Chief Executive Officer

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leading nonprofit conservation, education, and animal-care institution dedicated to inspiring communities to save wildlife for future generations. DZCA operates at a major civic level with a diverse conservation, education, and guest-facing operation and aims to balance mission, visibility, and enterprise. DZCA serves over 1.8 million guests annually, with a campus housing more than 2,500 animals representing 450 species.

Its multidisciplinary staff includes conservationists, educators, animal-care experts, and operational professionals. DZCA invests in scientific research, habitat restoration, species recovery, and environmental education, while strengthening its role as a convening voice on biodiversity, climate resilience, and human-wildlife coexistence. DZCA is AZA accredited and American Humane Certified™. The organization manages a robust portfolio of conservation programs across Colorado and internationally, with an annual operating budget of approximately $80–90 million.

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance seeks a seasoned, mission-driven President & Chief Executive Officer to lead DZCA through its next phase of stability, strategic execution, and long-term growth.

Essential Duties

The incoming CEO will lead and align animal care, conservation science, education, philanthropy, guest experience, and operations under a clear and executable vision. The role requires building organizational alignment, leadership stability, and effective strategy execution, while serving as a trusted partner to the Board and a visible, respected leader in the Denver community and broader conservation sector.

• Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Execution
  Lead execution of DZCA’s strategic plan and long-term master planning, translating vision into clear priorities, milestones, and outcomes. Provide steady leadership during organizational alignment and leadership stabilization. Balance mission impact, guest experience, financial sustainability, and operational complexity across a large public institution. Strengthen DZCA’s position as a regional and national leader in conservation, science, education, and public engagement.
• Executive Leadership, Culture & Talent
  Oversee all organizational functions (operations, finance, animal care, conservation, education, philanthropy, administration). Build, stabilize, and lead a high-performing executive team aligned to shared values, accountability, and collaboration. Foster a culture grounded in trust, transparency, inclusion, and performance. Ensure systems and decision-making processes support clarity, accountability, and long-term health.
• Philanthropy & Revenue Strategy
  Lead and support major fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation, and diversified revenue strategies. Build relationships with donors, foundations, corporate partners, and public funders. Ensure philanthropic strategy aligns with organizational priorities and long-term capital needs.
• External Affairs, Government & Community Relations
  Serve as the principal ambassador and spokesperson for DZCA. Build and maintain relationships with the City of Denver, public agencies, and civic leadership. Collaborate with SCFD Tier I leaders and elevate DZCA’s profile within national and international conservation networks through partnerships and advocacy.
• Board Partnership & Governance
  Partner with the Board of Governors through transparent communication and strategic counsel. Support governance, board engagement, and leadership succession planning. Provide the Board with clear insight into performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Guest Experience & Brand Stewardship
  Ensure high-quality, inclusive, and engaging guest experiences. Uphold DZCA’s reputation for excellence in animal care, education, and conservation. Champion a cohesive brand reflecting DZCA’s identity as a community institution with a conservation focus.

• Significant senior executive experience in complex, mission-driven, guest-facing organizations (zoos, aquariums, museums, conservation groups, theme parks, or similar).
• Strong commitment to wildlife, biodiversity, conservation, and environmental…