Vice President of Animal Care

About the role

The Vice President of Animal Care is a visionary leader who champions the highest standards of marine life well-being, scientific excellence, collaboration, and conservation impact. This role drives the strategic development of our Animal Care Division, inspiring a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Divisional Management
  • Lead the Animal Care Division through comprehensive strategic planning, divisional goal-setting, and administration of a $12M+ budget.
  • Supervise key department directors, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous learning, and professional development across Dive Programs, Veterinary Services, and Husbandry Operations.
• Living Exhibit & Aquarium Innovation
  • Lead the development of dynamic and compelling living exhibits, in close collaboration with Exhibitions, with an emphasis on scientific accuracy, superlative aesthetic standards, and the highest standards of animal well-being practices.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to support a world-class and transformative guest experience that aligns with conservation goals, cutting edge and innovative animal care discoveries, and scientific advancement.
• Scientific & Organizational Integrity
  • Maintain rigorous accreditation standards, agency compliance permits and licensing, and animal well-being, human safety, and exhibit protocols.
  • Lead and participate in critical institutional committees, ensuring the highest levels of scientific accuracy, ethical animal management, and research oversight.
• Involve Animal Care Team in Conservation Programs
  • Support the animal care team's involvement in conservation programs both run by the Aquarium and with outside partners.
• Cohoperation & Engagement
  • Develop strategic partnerships with marketing, conservation and science, education, exhibitions, and guest experience teams to amplify our public engagement, scientific communication, and conservation impact.
  • Support research initiatives, including critical programs like sea otter rehabilitation and MBARI collaborations.
• Equity & Belonging Leadership
  • Champion a workplace culture of belonging, trust, and continuous growth.
  • Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles throughout the Animal Care Division and institution-wide, creating an environment that attracts and develops exceptional talent.

Candidate Profile

• Ten years of senior management experience in a large aquarium setting.
• Expert-level understanding of marine animal husbandry across diverse temperate eastern Pacific ecosystems.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-project environments with shifting priorities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of animal well-being science and public aquarium best practices.
• Demonstrated leadership in AZA and relevant professional organizations.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Proven track record of developing high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Deep commitment to maintaining organizational core values and leadership competencies.
• Experience in marine conservation research and rehabilitation programs.

Preferred, but not required:

• Background in complex life support system design and management.
• Publication record in peer-reviewed marine science journals.
• International experience in marine ecosystem management.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $220,000 - $270,000 with a generous benefits package. The exact salary that will be offered to the Vice President of Animal Care will be determined based on a consideration of the successful candidate’s skills, experience, and geography and aligned with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s compensation policies.

Contact

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Erin Reedy and Christy Farell. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.