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 will mark its 130th anniversary in 2026, in those years DZCA has played a vital role in the Denver community and beyond, serving as a beloved cultural destination, a trusted conservation partner, and a hub for scientific innovation.

Today, DZCA operates at the intersection of public trust and enterprise complexity - serving as a beloved civic institution for the Denver community while stewarding a large, multifaceted conservation and guest-facing operation.

Each year, DZCA welcomes over 1.8 million guests, engaging families, students, members, and visitors from across the Rocky Mountain region. DZCA stewards a campus of more than 2,500 animals representing 450 species, including many rare and endangered animals. Its multidisciplinary staff, comprised of conservationists, educators, animal-care experts, and operational professional, bring a shared commitment to wildlife protection and community-centered conservation.

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 a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation and is American Humane Certified.

With an annual operating budget of approximately $80-90 million, DZCA manages a robust portfolio of conservation programs across Colorado and internationally, advancing fieldwork, capacity building, and community-based partnerships.

You can learn more by visiting the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance website verzoo.org

Additional Context & Institutional Highlights:

* Historic Urban Campus:
Located in Denver's City Park, DZCA spans 84 acres and has been a cornerstone of the city's cultural landscape since 1896.

* Community Engagement: DZCA serves more than 250,000 learners annually through education programs, outreach initiatives, and community partnerships.

* Conservation Footprint: DZCA supports conservation initiatives on multiple continents focused on species recovery, human-wildlife coexistence, and capacity building.

* Innovation & Sustainability: DZCA continues to invest in future-focused infrastructure, sustainability efforts, and guest experience improvements to meet evolving community expectations and environmental realities.

* Financial Scale & Stewardship:
With an annual operating budget of approximately $80-90 million, DZCA manages a complex enterprise balancing mission, guest experience, conservation impact, and long-term capital planning.

* SCFD Support:
As one of the largest beneficiaries of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD)-the voter-approved tax district supporting arts, culture, and science organizations across the seven-county metro region-DZCA receives critical public funding that reinforces its ability to serve the community, keep access equitable, and advance its conservation and education mission.

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.

The CEO will serve as the enterprise leader responsible for aligning animal care, conservation science, education, philanthropy, guest experience, and operations under a clear and executable vision. This leader will inherit a strong foundation and guide DZCA through continued organizational alignment, leadership stabilization, and strategy execution.

The successful candidate will be a trusted partner to the Board of Governors; a steady, visible presence within the Denver community; and a respected voice across regional and national conservation, cultural, and nonprofit sectors. The CEO will model transparent, values-driven leadership while ensuring DZCA remains both a beloved public institution and a high-performing conservation organization.

As a trusted leader in conservation science, wildlife care, and experiential learning, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is poised for its next chapter, one that leverages a strong foundation, a loyal membership base, expanding community partnerships, and a growing national reputation. With a century of legacy and a renewed strategic vision underway, DZCA is committed to shaping the future of conservation in Denver, across the West, and around the world.

Essential Duties

The incoming CEO will build on this momentum, driving forward strategic priorities that include:

Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Execution

* Lead execution of DZCA's strategic plan and long-term master planning initiatives, translating vision into clear priorities, milestones, and outcomes.

* Provide steady, confident leadership during a period of organizational alignment and leadership stabilization.

* Balance mission impact, guest experience, financial…