President and Chief Executive Officer

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a prominent global conservation organization and one of New York City’s premier cultural institutions, seeks a dynamic new President & CEO [President]. Since its founding in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society, WCS has been dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places worldwide.

Today, with a budget of approximately $330 million, WCS deploys more than 4000 staff, most of them outside the United States as nationals in the countries in which they serve. The organization combines field research and conservation management in nearly 60 countries and across the world’s oceans with world-class curatorial science and programming in four zoos and an aquarium in New York City.

This is a rare opportunity to lead an institution with a remarkable history, multi-country presence, and the resources and commitment to achieve an ever-greater level of influence and impact.  Candidates must bring a demonstrated passion for wildlife and nature conservation and a sense of urgency about the interwoven crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, public health, and inequity. Preferred experience includes a leadership track record in a multi-faceted, sizable institution, preferably one that operates across diverse geographies and cultures.  As a key spokesperson for WCS and wildlife and biodiversity conservation, the President will have an important platform from which to influence nature conservation globally and enhance public understanding and support.  This requires outstanding diplomatic and communication skills as well as enthusiasm for fund raising from public and private sources.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries should be shared in confidence below.

Karen Wilcox is leading this search with Nella Young and Damla Williams.


WCS values diversity and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status and other protected classifications. The WCS community is committed to ensuring that no one, including our valued employees, diverse suppliers, interested job applicants and guests to our facilities, is excluded or discriminated against in WCS’s programs and activities. We welcome and encourage a diverse pool of candidates in this search.