory Board and with the Ocean Observatory Council.
This position is a member of ONC's Executive Team, providing Science with a formal voice in organizational strategy and decision-making. The Director ensures that scientific priorities are integrated into operational and infrastructure decisions across ONC, and that the Science Services division has the leadership, resources, and culture to deliver on ONC's mission.
This position provides counsel to the President & CEO and ONC’s Board of Directors, and reports to the ONC Board on a range of science issues and projects.
This position requires travel nationally and internationally.
Objective:
The Director of Science role involves advancing and supporting current and new scientific disciplines utilizing the ONC ocean observatories to advance scientific research in support of ONC's 2030 Strategic Plan and the goals therein. The Director reports directly to the President & CEO, provides counsel to the Board of Directors, and is a member of the Executive Team. This role is accountable for the strategic leadership and organizational health of the Science Services Division, including setting annual direction, budget and HR management, and ensuring the Science Team has the conditions to deliver on ONC's science mission. Additionally, the Director initiates and leads special projects, and mitigates operational and strategic risks by contributing scientific knowledge.
The Director will raise ONCs profile as a national and global leader in ocean observation and represents and promotes ONC science capabilities through international collaborations, at both the national and international level.
Unusual working conditions:
- The Director may be called upon to lead offshore expeditions.
- During ONC field excursions or 24/7 expeditions, the Director is required to be on call to respond to urgent matters.
- Work involves travel nationally and internationally to promote ONC, meet with stakeholders, coordinate with related projects, and explore new areas of research.
- Due to the many priorities and deadlines that the Director must accommodate in their work, a necessary high level of quality assurance, and crisis management skill is required for this position and can be a source of significant mental stress particularly in the lead up to field excursions or expeditions.
