Chief Operating Officer

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), one of the world’s largest international conservation organizations, seeks a mission-driven and dynamic leader to serve as its next Chief Operating Officer (COO). As the internal leader of SDZWA, the COO position represents an extraordinary opportunity to advance impactful conservation on a global scale by enhancing operational excellence, leading the deliberate use of technology to support conservation and guest experience, and facilitating a culture of cohesive mission focus across the large and complex organization.

SDZWA seeks to be the most effective wildlife conservation organization for the world by prioritizing partnerships, transdisciplinary solutions, and the interconnectedness of people and nature. From running one of the world’s most successful white rhino breeding programs, with over 100 calves born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, to hatching more than 250 California condor chicks after the species population dropped to just 22 in 1982, SDZWA has a nearly unmatched history of species conservation success. SDZWA also oversees the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center for Conservation Research, the largest zoo-based, multidisciplinary conservation science center of its kind in the world, which serves as home base for the Wildlife Biodiversity Bank, encompassing the Frozen Zoo® and Native Plant Seed Bank. The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park make the mission, conservation work, and partnerships possible, while SDZWA’s global conservation work demonstrates the importance and impact of saving wildlife, as well as provides powerful stories to share with audiences.

The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park together welcome 5.5 million visitors annually, are responsible for $203 million in revenue from admission and membership and $138 million from in-park revenues, and employ more than 3,000 employees. In addition to ensuring the operational excellence and cultural health of these organizations, the COO oversees the execution of the organizational strategic and master plans, lead efforts in marketing, communications, licensing, sales, and business development, oversees expanding education efforts, and plays a leading role in advancing local partnerships and developing new strategic efforts, including the organization’s partnerships with the local biotech community to sequence genetic material in the Frozen Zoo and efforts to license intellectual property developed at SDZWA.

For this pivotal role, the Alliance seeks an experienced and strategic leader who brings experience enhancing organizational culture and expertise in effective management within a complex, mission-driven global enterprise. The next COO must be a comfortable external representative, an outstanding collaborator, and combine a keen business savvy and creative approach to business development with a passion for advancing the mission of SDZWA.

A small search committee has been established to conduct the search. The committee is assisted by Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm. Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence via the link below.

Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Natalie Leonhard is leading this search with Hayden Lizotte and Kendra Moleé.

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our employees, our guests, our community, and our wildlife.

SDZWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SDZWA will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ethnicity, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, marital status, parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.