Vice President of Development and Corporate Partnerships

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Vice President of Development and Corporate Partnerships

Position: Vice President of Development & Corporate Partnerships

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Why Utah? Utah is home to five national parks, world‑class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family‑friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away.

Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs, perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service‑oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home.

About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission‑driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.

Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world, including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the opening of the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, the Aquarium became the largest in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact.

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is seeking a strategic and results‑driven Vice President of Development and Corporate Partnerships to lead the organization’s philanthropic efforts and capital campaigns while serving as a key member of the senior leadership team. The Vice President of Development and Corporate Partnerships serves as the Aquarium’s senior leader responsible for all fundraising and philanthropic. This role is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive, multi‑year development strategy to support the Aquarium’s mission, strategic priorities, and long‑term financial sustainability.

In partnership with the COO, CEO, and Board of Directors, the VP of Development and Corporate Partnerships leads all philanthropic revenue streams and is accountable for achieving annual and long‑term fundraising goals, expanding donor engagement, and building a scalable, high‑performing development program.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required
• Advanced degree in nonprofit management, business, or related field preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gifts and campaigns
• At least 5 years of senior leadership experience managing teams and development operations
• Demonstrated success securing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts
• Proven experience leading capital campaigns and complex fundraising initiatives
• Experience partnering with executive leadership and Boards of Directors
• Strong understanding of donor markets, relationship‑based fundraising, and philanthropic trends
• Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and data‑driven fundraising strategies
• Excellent communication, relationship‑building, and public speaking skills
• Ability to develop and manage the plan for a $20 million+ Capital Campaign project
• Ability to work constructively with co‑workers, Aquarium members and the public
• Excellent organizational, time management, planning, and multi‑tasking skills
• Must use discretion and demonstrate ability to work with sensitive and confidential financial information