Director of Lifelong Learning

Toronto Zoo • Toronto, ON

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Toronto Zoo is seeking its first Director of Lifelong Learning to lead a bold, system-building shift in how we reach, serve, and inspire learners—from kindergarten to grey—across Toronto, Durham, and York. The Toronto Zoo is on a journey from place to purpose, and this newly established role will play a key part in shaping the future of our education programs. The Director of Lifelong Learning will coordinate the building of a model where people, wildlife, and wild spaces are thriving, and where learning is not simply about awareness, but about catalyzing conservation action. This role leads an inclusive, evidence informed education ecosystem that sparks curiosity and drives action toward the Zoo’s mission to reach diverse learners and underserved communities. It will leverage the new Community Conservation Centre (opening Fall 2026), the Wildlife Conservancy (TZWC), and our relationship with University of Toronto (UTSC) to grow multiple learning streams. This role will build strong partnerships with schools, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations to advance conservation education and public engagement.

Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience in education, learning design, community engagement, conservation, cultural institutions, or a related field where public learning and engagement are central.
• University degree in Education, Adult Learning, Communication or a related field.
• Proven ability to design and implement innovative programs for a variety of audiences and demographics.
• Proven ability to build and scale programs that advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and access.
• Experience working across complex partner ecosystems (government, school boards, post-secondary, community organizations, indigenous partners).
• Strong understanding of climate change and biodiversity education, including current literacy frameworks and public engagement best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and deliver outcomes through collaboration.
• Strong communication skills: public-facing, stakeholder-facing, and internal leadership.

Nice To Haves

• A graduate degree (M.Ed., MA or equivalent) is considered an asset.
• Ph.D. in Adult Education or related field.
• Experience designing or evaluating programs using social science methods (impact evaluation, behavior change, learning outcomes, theory of change).
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and integrating Traditional Knowledge into learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Zoo wide education strategy aligned with the Strategic Plan and our mission with clear measures of impact and effectiveness.
• Integrate climate change literacy and biodiversity protection into education programming at all levels.
• Design and scale barrier removing education models with governments, school boards, and community organizations to reach learners who have historically been missed.
• Working with the Chief Science Officer, build a cohesive science education and communication approach that connects conservation research to public understanding and action.
• Working with the Director of Indigenous Relations support respectful, ongoing collaboration with Indigenous partners and Knowledge Keepers. Ensure learning reflects “with the land” approaches and elevates Traditional Knowledge alongside western science.
• Lead our high-performing Learning and Engagement team, including more than 300 Zoo volunteers with a culture of inclusion, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Embed inclusive, engaging education across all Zoo experiences (i.e. animals, conservation science, horticulture, guest experience, and community programs) while supporting Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and The Association of Zoo’s and Aquariums (AZA) standards.
• Activate the Community Conservation Centre and UTSC partnership as a flagship hub for public, post-secondary, and adult learning, including micro credentials, internships, and community based research.

Benefits

• The successful candidate may be required to provide a police reference check and/or driver’s abstract, at their own expense as a condition of employment.
• Candidates may be required to take a written and/or practical examination relevant to the position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees