Vice President of Information Technology

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium — Vice President of Information Technology

Job Title: Vice President of Information Technology

FLSA Status: Exempt

Hours: Full-time

Pay Rate: Range starts at $160,000/year and will be based on experience and qualifications

Summary:

The Vice President of Information Technology (VP of IT) provides strategic vision and leadership for all technology initiatives across the Omaha Zoological Society, ensuring that core systems, infrastructure, and security frameworks effectively support the organization’s mission, experience, and operational priorities. This role leads and develops the IT team, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and future-focused environment that embraces emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency, enhance the visitor experience, and enable data-driven decision-making.

The VP of IT works closely with organizational leaders to align technology strategies with enterprise goals, ensuring that investments and system enhancements directly support long-term organizational needs. This position oversees cybersecurity, risk management, and regulatory compliance while advancing the adoption and integration of technology platforms that strengthen organizational performance, resilience, and sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (include but not limited to):

• Responsible for the performance, reliability, and strategic direction of all technology systems, including infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, data systems, and analytics.
• Review current, evaluate future, and implement new mission-aligned technology solutions that enhance operational efficiency, improve the visitor experience, and strengthen organizational performance across the Zoo and Safari Park.
• Champion technology-forward and user-centric philosophies across the organization by influencing and implementing strategies that embed effective, secure, and intuitive technology into daily operations.
• Establish and maintain systems to gather and interpret technology performance and user-feedback, identifying improvement opportunities and proactively addressing friction points in technology workflows.
• Serve as a point of escalation for critical technology issues, ensuring timely resolution and implementing long-term solutions that reduce operational disruptions.
• Support the organization’s long-term success by leading or participating in strategic planning efforts that strengthen financial health, operational efficiency, and guest experience through technology.
• Develop and report on industry-standard IT performance metrics to monitor system reliability, security posture, technology adoption, and service delivery.
• Optimize IT performance by collaborating with direct reports to ensure staffing, workload, and resources align with team capacity and departmental budgets.
• Build and maintain strategic technology partnerships that support and advance the Zoo’s mission, including relationships with software providers, hardware vendors, consultants, and managed services partners.
• Manage vendor negotiations and ensure strong, sustainable partnerships, securing favorable contracts and service levels that meet organizational needs.
• Lead annual IT staffing strategy and participate in hiring and onboarding, ensuring the department has the technical expertise and cross-functional skills to meet organizational demands.
• Collaborate with leaders and staff across all departments to ensure technology solutions are aligned, integrated, and supportive of cohesive workplace operations.
• Regularly communicate IT performance, risks, and opportunities to the senior leadership team, providing clear recommendations and data-informed insights.
• Foster an inclusive culture by prioritizing communication, trust, collaboration, and principles of inclusive leadership within the IT department and in cross-departmental work.
• Promote workforce inclusion initiatives by ensuring technology systems and digital experiences are accessible, equitable, and user-friendly for both staff and guests.
• Lead the IT team with proactive, transparent, and consistent communication, ensuring staff understand…