Abstract Postgraduate education for marine conservation has failed to keep up with the field's most pressing needs. A growing body of literature has documented a chasm between the skills being taught at universities and the skills most needed for effective conservation. In addition to traditional disciplinary topics, postgraduate institutions should also deliver priority skills for successful ocean conservation. This paper examines survey responses from 30 marine conservationists who have been publicly recognized for achieving noteworthy success. Respondents provided quantitative rankings of skills that were most instrumental to their success, and which of these skills should be learned at university rather than on the job. Results focused on innovation (e.g., thinking creatively, developing a compelling vision), collaboration (e.g., organizational partnering, building and leading teams), and communication (e.g., the art of persuasion, listening well). The findings suggest a new direction in postgraduate education with potential implications for ocean conservation practitioners as well as university personnel engaged in training future marine leaders.