IT Operations Manager

The application period will close on December 1st at 12pm Eastern time. Please note that if we receive a high volume of qualified applicants, the posting may close sooner, so we encourage candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.

About Us

Global Fishing Watch is an international, non-profit organization committed to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency. We create and publicly share knowledge about human activity at sea to enable fair and sustainable use of our ocean. Founded in 2015 through a collaboration between Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google, GFW became an independent non-profit organization in June 2017. Using cutting-edge technology, we create and publicly share map visualizations, data and analysis tools to enable scientific research and drive a transformation in how we manage our ocean. Our major focus is on commercial fishing because it is the most widespread human activity at sea, the most impactful on ocean health, and the most crucial for global livelihoods and food security. By 2030, we aim to monitor and visualize the impact of ocean-going vessels, both industrial and small-scale, that are responsible for the vast majority of the global seafood catch. We believe human activity at sea should be common knowledge in order to safeguard the global ocean commons for the common good of all. 

The Position

The  IT Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the IT operations of Global FIshing Watch, ensuring that the technology infrastructure supports our organization’s goals. They will analyze current systems and assets, recommend and implement solutions and upgrades, deliver adhoc IT projects and provide training. The ideal candidate has extensive knowledge of cloud-based network and systems administration, experience working with non IT specialists, and advanced industry knowledge to keep us on the cutting edge. The IT manager will have an immediate impact on the day-to-day efficiency of our operations and a long-term impact on our overall growth.

GFW has a fully remote, globally distributed workforce with no physical hardware infrastructure. Our network is entirely cloud-based, centered on Google Workspace, Slack, and other SaaS tools.  Employees are issued laptops (Windows and OSX), but this is the only IT hardware that GFW manages.

Essential cloud-based services under management:

• Google Workspace
• Slack
• Notion
• Outsourced IT support service for security services, backups and disaster recovery

What We Offer

We are committed to supporting our global team and providing a positive, flexible work environment.

• Competitive Compensation: A competitive salary range for this position.
• A 100% Remote & Flexible Workplace: We are a fully remote, globally distributed team. We are committed to this model (there will be no return to office) and offer flexible working hours to support work-life balance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: We provide a strong benefits package that includes [e.g., generous paid time off, comprehensive health insurance, and a retirement/pension contribution].
• A Mission-Driven Team: The opportunity to have a direct impact on ocean conservation by supporting a passionate, global team dedicated to our mission.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Cloud Services Administration for key services, including Google Workspace, Slack and Notion (20%)

• Develop and maintain appropriate security measures (access, encryption, etc)
• Provide user support and troubleshooting
• Perform routine maintenance and performance monitoring tasks
• Map out and implement an appropriate cloud strategy, to ensure resources and tools are continuously adjusted to accommodate changing workloads

General IT tools oversight and maintenance (10%)

•  Maintain essential IT infrastructure, including operating systems, security tools, applications, servers, email systems, laptops, desktops, software, and hardware
• Track and maintain hardware and software inventory, and suggest changes and updates based on actualized needs
• Handle business-critical IT tasks and systems administration

IT project management (25%)

• Take responsibility for IT projects and solutions, such as
• Migration between cloud services
• Business continuity plan and recovery design
• Management of the full hardware lifecycle (procurement, setup, tracking), evaluation and rollout of new cloud tools, and internal process automation.
• Implement and oversee security measures to protect data, software, and hardware
• Research and evaluate emerging technologies, hardware, and software

IT support and risk management(35%)

• Develop, coordinate, and enforce systems, policies, and procedures
• Design and deliver an onboarding module for new hires, ensuring they are able to leverage GFW’s tool and operate in our cloud-based environment
• Proactively develop and deliver 'IT Mastery' training (e.g., live workshops, 1-page guides, onboarding modules) to ensure staff fully leverage our core tools, including Google Workspace, Slack, and Notion.
• Act as the primary point of contact (Tier 1) and 'face' of IT for all internal support, troubleshooting, and user account management.
• Develop and provide IT training to staff, including usage of key tools such as Google suite and Notion, IT safety and best practices, and others as relevant
• Manage IT external support providers
• In collaboration with the director, Compliance, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards as well as appropriate insurance coverage

Other (10%)

• Prepare and manage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and efficiency in all IT operations.
• Any other tasks as required

Candidate Description

Required

• Five or more years of experience in IT or IT project management, or equivalent professional experience
• Google Workspace Administration expertise
• Proven experience as the primary Tier 1 support contact
• Experience managing SaaS tools (Slack, Notion, etc.).
• Strong project management skills with experience in managing multiple IT projects simultaneously.
• Highly organized, analytical, detail oriented and self-motivated
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently to a very high standard of detail.
• Ability to take ownership of projects and communicate project updates to stakeholders (both technical and non-technical) in a transparent and proactive manner.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage concurrent projects and tasks, communicating key deadlines and dependencies to stakeholders.
• An understanding of the complexities and internal communications surrounding collaboration in a global matrix and remote organization.

Preferred

• In-depth experience using Google Suite, Notion, Slack and Jira
• Working fluency in Spanish a significant plus
• Experience creating training materials and onboarding modules

The successful candidate will meet most, but not necessarily all, of the criteria above. If you don’t think you check all the boxes, but believe you have unique skills that make you a great fit for the role, we want to hear from you!

Please submit a CV with your relevant experiences and a cover letter conveying your interest in the position and how your previous experiences would support you to be successful in this role. We look forward to getting to know more about you!

Additional Information

Note: The application period for this role closes on December 1st at 12pm Eastern

Reporting to: COO

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not supported at this time. 

Candidates must be authorized to work for GFW without visa sponsorship for at least two years after their start date (January 2026), or for the entire duration of their contract if on a fixed-term agreement (This is a one-year fixed term with possible extension)

Individuals on student visas must be eligible for full-time employment on their visa and have valid work authorization (such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) or equivalent) that remains valid for at least two years or the duration of their contract.

Candidates relying on a spouse’s visa for work authorization are not eligible, as they must independently qualify for employment.

Location: This is a remote role, but candidates must be legally authorized and based in the following countries to be considered: United States, United Kingdom. Costa Rica, Mexico, Germany, Ireland, Italy

Permanent/Fixed Term/Contractor: Fixed Term

Duration: 1 year

Full Time hours: Yes, but open to part time (75% hours)

Recruiting process: Recruiting Process: A cover letter along with a CV will be requested to see how your experience and interest connect to the position. We expect the cover letter to allow applicants an opportunity to explain details on how their skill set aligns with the role and provide a better understanding of their suitability for the position. If selected for consideration, the hiring process for this position will include an initial call with our Talent Acquisition team, followed by a formal 45 minute interview with 1-3 team members. Candidates advancing beyond this round will be asked to take a technical assessment and/or submit a representative code sample. Lastly, a final interview with 2-4 teams members to review your assessment and assess functional skills.

Compensation: A compensation range for this position is US$ 80-95k per year for US-based employees, EUR 50-60k for Europe-Based, GPB 55-62k for UK Based. For applicants located elsewhere, the pay range will be adjusted to the country of hire. Compensation is commensurate with experience and will vary depending on the hired candidate’s country of residence, in accordance with local laws and regulations. GFW offers pension/retirement, health and other benefits commensurate with similar level GFW employees in the country of employment. The position may be a GFW employee, an employee of our Employer of Record Partner, or a contractor depending on the country of residence.

Equal opportunities: Global Fishing Watch is an equal opportunities employer. Global Fishing Watch is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our organization and in the greater ocean management and conservation community. We believe that diverse backgrounds, skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger organization. Bringing together professionals who possess broad experiences and a spectrum of perspectives will enable us to reach our goal of improved ocean governance faster. We hire and promote qualified professionals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organizational goals match the urgent challenges facing our global ocean, and our mission is designed to help secure a healthy ocean for all. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of humanity’s diversity, by providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees of Global Fishing Watch and for our partners, vendors, suppliers and contractors.

Accessibility and Accommodations: We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you are selected for an interview and need accommodations or adjustments at any stage, please let the Talent Acquisition Manager know during your initial call. We’ll do our best to support your needs. Any information you share will be kept confidential and used only to ensure you have a positive experience.