Chief Program Officer
Aquatic Life Institute
📍 Remote (Global) 🕔 Full Time
💰$85-$105,000 USD 🔄 Rolling Applications
The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will strengthen ALI’s ability to achieve meaningful improvements for aquatic animals trapped in the global food system, by ensuring that our Managing Director (MD), leadership team, and program areas are aligned, and that ALI’s strategic priorities translate into coordinated action, clear ownership, and measurable outcomes across the organization.
The CPO will own the execution of programs and initiatives end-to-end. Candidates with initiatives and campaigns expertise might be a strong fit for this role.
Serving as the overarching connector across our programs, the CPO ensures that ALI’s program delivery creates the greatest impact possible, and is adhering to our communications, development, and metrics protocols. The CPO facilitates the flow of programmatic activity, ensuring clarity and consistency in how we work, thus enabling the MD to focus on high-value initiatives such as external relations, fundraising, and thought leadership.
The CPO reports to the MD and works closely with program leads and centers of expertise. The role holds primary execution decision-making authority within approved scope and budget to achieve agreed outcomes.
This is a remote position and successful candidates' working times should be compatible with US EST or PST time zones. Some travel is required for team retreats and key conferences.
What does success in this role look like?
Success in this role looks like strong cross-team coordination, clear alignment with annual OKRs, and shared clarity around priorities across the organisation. Internal communication is consistent and strategically aligned, with activities well scheduled and plans visible to the team. External relationships and partnerships are well coordinated and functioning effectively, enabling smooth collaboration beyond the organisation. The Managing Director is well supported and able to focus their time on external impact, while organisational activities, KPIs, and deliverables are clearly tracked and monitored. Decision-making is confident, well informed, and consistently helps move the organisation forward.
What will this role be responsible for?
Executive Support & Strategic Alignment
Clear ownership, visibility and delivery of programs and campaigns.
Progress against defined objectives and milestones with fast & quality decision making.
Drive the activities of the programs team to deliver the strategic plan and program outcomes.
Partner closely with the Managing Director on scheduling, strategic planning cycles, preparation for key engagements, and organizational focus.
Support the development, articulation, and refinement of mission, strategy, and organizational priorities.
Lead the preparation of briefs, materials, and content for various external meetings, presentations, and board-related activities.
Organizational Coordination & Cross-Team Collaboration
Coordinate activity across program areas to ensure alignment, effective planning and delivery, maximum impact, and reduce duplication.
Facilitate external coordination and execution through our alliances and partnerships.
Serve as the central connector across program teams who can surface dependencies, facilitate communication and planning, and ensure information flows smoothly.
Track organizational commitments, upcoming milestones, and cross-functional activity.
Brief internal stakeholders ahead of key meetings, decisions, or organizational events.
Manage, develop and assess the performance of program teams, and ensure team members are effectively equipped to deliver on ALI’s mission.
Project Management & Operational Excellence
Implement and maintain project management standards across the organization.
Lead or support internal initiatives that enhance structure, clarity, and execution.
Identify and introduce best practices, tools, and process improvements.
Manage internal calendars and assess capacity considerations to ensure commitments are delivered on time.
Communication, Information Flow & Team Support
Support relationship management with external stakeholders to achieve organizational objectives, as well as lead external stakeholder engagement where direct authority does not exist.
Keep the Managing Director informed of key activities, risks, and emerging issues across programs.
Provide first-level support for internal team needs, questions, and requests, thus reducing the Managing Directors operational load.
Facilitate regular internal communications including status updates, organizational reminders, and cross-team summaries.
Draft or coordinate internal communications and documentation as needed.
Anticipation, Problem-Solving & Future Planning
Proactively identify programmatic needs, risks, or bottlenecks—and propose solutions.
Anticipate future demands on the Managing Director and team; create systems that support smoother decision-making and prioritization.
Conduct light research, synthesis, or analysis to support decision-making.
Model the organization’s values of courage, respect, and knowledge in approach and behavior.
Requirements
Who would this be a good opportunity for?
This role is ideal for someone who:
Has extensive campaign and management experience.
Thrives in an environment where coordination, clarity, and systems-thinking are essential.
Has strong experience in project management, program delivery, executive support, or strategic planning.
Is skilled at facilitating communication, navigating ambiguity, and supporting diverse teams.
Demonstrates judgment and discretion, with the ability to make complex and informed decisions.
Brings a warm, professional, partnership-centered approach that feels supportive—not hierarchical.
Values courage, respect, and knowledge, and wants to apply those values to meaningful work.
Has excellent organizational, interpersonal, and writing skills.
Is able to work primarily within North America time zones to support close collaboration with senior leadership and stakeholders
Desired Experience & Skills
Experience supporting senior leadership in nonprofits, advocacy, public affairs, or mission-driven organizations.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, coordinate teams, or run organizational processes.
Strong communication skills and ability to brief senior leaders.
Familiarity with project management tools and systems.
Experience in animal advocacy, environmental organizations, or policy contexts.
Experience engaging with external stakeholders in a professional setting.
Comfort working in a fast-moving, growth-stage environment.
Inclusion Statement
We strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and harassment-free environment where everyone feels valued and supported to do their best work. If you are interested in this role but do not meet every requirement listed, we still encourage you to apply.
Benefits
What you can expect from us
Salary: $85,000-$105,000 USD
Work Environment: Remote from home office; some travel required for retreats or conferences.
Professional Development: Opportunities for learning, growth, and skills development aligned with organizational values
What you can expect during the recruitment process
Step 1: Apply via the link below and complete a short set of preliminary questions
Step 2: Our team will review all applications
Step 3: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial screening interview
Step 4: Selected candidates will progress to further interviews with the hiring team
A note about our commitment to privacy. PEPR is managing the recruitment process for the position of : Chief Program Officer on behalf of Aquatic Life Institute. The information provided by an individual applying for this position will be shared by PEPR with Aquatic Life Institute solely for the purposes of this recruitment process. For more information on how PEPR handles personal data, please review our Privacy Notice. For more information on how Aquatic Life Institute handles personal data, please review the Privacy Policy.
