Vice President of Animal Care & Wellbeing

National Aquarium • Baltimore, MD

8d • $118,000 - $165,499 • Onsite

About The Position

The National Aquarium is seeking a Vice President of Animal Care and Wellbeing to lead animal care, animal health and wellbeing, animal rescue, and dive safety across the institution. The VP supervises the leaders of these functions, establishes expectations for care and welfare assessment, guides collection and habitat planning, and ensures concerns receive timely decisions and follow-through. The role calls for scientific judgment, operational discipline, and the ability to develop senior leaders and improve outcomes for animals and staff.

The VP advises the SVP/Chief Mission Officer on animal care and welfare priorities and leads their implementation. The VP works closely with the Vice President of Facilities, Environmental Quality and Water Science on water quality, habitat conditions, infrastructure risks, and incident response, and collaborates with other Aquarium leaders to advance organizational goals. The position also oversees associated budgets and represents the Aquarium with media, government agencies, other organizations, and AZA as needed.

Requirements

• At least 15 years of progressive experience in accredited zoos or aquariums, including significant senior leadership responsibility for complex animal care and welfare functions and experience leading managers or other senior specialists.
• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology, zoology, psychology, animal behavior, veterinary science, or a related field.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a Maryland driver’s license.
• Demonstrated knowledge of animal care and welfare, animal nutrition, veterinary practices, and the effects of water quality and life support systems on animal wellbeing.
• Ability to work effectively with leaders responsible for clinical care, environmental quality, facilities, and life support.
• Demonstrated success leading multiple animal care and welfare functions; establishing or substantially improving welfare assessment practices; contributing to complex collection and habitat decisions; and maintaining readiness for AZA accreditation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership, team-building, and organizational skills; attention to detail; and ability to handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to interact positively and successfully with all levels of the organization and community.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• SCUBA certification or ability to obtain it.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the leaders of Animal Care, Animal Health and Wellbeing, Animal Rescue, Behavioral Husbandry, and Dive Safety; set expectations for performance, accountability, communication, staff development, and succession planning.
• Establish and evaluate institution-wide animal welfare practices using documented assessments and outcomes; ensure concerns are escalated, decisions recorded, and corrective actions completed and evaluated.
• Provide executive oversight of Animal Rescue and Dive Safety, including operating standards, staff readiness, risk management, incident review, and coordination with Animal Health and other Aquarium teams.
• Develop policies supporting animal care and wellbeing in partnership with the SVP/Chief Mission Officer and other ACW leadership, including collaboration with peers in Environment and Facilities.
• Develop and update an Institutional Collection Plan supporting animal wellbeing, species and habitat conservation, population sustainability, and education.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term animal exhibit plans with the SVP/Chief Mission Officer, ACW leadership, and the Planning & Design Department.
• Ensure animal care, animal health, rescue, and dive safety practices comply with applicable federal and state requirements and AZA standards.
• Define animal welfare requirements for habitats and work with the Vice President of Facilities, Environmental Quality and Water Science to address water quality, life support, facility, and infrastructure risks.
• Oversee and manage associated budgets.
• Collaborate with other National Aquarium teams to support organizational priorities and goals, including long-term planning and sustainable operations.
• Partner with Communications and Learning & Engagement on public programs, media requests, and other public-facing messaging promoting Aquarium initiatives.
• Partner with Philanthropy on donor cultivation, grant proposals, and other funding opportunities.
• Represent the National Aquarium with media, government agencies, other organizations, and AZA as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the SVP/Chief Mission Officer.
• Support the company mission and adhere to organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Flexible paid leave.
• Up to four weeks of paid family leave.
• Health care coverage for single and family plans after 30 days of full-time work.
• Conservation day leave.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive