Alaska SeaLife Center | Executive Vice President | Seward, AK

About the Organization
The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is Alaska's premier marine research, education, and wildlife response institution. Located on the shores of Resurrection Bay in Seward, Alaska, ASLC combines world-class scientific research, marine wildlife rehabilitation, public education, and conservation to advance understanding and stewardship of Alaska's marine ecosystems.
Founded in 1998 following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Center serves as Alaska's only permanent marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation facility while welcoming approximately 170,000 visitors annually. With more than 280 employees and annual revenues exceeding $12 million, ASLC is recognized nationally for its leadership in marine science, conservation, education, and public engagement.

About the Opportunity
The Alaska SeaLife Center is seeking an experienced Executive Vice President to serve as the organization's senior operational leader and strategic partner to President & CEO Dr. Wei Ying Wong. This is an exceptional opportunity to help lead one of the nation's most distinctive conservation organizations as it advances an ambitious strategic vision focused on innovation, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability.
The EVP will oversee critical operational functions including facilities, life support systems, information technology, business development, guest experience, safety, and risk management while helping translate organizational strategy into measurable results across the institution.

Position Description
The Executive Vice President (EVP) serves as the senior operational leader of the Alaska SeaLife Center and a key strategic partner to the President and CEO. Working across a complex and multifaceted organization, the EVP is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administration and operational performance of the Center, ensuring the people, systems, facilities, and resources are aligned to support ASLC’s mission and long-term success. The EVP provides leadership for critical organizational functions, including facilities and life support operations, information technology, business development, guest experience, safety, risk management, and other areas as assigned. As the second-in-command, this individual serves as a trusted advisor to the CEO, helps translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes, and acts on behalf of the CEO when appropriate.
Beyond operational oversight, the EVP plays a vital role in strengthening organizational culture, developing leadership capacity across the institution, and fostering collaboration among diverse teams. This leader will work closely with the Board of Directors, community partners, government stakeholders, donors, and staff to advance the Center’s strategic objectives while ensuring operational excellence and financial sustainability. Success in this role requires a highly visible, relationship-oriented leader who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, navigate complexity with confidence, make thoughtful decisions in a dynamic environment, and inspire others through a shared commitment to research, conservation, education, and marine health.
  
Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior operational leader of the Alaska SeaLife Center, providing direct leadership for areas assigned by the President & CEO related to the overall administration, management, and daily operations of the organization. Act as the lead executive in the CEO’s absence and serve as a trusted strategic thought partner in advancing organizational priorities and decision-making.
• Provide oversight, leadership, and accountability for organizational managers and teams responsible for Facility Operations, Life Support Systems, Information Technology, Business Development, Guest Experience, Safety, and other operational functions as assigned.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing organizational culture in partnership with Human Resources, supporting employee engagement, leadership development, workforce planning, performance management, recruitment, retention, and organizational DEAI initiatives.
• Partner with the President & CEO, senior leadership team, and Board of Directors to develop, implement, and evaluate the organization’s strategic plan, annual goals, operational priorities, and key performance metrics.
• Communicate regularly with the President & CEO regarding organizational operations, financial performance, strategic opportunities, infrastructure needs, risk factors, and matters affecting the long-term sustainability and success of the Center.
• Provide a visible and engaged leadership presence throughout the organization, fostering trust, transparency, accountability, and open communication among staff at all levels.
• Build strong working relationships with members of the Board of Directors and assigned committees, serving as staff liaison when appropriate and supporting Board engagement, planning, and governance priorities.
• Strengthen organizational capacity by developing leaders, empowering staff, improving systems and processes, and ensuring departments have the tools and resources necessary to operate effectively and efficiently.
• Lead enterprise-wide efforts related to risk management, safety, regulatory compliance, emergency preparedness, and operational continuity, ensuring proactive identification, assessment, and mitigation of organizational risks.
• Oversee long-term facility stewardship, infrastructure planning, deferred maintenance initiatives, capital improvement projects, and life support system operations to ensure the safety, reliability, and sustainability of the Center’s physical assets.
• Collaborate with development and marketing leadership to strengthen the Center's earned and contributed revenue streams by identifying operational priorities that can be translated into compelling funding opportunities and actively supporting donor engagement, grant strategy, advocacy, and long-term organizational sustainability.
• Champion an exceptional, mission-driven guest experience that integrates hospitality, education, conservation, and public engagement while supporting the Center’s reputation as a premier visitor destination.
• Represent the Alaska SeaLife Center with professionalism and credibility among community leaders, Indigenous partners, government agencies, industry stakeholders, donors, visitors, and professional associations, cultivating relationships that advance the Center’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Conduct VIP tours, participate in public events, conferences, and meetings, and serve as an ambassador for the organization locally, statewide, and nationally.
• Foster positive and productive relationships with visitors, volunteers, community members, contractors, and staff while promoting a culture of service, collaboration, respect, and accountability.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and flexibility to travel and work evenings or weekends as needed to support operational requirements, organizational priorities, and community engagement activities.

  Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least ten years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience in a nonprofit, cultural institution, government agency, research organization, or similarly complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple operational functions across a complex organization.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, and business acumen.
• Experience leading organizational change, developing high-performing teams, and fostering accountability.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to represent the organization with donors, board members, government agencies, community partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.

Education/Training Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree with ten years of relevant leadership experience at a cultural organization, not-for-profit, or governmental organization, or equivalent training and experience. 
  
Physical Requirements:
  
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  
Compensation, Benefits & Work Environment

Compensation
$140,000–$165,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits
Comprehensive and competitive benefits package.

For More Information & To Apply
Alaska SeaLife Center has retained Heather Campbell and Kay Linder. Both Partners within ThinkingAhead Executive Search’s Nonprofit Division will serve as our recruitment partner.