Chief Guest Engagement & Revenue Optimization

The Zoo encompasses a 485-acre campus and is home to nearly 5,000 animals with about 1.5 million guests visiting annually. The Zoo is a coordinator of international conservation and breeding programs and is the States largest environmental educator. The Zoos conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems and its education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout our region, and around the world.

Job Class:
Agency Division Director Senior

Agency:
Minnesota Zoological Garden

• Job : 96269
• Location
  :
  Apple Valley
• Telework Eligible
  :
  No
• Full/Part Time
  :
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary
  :
  Unlimited
• Who May Apply
  :
  Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted
  : 08/21/2026
• Closing Date
  : 09/10/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit
  :
  Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoo Gardens-Managerial
• Division/Unit
  :
  Zoo Division Directors / Revenue Optimization
• Work Shift/Work Hours
  :
  Day Shift; 8:30 A.M.
  
  - 5:00 P.M.
• Days of Work
  :
  Monday
  - Friday
• Travel Required
  :
  Yes - up to 25% time
• Salary Range: $55.68 - $79.79 / hourly; $116,259 - $166,601 / annually
• Classified Status
  :
  Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union
  : 220 - Manager/Unrep
• FLSA Status
  :
  Exempt
  - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities
  :
  Yes

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Relocation assistance may be available to support the selected candidates move to the area. Eligibility and the level of assistance will be determined based on the circumstances of the relocation and applicable policies.

This position is responsible for driving an exceptional, modern, and mission-centered guest experience at the Minnesota Zoo while maximizing revenue generated through admissions, membership, events, educational programming, and third-party food, beverage, and retail operations. This position serves on the Directors Advisory Team as a principal advisor and strategist for guest engagement, revenue generation, educational program creation and delivery, brand position, and go-to-market strategy.

This position plans, directs, and implements strategies to generate statewide, national, and international engagement with the Zoos educational and conservation mission.

This position supports operations across a large campus environment and requires the employee to travel between multiple buildings and work sites located throughout the campus to perform assigned duties and respond to operational needs. The incumbent must be able to travel between campus locations in a timely and reliable manner to carry out essential job functions. When job duties require the operation of a motor vehicle to access work sites, transport equipment, or respond to service needs, the employee must be able to safely operate a vehicle and possess a valid and unrestricted drivers license.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Direct and manage the division staffing in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and labor contracts to ensure a high-performing division structured for scalability, cross-functional collaboration, and long-term sustainability.
• Establish and direct a comprehensive guest experience strategy across all guest-facing departments to ensure experiences are mission-aligned, financially sustainable, operationally excellent, and responsive to public accountability standards.
• Establish and direct the Zoos earned revenue strategy to maximize revenue generated through admissions, membership, events and educational programming, and third-party food, beverage, and retail operations.
• Provide executive leadership for the creation, delivery, and evaluation of educational programming aligned with conservation priorities and financial sustainability.
• Provide executive oversight of major third-party partners including retail, food, and beverage operations and other service delivery partners.
• Serve as a key member of the Directors Advisory Team to develop and lead Zoo-wide strategies and policies and to ensure management decisions and actions are aligned with state values and the priorities of the Director and Deputy Director.