Science Director

CCMI is looking for our next Science Director. We are located on the small, remote tropical island of Little Cayman, where our reef systems have limited local anthropogenic stressors, creating the opportunity to study, support, and promote reef resistance and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. We are seeking a scientist with strong research experience, impactful publication record, and a history of successful teamwork, collaboration, and accomplishment working in coral reef resilience. Priority research areas are expected to advance our understanding of how coral populations and reef ecosystems resist, recover, and adapt to global and local stressors. The Science Director is expected to establish a resident team to conduct, attract, and support year-round research. The incumbent will develop important collaborations with external academic partners, and must have experience applying for grants and managing multiple projects. CCMI has a 28-year ecological monitoring series and a 13-year restoration facility that are also the remit of the Science Team. You must also be a passionate communicator and educator, proactively working with a wider CCMI team to create impact beyond peer-reviewed research. The Science Director and staff are expected to integrate the science programme with our active primary-to-tertiary education programmes and seek to communicate science in support of the conservation of island and regional resources. Roles and Responsibilities As Science Director, your role is to develop and implement a strategy that will establish CCMI as a globally recognized field research and education institute in the Caribbean. You will be responsible for building and leading a well-funded research programme and will establish a vibrant, collaborative community that works to incubate new ideas to address contemporary issues facing coral reef ecosystems. Key to the Directorship is contributing to CCMI’s long-term business strategy, which aims to build the capacity and capabilities of the institution to lead coral reef resilience research in the Caribbean. You will also work closely with the Head of Marine Science Education to create and carry out education programmes that are region-leading. It is imperative that you are a strong leader, with the ability to cultivate an engaged team of scientists and educators. You will also need to be flexible and adaptable, as leading a team from a remote tropical island can be challenging. You must be able to passionately communicate and promote CCMI’s mission. You need the skills and empathy to relate to people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. You will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of CCMI, supervise the Science Team, and collaborate effectively with other CCMI teams that focus on education, outreach, communications, finance, operations, development, and administration. Company Strategy Uphold and deliver the role of CCMI Company Director to the highest ethical standards Develop and implement a science strategy that will establish CCMI as a globally recognised field research and education institute in the Caribbean, linking to the wider company goals Develop and sustain successful grant writing and grant management to support the growth of the research programme, funding facilities and operations, with the aim of sustaining a US $1 million per annum research programme Develop a strong connection between CCMI Science and CCMI Education programmes to ensure the most relevant and up-to-date science is represented and included in CCMI education and outreach Attract scientists and groups that can bring relevant projects and substantial funding, and pay for facility use, as appropriate Research Strategy Coordinate the CCMI Science Council – a panel of advisors that help to determine strategic science direction at CCMI to ensure long-term sustainability and meaningful scientific and societal impact Establish a vibrant collaborative communit