Vice President of Learning & Impact
About The Position
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is seeking an innovative executive leader to shape the future of conservation engagement. Reporting directly to the President/CEO, the Vice President of Learning & Impact is a key organizational leader responsible for advancing the institution’s mission through education, engagement, sustainability, and measurable conservation impact. The Learning & Impact Department serves learners, volunteers, guests, and community members through educational programs, interpretive experiences, volunteer engagement, sustainability initiatives, and community partnerships. The role leads the strategic direction and daily oversight of the department and serves on the Executive Leadership team. The Vice President supports several department leaders and their teams, builds cross-departmental and external partnerships, uses evaluation and organizational metrics to guide decisions, and manages divisional budgets, staffing plans, strategic initiatives, and resources. The position also represents The Living Desert publicly and supports fundraising, grant development, partnerships, and impact reporting. The successful candidate will help create meaningful experiences that deepen connections to wildlife and nature and inspire lasting conservation stewardship and action. The position is suited to an innovative executive comfortable developing long-term vision, leading teams, building partnerships, securing resources, and translating ideas into measurable outcomes.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Biology, Environmental Science, Conservation, Sustainability, Nonprofit Leadership, Organizational Development, or a related field.
- At least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, conservation organization, nonprofit, educational institution, or related setting.
- Demonstrated success leading multiple departments, programs, and professional teams.
- Experience with strategic planning, organizational leadership, budgeting, evaluation, and talent development.
- Knowledge of conservation education, volunteer engagement, interpretation, sustainability, and behavior change, paired with a passion for inspiring conservation action.
- Strong experience developing partnerships, securing resources, and advancing organizational goals.
- Exceptional communication, leadership, relationship-building, and public presentation skills.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree or Ph.D.
Responsibilities
- Serve on the Executive Leadership team and lead the strategic direction and daily oversight of the Learning & Impact Department.
- Advance conservation education, volunteer engagement, interpretation, sustainability, and community impact.
- Provide leadership and support to the Curator of Learning & Community Engagement, Curator of Volunteer & Interpretive Programs, Sustainability & Behavior Change Manager, and their teams.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Use evaluation, research, and organizational metrics to measure outcomes and inform decision-making.
- Collaborate across departments to align guest experience, conservation priorities, animal care, sustainability, and organizational goals.
- Build relationships with schools, universities, conservation partners, community organizations, donors, foundations, and government agencies.
- Support fundraising, grant development, strategic partnerships, and impact reporting.
- Represent The Living Desert through public presentations, media opportunities, professional conferences, community partnerships, and AZA engagement.
- Manage divisional budgets, staffing plans, strategic initiatives, and organizational resources.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
