Director of fisheries policy

Role summary

The Director of Policy leads NEFSA’s policy agenda alongside the Chief Strategist end-to-end—identifying how federal and state fisheries actions affect harvesters, shaping how and when NEFSA weighs in, coordinating legal strategies with counsel, and working with fixer/contract lobbyist to drive progress. The Director represents NEFSA at key meetings (e.g., New England Fishery Management Council and, as needed, ASMFC), builds coalitions, and produces high-impact analyses, comments, and testimony.

Core responsibilities

Strategy & analysis

• Track and evaluate emerging and ongoing fisheries policies, rules, council actions, and science products for industry impacts across New England fisheries.
• Develop clear positions and decision memos that recommend when and how NEFSA should engage (comment, coalition, litigation, legislative).
• Translate complex regulatory/scientific materials into actionable briefings for fishermen, board members, and partners.

Legal & regulatory engagement

• In partnership with attorneys, scope and pursue legal pathways to challenge, improve, or defend policy (administrative challenges, litigation strategies, timelines, and record-building).
• Lead the drafting of public comments, petitions, testimony, and meeting interventions; manage deadlines across multiple rulemakings.
• Coordinate information-gathering to support legal and administrative records (e.g., data requests, affidavits, FOIAs as appropriate).

Government affairs & coalition building

• Work alongside a contract lobbyist to advance NEFSA priorities with agencies, council/commission members, and elected offices.
• Build and maintain coalitions with fishermen, shoreside businesses, trade associations, conservation/science partners, and community stakeholders.
• Represent NEFSA at necessary council meetings (NEFMC) and, as needed, at ASMFC (and other relevant bodies/briefings).

Research, communications & field engagement

• Commission or perform rapid policy research, economic impact assessments, and technical reviews.
• Provide policy input for media, op-eds, and digital communications; prepare talking points and testimony for fishermen-spokespeople.

Organizational leadership

• Manage policy contractors, outside counsel, specialists, interns/fellows; steward budget lines for policy, government relations, and legal.
• Report regularly to the Chief Strategist and board; track KPIs and deliverables.

Qualifications

Required

• 5–10+ years of experience in fisheries/marine policy, administrative law, legislative affairs, or closely related fields.
• Demonstrated record shaping outcomes in complex rulemaking or litigation-heavy environments.
• Excellent writer and editor—able to produce crisp comment letters, memos, and testimony under deadline.
• Strong relationship-builder with credibility among fishermen, policymakers, and technical experts.
• Comfort navigating the federal rulemaking process and relevant bodies (e.g., NOAA Fisheries/NMFS, NEFMC; familiarity with ASMFC).
• Willingness to travel ~25–35% for meetings, hearings, and community engagement; valid driver’s license.

Preferred

• Advanced degree (JD, MPP/MPA, MS in marine policy/management) or equivalent field experience.
• Working knowledge of frameworks like the Magnuson–Stevens Act and administrative/NEPA processes; experience coordinating litigation with outside counsel.
• Familiarity with New England fisheries (including lobster), marine economics, and fisheries science basics.

Benefits

• 3 weeks paid vacation, paid sick time
• Health insurance stipend
• 401(k) match benefits
• Hybrid work environment (home + regional travel)

Key Outcomes (first 6-12 months)

• Clear policy agenda and calendar mapped to NEFSA priorities and council/commission timelines.
• High-quality, timely public comments/testimony on top-priority actions.
• Active legal strategies scoped with counsel (if warranted), with records and timelines organized.
• Productive working cadence with fixer/contract lobbyist; measurable relationship-building with policymakers.
• Trusted briefings for fishermen leadership that improve participation and amplify fishermen voices.

How to apply

Email one PDF containing your resume and a brief cover letter (and a policy writing sample if available) to [email protected] with the subject line “Director of Policy — NEFSA” by October 21, 2025 . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled.

EEO: NEFSA is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Boston, MA 02108