Pacific Environment works to protect communities and wildlife of the Pacific Rim. We support community leaders to fight climate change, protect the oceans, build just societies, and move away from fossil fuels toward a green economy.
Pacific Environment campaigns to eliminate fossil fuel use from the shipping industry within their climate division by building strong regulatory frameworks to achieve zero-emission shipping on a timeline commensurate with the climate emergency; pressuring corporate customers to demand zero-emission ships; and influencing ports on the Pacific West Coast and beyond to end fossil fuel build-out and ready themselves for zero-emission shipping instead. We focus on environmental justice, labor equity, and science-based timelines for climate action.
Position
We are seeking a highly strategic, relationship-driven Director of Strategic Partnerships, Climate - Asia Region to accelerate climate leadership among major Asian carriers, maritime shipping and cargo owners and support the launch of zero emission ocean shipping commitment and demonstration projects. This role is central to securing new net-zero commitments, shaping industry narratives, convening C-suite stakeholders, and cultivating deep cross-cultural relationships that drive transformational decarbonization outcomes.
This individual will work closely with global partners including Asian, European and U.S. cargo owners and industries, academic institutions, and leading maritime organizations—to build momentum for zero emission fuels and ocean transport.
The ideal candidate is multilingual, culturally fluent across East Asia, adept at building trust with senior executives, and experienced in global corporate engagement with a passion for moving society beyond fossil fuels and a commitment to climate justice and equity.
The Director of Strategic Partnerships, Climate - Asia Region will report to Pacific Environment’s Senior Director, Climate Campaign.
Location and travel
This position is remote and requires working Asia time zone hours, with a preference for physical presence in the Republic of Korea. The position will involve domestic, and likely international travel.
Responsibilities
- Identify high-credibility industry and organizations experienced in decarbonizing shipping and evaluate partnership opportunities across Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
- Lead outreach and execute MOUs with anchor partners to support recruitment of East Asian companies to zero emission initiatives, projects, and partnerships.
- Co-develop work plans, target lists, relationship maps, and clear divisions of labor with partners.
- Cultivate strong relationships with C-suite leaders at target Asian carriers and cargo owners, leveraging partner networks for senior-level introductions.
- Develop tailored framing, pitch materials, briefing memos, and talking points for executive engagement.
- Design and convene C-suite meetings across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. to advance climate leadership and coalition participation.
- Maintain regular communication to move priority firms toward Net Zero commitments and anchor partner status.
- Co-host high visibility global events (e.g., Davos, COP) with partners.
- Support partnership development, technical scoping, and early-stage collaboration toward future largescale deployment.
- Project manage consultants and/or staff to develop technical analyses, memos, and advocacy products as needed.
- Represent Pacific Environment with the press, in coalitions with key allies, and in key policy forums.
- Other tasks as determined by the Senior Director, Climate Campaign.
Key qualifications
- Minimum 7 years of relevant experience managing successful corporate partnerships and advocacy campaigns on a local, national, and international scale.
- Experience in conducting corporate research, including analyzing SEC filings and Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) reports.
- Deep cultural fluency and experience navigating business environments across East Asia.
- Proven track record of relationship building with senior executives or government leaders.
- Experience and expertise in climate, energy, shipping, logistics, supply chain, ESG, maritime decarbonization, or adjacent fields.
- Strong strategic planning, partnership management, and cross-organizational coordination skills.
- Ability to travel across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. as needed.
- A record of accomplishment of achievement in managing and winning campaigns.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across cultures.
- Fluency in multiple Asian languages a plus and ability to conduct business in English is a must.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. This includes experience serving as a public spokesperson and advocate, as well as the ability to analyze and articulate complex issues and to communicate them to a variety of audiences.
- Skill and comfort in building relationships with diverse audiences, including with companies, coalition partners, and the media
Relevant experience for this position can take many forms, and we strongly encourage applicants from a diversity of backgrounds.
Physical requirements
The Director of Strategic Partnerships, Climate - Asia Region involves remaining in a stationary position and looking at a computer for long stretches of time, communicating with co-workers electronically, and frequent travel (including overnight travel), in-person meetings, or events. The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Pacific Environment is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from communities harmed by environmental degradation and from backgrounds underrepresented in the environmental movement to apply. We welcome diversity to do our best work and believe that creating teams in which everyone can be their authentic self is key to the change we seek.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Pacific Environment. Please inform our HR team by emailing [email protected] you need any assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application or interview process.
No phone calls, please.
