Vice President of Wildlife Education Programs

About the role

This role partners with Education Directors across the Zoo, Park, Conservation Science, and Society, bringing a mission-centered, cross-divisional perspective to program development and strategic planning. Success is achieved through expert consultation, collaborative relationships, and the ability to influence and align diverse teams toward shared educational goals. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and indirectly oversees Education Directors.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior advisor and thought partner to Education Directors across the Zoo, Park, Conservation Science, and Society, providing expert guidance on program quality, curriculum strategy, and alignment with the organization's conservation mission with indirect supervisory authority.
• Oversee Library Staff, including but not limited to, hiring, performance management, coaching, mentoring and training; Directs the day-to-day operations of the library, ensuring efficient, safe and customer focused services.
• Develops and advances long-range and short-term strategic plans that reflect a cohesive, organization-wide vision for wildlife education, translating organizational priorities into actionable strategies that Directors can implement within their respective teams.
• Builds and sustains trusted relationships across the Zoo, Park, Conservation Science, and Society to foster alignment and drive results through influence and collaboration, navigating distinct organizational cultures with a solutions-oriented, mission-focused approach.
• Participates actively in cross-functional leadership conversations to ensure educational perspectives are represented in key decisions, and serves as a strategic bridge between Society-level planning and Zoo, Park, and Conservation Science operations.
• Assesses the community and conservation impact of wildlife education programs, analyzing data and stakeholder feedback to identify opportunities for growth and improvement, and prepares reports and presentations tailored to a range of audiences.
• Provides guidance and subject matter expertise in the development of educational graphics, signage, and interpretive content, establishing quality and consistency standards across all channels that reflect the organization's values and conservation mission.
• Coordinate Alliance-wide education related philanthropic activities, including grants, stewardship events and proposals.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years' experience in Education or related field required.
• Experience in a zoo, museum, or other information learning center preferred.
• Graduate degree in Education or related field required.
• Teaching certification required upon hire.

Skills and knowledge

• Learning theories and interpretative technique.
• Familiarity with educational evaluations of informal and formal programs.
• Deep understanding of State and National educational standards for multiple disciplines (CCSS and NGSS).
• A track record of leading diverse teams to implement ambitious change.
• Proficiency in office software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and presentation software.
• Ability to develop, coordinate, and implement education programming in person and virtually as well as connect field trip and assembly content to standards-based classroom content.
• Ability to develop, monitor, and administer budgets.
• Subject matter knowledge in conservation, sustainability and environmental education.
• Leadership skills and proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and others.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written).
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, priorities, and stakeholder needs while building alignment, strengthening cross-team collaboration, and driving successful outcomes across SDZWA Education teams.
• Expertise in education fundraising, donor stewardship, and grant and award administration, including compliance, reporting, and relationship management.

Benefits

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program

Location: San Diego, CA
Position Type: Salaried Full-Time Exempt
Salary Range: $173,982 to $195,730