Executive Director
Association Of Zoos & Aquariums, Victoria, TX, United States
The Texas Zoo
Executive Director
Position Summary
The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Texas Zoo, providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and executive oversight during a period of transformational growth. This role is heavily focused on leading the planning, public positioning, and execution of a major capital campaign to fund and build a new zoo facility and expand the organization’s long‑term impact.
Approximately 80% of this role is dedicated to campaign leadership, donor and stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and serving as the zoo's primary ambassador to internal and external audiences. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, campaign leadership, major donors, public officials, community partners, and staff to secure philanthropic, corporate, civic, and community support for the new zoo initiative.
The remaining 20% of the role includes executive oversight of organizational operations, staff leadership, financial stewardship, and alignment of zoo programs and resources with strategic goals.
Compensation This position offers a target salary of $63,000 annually, with final compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with supplementary benefits.
FLSA Status Exempt
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Capital Campaign Leadership, Strategic Growth & External Relations (Approximately 80%) Serve as the executive leader and chief strategist for a comprehensive capital campaign to secure funding for the development and construction of a new zoo.
Partner with the Board of Directors and campaign leadership to establish campaign priorities, goals, timelines, and fundraising strategies.
Build and manage a portfolio of major donors, prospects, foundations, corporations, and public funding opportunities.
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gifts and transformational investments.
Collaborate with fundraising counsel, campaign consultants, architects, planners, and other external advisors to ensure campaign readiness and momentum.
Develop and communicate a compelling case for support that articulates the vision, mission impact, educational value, conservation benefits, and community significance of the new zoo.
Track campaign progress, ensure accountability to milestones, and provide regular updates to the Board and stakeholders.
Partnership Development Identify, establish, and strengthen strategic partnerships with:
Municipal and county leaders
Economic development organizations
Educational institutions
Conservation and animal welfare organizations
Tourism and hospitality partners
Corporate sponsors
Community and civic organizations
Build collaborative relationships that advance the zoo’s capital project, visibility, sustainability, and long‑term community impact.
Negotiate and steward partnership opportunities that support fundraising, programming, advocacy, and project development.
Representation & Public Leadership Serve as the primary spokesperson and public face of the zoo.
Represent the zoo in meetings, presentations, community forums, media opportunities, donor engagements, and governmental settings.
Build enthusiasm and public trust for the zoo’s mission and future vision among diverse stakeholders.
Lead internal and external messaging in partnership with Board leadership and communications resources.
Promote the zoo as a valued community asset in education, conservation, tourism, family engagement, and regional quality of life.
Maintain strong relationships with staff, volunteers, donors, members, elected officials, and community leaders.
Partner closely with the Board of Directors to advance governance, campaign strategy, and organizational priorities.
Support and mobilize board members and campaign volunteers in cultivation, solicitation, and advocacy efforts.
Prepare reports, campaign updates, strategic recommendations, and presentation materials for board and committee meetings.
Help recruit, engage, and retain influential campaign champions and volunteer leaders.
Organizational Leadership & Operations (Approximately 20%) Provide executive oversight for zoo operations, ensuring alignment with mission, strategic priorities, and campaign objectives.
Supervise senior staff and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and service excellence.
Oversee annual budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation in partnership with finance staff and the Board.
Ensure sound fiscal management and stewardship of organizational assets through monthly budget reports to the Board.
Monitor organizational performance and key metrics related to attendance, membership, fundraising, education, animal care, guest experience, and project readiness.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and organizational policies.
Support long‑range strategic planning and organizational sustainability beyond the capital campaign.
Work with operational leaders to align current programming and future zoo development plans.
Evaluation Process The Executive Director’s performance will be evaluated periodically against the duties and responsibilities outlined in the job description to promote a culture of excellence and constant improvement.
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, communications, fundraising, zoology, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive executive leadership experience in nonprofit, zoo, museum, cultural institution, higher education advancement, or a similarly complex mission‑driven organization.
Demonstrated success leading or playing a senior leadership role in a major capital campaign, comprehensive fundraising initiative, or large‑scale community development effort.
Proven experience cultivating and soliciting major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and/or public funding support.
Strong track record of building high‑level partnerships with civic, business, philanthropic, and community leaders.
Exceptional public speaking, relationship‑building, and ambassadorial skills.
Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors and volunteer leaders.
Strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, and financial management skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, botanical garden, science center, park system, or other public‑facing mission organization.
Familiarity with capital project planning, campaign feasibility, or facility expansion initiatives.
Knowledge of donor engagement strategy, campaign systems, and fundraising best practices.
Experience navigating municipal partnerships, public‑private collaborations, or bond/public funding conversations.
Understanding of animal care, conservation, education, or visitor‑based institutional environments.
Core Competencies
Visionary leadership
Capital campaign strategy and execution
Major gift cultivation and solicitation
Board relations and volunteer management
Community engagement and public representation
Partnership development and coalition building
Strategic communication and storytelling
Financial and organizational stewardship
Political acumen and diplomacy
Change leadership and project advocacy
Working Conditions / Expectations Frequent evening and weekend attendance at events, donor meetings, community engagements, and board functions.
Significant local and regional travel for donor cultivation, partnership meetings, and public representation.
Ability to work in a dynamic environment with evolving priorities tied to campaign and project development.
Ideal Candidate Profile The ideal candidate is a visionary external leader, relationship builder, and fundraiser who can inspire confidence in a bold community vision and mobilize philanthropic and public support to bring the new Texas Zoo to life. This individual is equally comfortable in the boardroom, at a donor table, in front of community stakeholders, and alongside staff—serving as a trusted leader, persuasive advocate, and strategic connector.
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Approximately 80% of this role is dedicated to campaign leadership, donor and stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and serving as the zoo's primary ambassador to internal and external audiences. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, campaign leadership, major donors, public officials, community partners, and staff to secure philanthropic, corporate, civic, and community support for the new zoo initiative.
The remaining 20% of the role includes executive oversight of organizational operations, staff leadership, financial stewardship, and alignment of zoo programs and resources with strategic goals.
Compensation This position offers a target salary of $63,000 annually, with final compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with supplementary benefits.
FLSA Status Exempt
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Capital Campaign Leadership, Strategic Growth & External Relations (Approximately 80%) Serve as the executive leader and chief strategist for a comprehensive capital campaign to secure funding for the development and construction of a new zoo.
Partner with the Board of Directors and campaign leadership to establish campaign priorities, goals, timelines, and fundraising strategies.
Build and manage a portfolio of major donors, prospects, foundations, corporations, and public funding opportunities.
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gifts and transformational investments.
Collaborate with fundraising counsel, campaign consultants, architects, planners, and other external advisors to ensure campaign readiness and momentum.
Develop and communicate a compelling case for support that articulates the vision, mission impact, educational value, conservation benefits, and community significance of the new zoo.
Track campaign progress, ensure accountability to milestones, and provide regular updates to the Board and stakeholders.
Partnership Development Identify, establish, and strengthen strategic partnerships with:
Municipal and county leaders
Economic development organizations
Educational institutions
Conservation and animal welfare organizations
Tourism and hospitality partners
Corporate sponsors
Community and civic organizations
Build collaborative relationships that advance the zoo’s capital project, visibility, sustainability, and long‑term community impact.
Negotiate and steward partnership opportunities that support fundraising, programming, advocacy, and project development.
Representation & Public Leadership Serve as the primary spokesperson and public face of the zoo.
Represent the zoo in meetings, presentations, community forums, media opportunities, donor engagements, and governmental settings.
Build enthusiasm and public trust for the zoo’s mission and future vision among diverse stakeholders.
Lead internal and external messaging in partnership with Board leadership and communications resources.
Promote the zoo as a valued community asset in education, conservation, tourism, family engagement, and regional quality of life.
Maintain strong relationships with staff, volunteers, donors, members, elected officials, and community leaders.
Partner closely with the Board of Directors to advance governance, campaign strategy, and organizational priorities.
Support and mobilize board members and campaign volunteers in cultivation, solicitation, and advocacy efforts.
Prepare reports, campaign updates, strategic recommendations, and presentation materials for board and committee meetings.
Help recruit, engage, and retain influential campaign champions and volunteer leaders.
Organizational Leadership & Operations (Approximately 20%) Provide executive oversight for zoo operations, ensuring alignment with mission, strategic priorities, and campaign objectives.
Supervise senior staff and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and service excellence.
Oversee annual budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation in partnership with finance staff and the Board.
Ensure sound fiscal management and stewardship of organizational assets through monthly budget reports to the Board.
Monitor organizational performance and key metrics related to attendance, membership, fundraising, education, animal care, guest experience, and project readiness.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and organizational policies.
Support long‑range strategic planning and organizational sustainability beyond the capital campaign.
Work with operational leaders to align current programming and future zoo development plans.
Evaluation Process The Executive Director’s performance will be evaluated periodically against the duties and responsibilities outlined in the job description to promote a culture of excellence and constant improvement.
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, communications, fundraising, zoology, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive executive leadership experience in nonprofit, zoo, museum, cultural institution, higher education advancement, or a similarly complex mission‑driven organization.
Demonstrated success leading or playing a senior leadership role in a major capital campaign, comprehensive fundraising initiative, or large‑scale community development effort.
Proven experience cultivating and soliciting major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and/or public funding support.
Strong track record of building high‑level partnerships with civic, business, philanthropic, and community leaders.
Exceptional public speaking, relationship‑building, and ambassadorial skills.
Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors and volunteer leaders.
Strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, and financial management skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, botanical garden, science center, park system, or other public‑facing mission organization.
Familiarity with capital project planning, campaign feasibility, or facility expansion initiatives.
Knowledge of donor engagement strategy, campaign systems, and fundraising best practices.
Experience navigating municipal partnerships, public‑private collaborations, or bond/public funding conversations.
Understanding of animal care, conservation, education, or visitor‑based institutional environments.
Core Competencies
Visionary leadership
Capital campaign strategy and execution
Major gift cultivation and solicitation
Board relations and volunteer management
Community engagement and public representation
Partnership development and coalition building
Strategic communication and storytelling
Financial and organizational stewardship
Political acumen and diplomacy
Change leadership and project advocacy
Working Conditions / Expectations Frequent evening and weekend attendance at events, donor meetings, community engagements, and board functions.
Significant local and regional travel for donor cultivation, partnership meetings, and public representation.
Ability to work in a dynamic environment with evolving priorities tied to campaign and project development.
Ideal Candidate Profile The ideal candidate is a visionary external leader, relationship builder, and fundraiser who can inspire confidence in a bold community vision and mobilize philanthropic and public support to bring the new Texas Zoo to life. This individual is equally comfortable in the boardroom, at a donor table, in front of community stakeholders, and alongside staff—serving as a trusted leader, persuasive advocate, and strategic connector.
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