Vice President, Research and Environment

The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) is the world-leading science and advocacy organization focused on the study and conservation of wild Atlantic salmon. Represented at prominent forums, ASF is a family of more than 25,000 members and volunteers passionate about conserving and restoring wild Atlantic salmon. ASF conducts research on wild salmon throughout the North Atlantic, performs complex river restoration projects, and advocates for legislation that will help to protect wild Atlantic salmon.

With a newly established and ambitious strategic plan, coupled with the implementation of a comprehensive conservation and fundraising campaign, ASF is primed to achieve its goal of being the global leader in wild Atlantic Salmon conservation and applied research. During this exciting time of limitless opportunity and discovery, the ASF team is searching for its next Vice President, Research and Environment to lead their dynamic research team.

Key Responsibilities/ What Does This Role Entail?

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, and as an integral member of the ASF leadership team, the Vice President, Research and Environment plays a critical role in the strategic advancement of research programs aligned with ASF’s mission to conserve and protect wild Atlantic salmon and their ecosystems and provide scientific research and advice to support ASF’s advocacy efforts and policy development.

The Vice President will be responsible for building and leading the Research and Environment department, providing vision, direction, and leadership to the team, overseeing departmental operations, strategically identifying and executing research opportunities, and overseeing the effective delivery of ASF’s research programs. Additionally, the Vice President, Research and Environment will be instrumental in building and cultivating strategic partnerships, promoting research programs to stakeholders and donors, and effectively bolstering ASF’s research agenda on an international scale to ensure ASF remains at the forefront of global trends in Atlantic salmon, fisheries, and climate change research.

Ideal Candidate Profile

As the ideal candidate, you are a highly credible, visionary leader with a passion for the conservation and protection of the world’s ecosystems. Along with a minimum of a master’s degree in science, you bring experience in research leadership roles, providing vision, strategic direction and oversight for research programs and initiatives. As a demonstrated leader of teams, you have provided operational support for the day-to-day activities of a department or organization and are able to translate strategy into actionable tasks effectively. Ideally, you have a strong understanding of trends in ecology and conservation with experience in the context of freshwater of marine ecology considered an asset.

Trust, empathy, and transparency are hallmarks of your leadership style. Through a genuine approach and skillful communication, you ensure meaningful connections are built and maintained by nurturing collaboration and partnerships within the team, with the board, committees, government representatives, and key external research partners. With an analytical mindset, you feel at ease in a data-driven, research environment – this mindset allows you to effectively engage in informed decision-making and to distill complex, technical information into easily digestible and communicable pieces. Most importantly, you are passionate about conservation and protection of the world’s ecosystems and deeply believe in ASF’s mission and vision and the critical role they play in the protection and restoration of the wild Atlantic Salmon population.

How to Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this exciting opportunity, please apply online by clicking "Apply Now" on the button below. For more information or to ask any questions, please contact Alyssa Fleming at afleming@kbrs.ca, Katherine Risley at krisley@kbrs.ca, or Erin MacDonald at emacdonald@kbrs.ca.

Diversity and Accessibility Statement

ASF is committed to being an organization where diversity and different perspectives are valued. They strive to be an organization that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the communities and organizations they serve and encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of a traditionally marginalized community.

KBRS will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that considers an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to our team.