Chief Executive Officer

Denver Zoo•Denver, CO

13h•$510,000 - $530,000

About The Position

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leading nonprofit conservation, education, and animal-care institution dedicated to inspiring communities to save wildlife for future generations. DZCA will mark its 130th anniversary in 2026, in those years DZCA has played a vital role in the Denver community and beyond, serving as a beloved cultural destination, a trusted conservation partner, and a hub for scientific innovation. Today, DZCA operates at the intersection of public trust and enterprise complexity - serving as a beloved civic institution for the Denver community while stewarding a large, multifaceted conservation and guest-facing operation. Each year, DZCA welcomes over 1.8 million guests, engaging families, students, members, and visitors from across the Rocky Mountain region. DZCA stewards a campus of more than 2,500 animals representing 450 species, including many rare and endangered animals. Its multidisciplinary staff, comprised of conservationists, educators, animal-care experts, and operational professional, bring a shared commitment to wildlife protection and community-centered conservation. DZCA invests in scientific research, habitat restoration, species recovery, and environmental education, while strengthening its role as a convening voice on biodiversity, climate resilience, and human-wildlife coexistence. DZCA is a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation and is American Humane Certified™. With an annual operating budget of approximately $80–90 million, DZCA manages a robust portfolio of conservation programs across Colorado and internationally, advancing fieldwork, capacity building, and community-based partnerships. You can learn more by visiting the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance website at www.denverzoo.org Additional Context & Institutional Highlights: Historic Urban Campus: Located in Denver’s City Park, DZCA spans 84 acres and has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape since 1896. Community Engagement: DZCA serves more than 250,000 learners annually through education programs, outreach initiatives, and community partnerships. Conservation Footprint: DZCA supports conservation initiatives on multiple continents focused on species recovery, human-wildlife coexistence, and capacity building. Innovation & Sustainability: DZCA continues to invest in future-focused infrastructure, sustainability efforts, and guest experience improvements to meet evolving community expectations and environmental realities. Financial Scale & Stewardship: With an annual operating budget of approximately $80–90 million, DZCA manages a complex enterprise balancing mission, guest experience, conservation impact, and long-term capital planning. SCFD Support : As one of the largest beneficiaries of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD)—the voter-approved tax district supporting arts, culture, and science organizations across the seven-county metro region—DZCA receives critical public funding that reinforces its ability to serve the community, keep access equitable, and advance its conservation and education mission. Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance seeks a seasoned, mission-driven President & Chief Executive Officer to lead DZCA through its next phase of stability, strategic execution, and long-term growth. The CEO will serve as the enterprise leader responsible for aligning animal care, conservation science, education, philanthropy, guest experience, and operations under a clear and executable vision. This leader will inherit a strong foundation and guide DZCA through continued organizational alignment, leadership stabilization, and strategy execution. The successful candidate will be a trusted partner to the Board of Governors; a steady, visible presence within the Denver community; and a respected voice across regional and national conservation, cultural, and nonprofit sectors. The CEO will model transparent, values-driven leadership while ensuring DZCA remains both a beloved public institution and a high-performing conservation organization. As a trusted leader in conservation science, wildlife care, and experiential learning, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is poised for its next chapter, one that leverages a strong foundation, a loyal membership base, expanding community partnerships, and a growing national reputation. With a century of legacy and a renewed strategic vision underway, DZCA is committed to shaping the future of conservation in Denver, across the West, and around the world.

Requirements

Significant senior executive experience in complex, mission-oriented, guest-facing organizations, such as zoos, aquariums, museums, conservation organizations, theme parks, or similar institutions.
A deep commitment to wildlife, biodiversity, conservation, and environmental stewardship, with the ability to inspire others around this mission.
Proven strategic leadership with experience defining organizational vision, aligning diverse teams, and driving measurable results.
Demonstrated fundraising success, including cultivating major donors, corporate partners, and foundations.
Experience leading complex operations, ideally across multi-site or multi-program environments.
Outstanding communication and public presence, including media and stakeholder engagement.
Demonstrated experience working effectively with city government, public agencies, or voter-funded entities in a highly visible, politically complex environment.
Strong financial and business acumen with experience managing large budgets, enterprise operations, and capital planning.
Experience strengthening systems for transparency, accountability, talent development, and organizational agility.
Demonstrated ability to think creatively about enterprise growth, revenue diversification, and large-scale guest-facing experiences within mission-driven institutions.
Ability to lead through change with resilience, clarity, and the capacity to unify diverse stakeholders.
Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing executive teams.
Commitment to building inclusive, empowering workplace cultures.
Experience working closely with or reporting to a Board of Directors and partnering in strong governance practices.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Execution Lead execution of DZCA’s strategic plan and long-term master planning initiatives, translating vision into clear priorities, milestones, and outcomes.
Provide steady, confident leadership during a period of organizational alignment and leadership stabilization.
Balance mission impact, guest experience, financial sustainability, and operational complexity across a large-scale public institution.
Strengthen DZCA’s position as a regional and national leader in conservation, science, education, and public engagement.
Executive Leadership, Culture & Talent Oversee all organizational functions, including operations, finance, animal care, conservation, education, philanthropy, and administration.
Build, stabilize, and lead a high-performing executive team aligned to shared values, accountability, and collaboration.
Foster a culture grounded in trust, transparency, inclusion, and performance.
Ensure systems, structures, and decision-making processes support clarity, accountability, and long-term organizational health.
Philanthropy & Revenue Strategy Lead and support major fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation, and diversified revenue strategies.
Build strong relationships with donors, foundations, corporate partners, and public funders.
Ensure philanthropic strategy is tightly aligned with organizational priorities and long-term capital needs.
External Affairs, Government & Community Relations Serve as the principal ambassador and spokesperson for DZCA.
Build and maintain productive relationships with the City of Denver, public agencies, and civic leadership.
Actively collaborate with fellow SCFD Tier I leaders, contributing to shared stewardship of Colorado’s cultural and scientific ecosystem.
Elevate DZCA’s profile within national and international conservation networks through partnerships, advocacy, and thought leadership.
Board Partnership & Governance Partner closely with the Board of Governors through transparent communication and strategic counsel.
Support effective governance, board engagement, and leadership succession planning.
Provide the Board with clear insight into organizational performance, risks, and opportunities.
Guest Experience & Brand Stewardship Ensure consistently high-quality, inclusive, and engaging guest experiences.
Uphold DZCA’s reputation for excellence in animal care, education, and conservation.
Champion a cohesive brand reflecting DZCA’s dual identity as a beloved community institution and conservation-driven organization.