Senior Program Manager

Location: North America, Europe, or Latin America, with a strong preference for +/-5 hours Eastern Standard Time

Location type: Remote

Reporting to: Director

Annual salary: $160K - $180K USD, Geographic differential will be applied based on the location of hire. Candidates must have the right to work in the country from which they are applying.

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: Full-time

Candidate level: Experienced Non-manager

Closing date: Monday 16^th February 2026, 9:00 am CET

Background
The Bloomberg Ocean Fund (the Fund) is the regranting partner of Bloomberg Ocean Initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies’ effort to conserve and protect the world’s oceans – and strengthen the health and resilience of the communities that depend on them. The Fund is responsible for delivering impact and progress toward the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative goals and specializes in impactful regranting, innovative strategy development, and partner coordination. The Fund also manages and implements the Joint 30x30 Funding Initiative (JTTFI), which supports ambitious and inclusive efforts to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30x30). The Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA).

The Fund is recruiting a Senior Program Manager to develop, coordinate, and implement a high impact portfolio of grants and partnerships for the Fund and JTTFI.

Purpose of role
The Senior Program Manager will develop and oversee a strategic portfolio of grants and partnerships to advance critical marine conservation and protection outcomes. The role will focus on two primary thematic areas: (1) advancing inclusive and equitable approaches to conserve and protect marine areas and biodiversity within national waters to support the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30x30), and (2) improving fisheries transparency policies at national and international scales to address overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

As a key member of a small, collaborative team with additional thematic coverage across coral reefs, the High Seas, and operations, the Senior Program Manager will lead the full lifecycle of grantmaking activities, including project scoping, development, monitoring, and evaluation. The Manager will build and maintain strategic government and non-government partnerships aligned with global and regional campaigns, advocacy initiatives, communications efforts, and major international convenings to maximize impact. This role provides direct support to donors to the Fund and JTTFI.

The Manager will play a vital role in updating and maintaining grantmaking and impact strategies for the 30x30 and transparency portfolios, working in close coordination with program colleagues, thought leaders, and partner organizations, including Oceans 5 and other donors and funds. The role requires confident engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across philanthropy, the non-profit sector, and government, leveraging existing networks to implement a global strategy that is firmly rooted in local and national relevance and impact.

Responsibilities

Identify new grantmaking opportunities, consistent with funding strategies, objectives, and criteria.
Work with prospective grantees and other partners to develop outcome-based and impactful projects.
Build and maintain an international network of professional and collegial relationships with senior government officials, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, think tanks, and other stakeholders.
Conduct oversight and monitoring of current and future grants.
Assist grantees in meeting their goals and objectives and adapting to changing political and organizational circumstances.
Organize meetings with grantees, donors, government officials, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders.
Integrate outcome-based grantmaking and strategic communications, coordinating with BOF’s communications lead to increase impact.
Develop reports and presentations for donors.
Support donors as necessary, including accompanying them on site visits.
Develop and maintain broad knowledge, as well as subject matter expertise, of the science, policies, and politics of 30x30, fishing transparency, and ocean conservation issues globally.
Update and maintain grants on the Fund’s online portal.
Understand and support the Fund’s policies and approaches, including assistance with media outreach, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, security, and ethics.
Comfortably work across multiple time zones, which may require occasional meetings outside of standard business hours.
Organize site visits and travel, including to remote areas lacking amenities, to meet with existing and prospective grantees and partners. Travel estimate is roughly 20%.

Experience

Bachelor’s degree required. Graduate degree in law, public affairs, public policy, or environmental science preferred.
A minimum of ten years of directly related professional experience in the environment, conservation, natural resources, or public policy arena. Experience with ocean and marine conservation issues and professional advocacy/outreach is preferred.
Proven project-management skills, including the ability to handle several projects at different stages simultaneously and a strong capacity to set priorities and identify resources.
Self-starter and team player, with the ability to balance independent and collaborative approaches, effective communications a must.
Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with attention to detail and an ability to write clearly and cogently for internal audiences, policy makers, the media, and the public.
Experienced and confident in public speaking across a variety of audiences.
Proficiency in English. At least one other official United Nations language proficiency is preferred.
Strong interpersonal skills, ability to develop and manage productive relationships with colleagues, consultants, and coalition partners.
Exhibit strong skills of diplomacy with seasoned and sound judgment. Ability to work productively and build consensus and collaboration with a wide array of different people and institutions.
Knowledge and demonstrated proficiency in the use of software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and ability to learn or use technology for reports, meetings, and grants management (Google Suite, Zoom, Monday.com, etc.).

Terms and conditions
RPA is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

RPA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including health coverage, retirement benefits, paid sick leave, vacation and holidays, commensurate with experience, accomplishment, and regional markets and statutes. Geographic differential will be applied based on the location of hire.

Candidates must have the right to work in the country from which they are applying.

If you have any questions about the role or organization and would like an informal chat ahead of submitting a formal application, please reach out to Ruth Gardner at ruth@upsallinternational.com. To note: in order to keep your application safe and ensure your data is GDPR compliant, applications will not be accepted via email.

· The deadline for applications is Monday 16^th February 2026, 9:00 am CET·

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Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.