Current Opportunities

The International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS) registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States in February 1996. Since 1981, this community of sea turtle biologists, conservationists, educators, and advocates from around the world has shared knowledge, built capacity, and promoted networks and collaborations to understand and conserve sea turtles. In addition to convening an annual Symposium, which represents a presentation and celebration of these efforts, the ISTS supports members’ activities through grant programs, global networking, and Society governance.

The ISTS is governed by a Board of Directors (BoD) that is elected by the membership. The BoD is dedicated to advancing the Society's vision, mission, and goals, ensuring the organization’s viability and sustainability, supporting members’ work, and promoting sea turtle conservation globally. The BoD also oversees the Society’s financial management, ensures compliance with relevant legal requirements, and provides open and transparent communication of the Society’s financial position to its members.

ISTS Vision: The Vision of the International Sea Turtle Society is globally robust populations of sea turtles fulfilling their ecological roles within a healthy environment, in harmonious co-existence with all Peoples.

ISTS Mission: The Mission of the International Sea Turtle Society is to promote understanding, appreciation, and value of sea turtles and their habitats through the exchange and sharing of information, techniques, ideas, and inspiration that will promote actions from local to global levels, for the advancement of sea turtle biology and conservation.

The ISTS BoD, with support from the membership, is hiring a dedicated, creative, and effective leader to serve as the Society’s Executive Director (ED). The ED will report to the BoD. The ED will work closely with the BoD to lead this global organization in a manner that advances the ISTS’s growth, visibility, and impact through efficient and strategic action, long-term financial planning, and effective communication with ISTS members, the broader sea turtle community, other international conservation organizations, and other stakeholders.

The ED role is an exempt, fully-remote, part-time position that does not include benefits. The level of effort is expected to be distributed throughout the year and commensurate with a 20-hour per week position on average. However, there will be occasions when the work required to meet the objectives exceeds 20 hours in a given week.

The responsibilities of the ED (described in more detail below) require dedication, organization, initiative, and strong communication skills. The ED must also be able to travel domestically and internationally to attend the annual Symposium and annual Board Retreat.

Board Engagement: The ED will work closely with the BoD and its associated committees and sub-committees to coordinate Board operations and execute strategic priorities. Responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating and leading quarterly Board meetings with the Board Chair.
• Managing the execution and tracking of strategic priorities of the Board and its committees.
• Supporting the Symposium President in planning, budgeting, and organizational alignment.
• Serving as the primary liaison for communications between the Board and the membership.
• Working with the Board Treasurer to conduct biannual budget reviews and reporting.

Organizational Operations: The ED will oversee the day-to-day operations, administration, communications, and archiving for the Society. Responsibilities will include:

• Creating and maintaining organizational systems, administrative processes, and documentation.
• Preparing annual reports for members, donors, and regulatory bodies.
• Overseeing the Society’s finances in accordance with the Board-approved budget.
• Ensuring compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to an international society registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in South Carolina, USA.
• Identifying organizational needs with regards to new committees and/or personnel.

Organizational Development (Fundraising): The ED will work closely with the Board to develop and execute an organizational development plan for the Society, including a fundraising strategy. Responsibilities will include:

• Developing and executing a strategic plan to grow the Society, both financially and operationally.
• Researching and advising the Board on grant, sponsorship, and other fundraising opportunities.
• Building relationships with donors and sponsors.
• Identifying opportunities to increase global membership, membership longevity, and membership engagement and feedback.
• Identifying strategic partnerships to advance the Society’s mission.

Communications/Marketing: The ED will develop and coordinate the Society’s day-to-day communications and marketing strategy to ensure accurate and consistent messaging from the Society. Responsibilities will include:

• Serving as the primary point-of-contact and relationship manager for the Board and Society.
• Serving as the primary liaison for communications between the Board and external entities.
• Coordinating the dissemination of electronic content with IT and Social Media coordinators.
• Implementing the branding guide for the Board and its committees/subcommittees to use.
• Advancing the Vision and Mission of the ISTS through accurate and consistent organizational communications.

Education:

• A minimum of a four-year degree, preferably in business or nonprofit management, public administration, or public policy.
• A relevant graduate degree, preferred.

Experience:

• Interacting with leaders, scientists, and other diverse stakeholders.
• Engaging with networks in the conservation field and leveraging development opportunities.
• Strategic planning and managing an organization, its people, and its resources
• Supervising and managing tasks, contractors, and volunteers across multiple projects.

Skills:

• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Intercultural competence
• Strategic, adaptive thinking and action
• Complex problem solving
• Decisive decision making
• Effective communication
• Inclusive and diplomatic leadership
• Finance and budget management
• Organizational development and fundraising

Other requirements: 

• Flexibility to meet virtually in different time zones with a globally-distributed Board.
• Availability to travel globally for the Board Retreat (annually in August) and Symposium (annually in February/March).
• Eligibility to work in the USA.

Location: This position is fully remote. Applicants must be eligible to work in the USA.

Time Commitment: The level of effort is expected to be distributed throughout the year and commensurate with a 20-hour per week position although it may vary based on projects and tasks required in any given week.

Compensation: $50,000/year less applicable federal, state and, if any, local tax withholdings. Benefits are not provided. Required travel expenses will be compensated.

Submit a complete application (a cover letter and resume in one pdf document) to the ISTS Board Search Committee, care of Patti Gillenwater, President & CEO, and her team at Elinvar Leadership Solutions, at: opportunity@elinvar.com by 11:59pm US Eastern time on Wednesday, 15 October 2025. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. References will be requested as needed.

ISTS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other protected category.