Director of Engagement and Entertainment

Director of Engagement and Entertainment

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

Full-time

• Collaboratively develop and steward a multi-year vision and strategic roadmap for guest engagement, entertainment, interpretation, and immersive experiences across campus.
• Define how DZCA creates moments of connection, joy, curiosity, and empathy, translating mission and values into engaging guest-facing experiences.
• Ensure engagement strategies align with broader organizational priorities, campus planning, operating calendars, and major milestone celebrations.

• Lead, coach, and develop large teams of interpretive, event, and AV/technology professionals, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that supports professional growth and innovative thinking.
• Build scalable team structures, training pathways, and performance expectations that support both daily operations and long-term innovation.
• Review department organization to ensure staffing levels, schedules, and staffing structure provide for the organization's standard operations.

• Lead the strategic direction for onsite interpretation, emphasizing immersive, interactive, and curiosity-driven storytelling.
• Ensure conservation messages are delivered in ways that are fun, accessible, emotionally resonant, culturally relevant, and appropriate for diverse audiences.
• Partner cross-functionally to align interpretive content with animal care, conservation science, education, and brand voice.

• Create and oversee a multi-year strategy for signature events, seasonal programs, and traveling exhibits, balancing guest experience excellence with revenue optimization.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop novel and unique engagement concepts that drive visitation, repeat attendance, and community connection.
• Collaborate with Audience Development, In-park Revenue, Operations, Belonging, Communications leaders, and external partners to ensure events and exhibits are operationally sound, financially viable, and guest-focused.

• Set vision for audio-visual, interactive, and immersive technologies, ensuring experiences are multi-sensory and seamlessly integrated into the guest journey.
• Ensure A/V operations strategically support the Zoo’s mission and enhance the guest experience by aligning technology and staff talent.

• Oversee the development of a diverse portfolio of public programs that engage a wide range of audiences, ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Ensure programs and experiences are designed with accessibility, inclusion, and cultural relevance at the forefront.
• Use guest feedback, attendance data, and evaluation insights to evolve offerings and expand audience reach continuously.

• Other assistance, as designated by manager, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. DZCA retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
• Acts as a good steward of the DZCA's resources.
• This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations.
• The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of DZCA.

• 4-year degree in Interpretation/Education, Hospitality/Tourism, Experience Design, Non-Profit Management, or Theater/Performing Arts preferred, or in a related field, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Requires a minimum of 7 years’ experience in public engagement, guest experience, interpretation, entertainment, program development, event production, and/or experiential design. 5+ years of progressive leadership experience managing large teams (20 or more staff), multi-disciplinary programs, budget, and strategy, and cross-departmental initiatives. Experience working in a high-volume attraction such as an amusement park, zoo, aquarium,…