Director of Engagement and Entertainment

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance•Denver, CO

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations. DZCA honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do. The Director of Engagement and Entertainment advances DZCA’s mission and goals by shaping how guests emotionally connect with wildlife and conservation through personal engagement, immersive storytelling, live interpretation, entertainment, events, and technology-enabled experiences. The Director of Engagement and Entertainment leads large teams of interpretive, entertainment, and audio-visual/technology professionals, providing strategic direction for onsite interpretation, seasonal experiences, public programs, and traveling exhibits. This ensures that experiences are fun, inclusive, accessible, mission-driven, and financially sustainable. Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, DZCA is the place for you!

Requirements

4-year degree in Interpretation/Education, Hospitality/Tourism, Experience Design, Non-Profit Management, or Theater/Performing Arts preferred, or in a related field, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Requires a minimum of 7 years’ experience in public engagement, guest experience, interpretation, entertainment, program development, event production, and/or experiential design. 5+ years of progressive leadership experience managing large teams (20 or more staff), multi-disciplinary programs, budget, and strategy, and cross-departmental initiatives. Experience working in a high-volume attraction such as an amusement park, zoo, aquarium, museum, or science center is preferred. An equivalent combination of professional experience, lived experience, and/or special skills that demonstrate the ability to successfully perform the role will also be considered.
Demonstrated ability to design and lead large-scale guest engagement strategies that combine live interpretation, entertainment, storytelling, and immersive experiences to create memorable, mission-driven connections between audiences, wildlife, and conservation.
Expertise in developing and managing diverse public programs, seasonal events, traveling exhibits, and technology-enabled experiences that enhance guest satisfaction, advance conservation messaging, and support earned revenue goals.
Proven ability to lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, including interpretive staff, entertainers, and audiovisual/technology specialists, while collaborating across departments to deliver cohesive, inclusive, and high-quality guest experiences.
Proven computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, are required.
Requires exemplary collaboration, organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize work and tasks.
Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, and changing environment, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Must have superior negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive information with diplomacy.
Must be a recognized communicator and considered to be a developer, coach, and mentor who is comfortable working with a broad cross-section of people in direct and matrixed relationships.
Experience developing and executing strategic goals preferred.
Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen
Schedule Availability: Expectation to work a 5-day work week with regular availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays, time off planned with notice.

Nice To Haves

Experience with point-of-sale systems, CRM platforms, and AV control systems is preferred.
Certification or professional training from the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), such as Certified Interpretive Planner, Certified Interpretive Manager, Certified Interpretive Guide preferred. Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) or equivalent event production certification preferred. IBCCES or comparable sensory-inclusive experience certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaboratively, develop and steward a multi-year vision and strategic roadmap for guest engagement, entertainment, interpretation, and immersive experiences across campus.
Define how DZCA creates moments of connection, joy, curiosity, and empathy, translating mission and values into engaging guest-facing experiences.
Ensure engagement strategies align with broader organizational priorities, campus planning, operating calendars, and major milestone celebrations.
Lead, coach, and develop large teams of interpretive, event, and AV/technology professionals, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that supports professional growth and innovative thinking.
Build scalable team structures, training pathways, and performance expectations that support both daily operations and long-term innovation.
Review department organization to ensure staffing levels, schedules, and staffing structure provide for the organization's standard operations.
Lead the strategic direction for onsite interpretation, emphasizing immersive, interactive, and curiosity-driven storytelling.
Ensure conservation messages are delivered in ways that are fun, accessible, emotionally resonant, culturally relevant, and appropriate for diverse audiences.
Partner cross-functionally to align interpretive content with animal care, conservation science, education, and brand voice.
Create and oversee a multi-year strategy for signature events, seasonal programs, and traveling exhibits, balancing guest experience excellence with revenue optimization.
Identify, evaluate, and develop novel and unique engagement concepts that drive visitation, repeat attendance, and community connection.
Collaborate with Audience Development, In-park Revenue, Operations, Belonging, Communications leaders, and external partners to ensure events and exhibits are operationally sound, financially viable, and guest-focused.
Set vision for audio-visual, interactive, and immersive technologies, ensuring experiences are multi-sensory and seamlessly integrated into the guest journey.
Ensure A/V operations strategically support the Zoo’s mission and enhance the guest experience by aligning technology and staff talent.
Oversee the development of a diverse portfolio of public programs that engage a wide range of audiences, ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Ensure programs and experiences are designed with accessibility, inclusion, and cultural relevance at the forefront.
Use guest feedback, attendance data, and evaluation insights to evolve offerings and expand audience reach continuously.
Other assistance, as designated by manager, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. DZCA retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
Acts as a good steward of the DZCA's resources.
This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations.
The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of DZCA.