Chief Aquarium Operations Officer

Monterey Bay Aquarium•Monterey, CA

7d•$300,000 - $375,000

About The Position

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is seeking a strategic, collaborative leader for the newly created Chief Aquarium Operations Officer role. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the Executive Team, the CAOO will lead the Aquarium’s core operations and on-site experience at both institutional and day-to-day levels, ensuring effective implementation of its programs, operations, and strategic priorities. The CAOO will lead four direct reports—the Vice President of Animal Care, Vice President of Education & Guest Experience, Vice President of Exhibitions, and Vice President of Facilities—and oversee a team of more than 300 staff. The role is accountable for the Aquarium’s on-site experience and adherence to an operating budget within allocated resources, including modern animal care standards, impactful education programs, world-class facilities, and exceptional exhibits and guest experiences. The CAOO will drive integration and efficiency across divisions, foster innovation and continuous learning, and ensure Aquarium operations reflect its values and advance its mission to inspire conservation of the ocean.

Requirements

Exemplary senior management experience at a guest-facing organization and corresponding complex financial oversight experience.
Successful oversight of major capital construction and deferred maintenance programs, including management of complex, aging institutional infrastructure.
Experience managing a multi-building real estate portfolio across diverse institutional functions.
Experience developing and implementing major education programs.
Collaborative leadership skills, including building effective teams, maximizing collaboration across workgroups, and commitment to continuous improvement.
Experience overseeing security and serving as a point of contact during crises.
Outstanding communication skills: articulate, concise, effective, and able to ensure plans and decisions are understood throughout the organization.
Deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, with a demonstrated record of fostering belonging and trust.
Strong emotional intelligence and ability to build trust and credibility with colleagues, board members, and external partners.
Comfort with ambiguity and institutional change, and ability to provide clarity and calm in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
Ability to work within and uphold Monterey Bay Aquarium’s core values of impact, integrity, innovation, equity, and hope.
Passion for the mission of Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in the public aquarium or zoo space.
Experience working in a union environment.

Responsibilities

Establish clear goals, accountability structures, and performance standards across divisions; oversee a significant and complex combined budget and steward resources responsibly while driving mission impact.
Lead the development and implementation of institutional plans and priorities that balance programmatic and operational excellence.
Participate in Board of Trustees committees, including Programs, and support the CEO with Board meeting planning, execution, and follow-up on Board direction.
Develop plans and capacity to serve more than 2 million visitors annually, ensuring visitor touchpoints reflect excellence, scientific accuracy, and conservation.
Lead an annual capital program exceeding $40 million across facilities and exhibits; oversee exhibits from concept through opening and ensure delivery on time, within budget, and to quality and safety standards.
Lead talent selection and retention across divisions, foster creativity, experimentation, and continuous learning, and champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Provide executive oversight of the main Aquarium building and 18 additional buildings, and partner with the VP of Facilities on long-range capital and deferred maintenance plans.
Ensure on-site programs and operations advance the Aquarium’s conservation mission; support education initiatives and integrate conservation priorities into the visitor experience.
Build and maintain strong organizational relationships, guide teams in resolving challenges, and use cross-divisional strengths to advance strategic priorities, efficiency, and operational and programmatic alignment.
Oversee Aquarium security and emergency preparedness, including access control, surveillance, and coordination with local law enforcement as needed.
Serve as a key emergency contact focused on guest, staff, and animal safety, using a clear command structure, tested contingency plans, and calm, transparent communication.
Help professional teams improve efficiency and effectiveness through continuous improvement, problem solving, and strategic tradeoffs.