Director of Reproductive Sciences and Conservation Genetics

Job Title:

Director of Reproductive Sciences and Conservation GeneticsFLSA Status:
Exempt Classification:
Full-time

Hours:

Monday - Friday Pay Rate:
Range starts at $98,782/year

Summary:

The Omaha Zoological Society (OZS) is the private nonprofit organization overseeing Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (OHDZA) and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. Under the single mission to bring people closer to animals, nature and each other so that together we can shape a better future for all life, applied, science-based conservation efforts are essential to deliver on its mission.

The Director of Reproductive Sciences and Conservation Genetics is a key position within our team, responsible for the overall direction, implementation and refinement of applied scientific advancement programs spanning both campuses.

This position is based in the Grewcock Center for Conservation Research at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, in Omaha, Nebraska. The Zoo is home to nearly 40,000 animals representing over 1,000 different species. This position oversees scientific programming and manages a team of reproductive and genetic researchers. The reproductive science program currently manages and operates an active endocrinology lab and has access to additional laboratory spaces for reproductive sample management as well as storage (liquid nitrogen and freezer space).

The genetics program houses laboratory spaces with equipment capacity for molecular genetic analysis, advanced computational infrastructure, and clinical diagnostic testing. Biobanking efforts are a key function of OZS scientific endeavors under both the reproductive and conservation genetics.

The Director of Reproductive Sciences and Conservation Genetics is expected to lead and refine the direction of OZS’s scientists to maintain a leadership role within zoo-based applied conservation and position the organization for impact. The ideal candidate must have demonstrable academic expertise at the intersection of reproductive sciences, genetics, and related biotechnology fields, and must embrace a multi-disciplinary approach to solving conservation challenges around species conservation and recovery efforts, sustainability of zoo-based populations, and species biodiversity.

The leader must demonstrate expertise in securing and managing grants and ability to manage departmental budgets and operations.

The ideal candidate is an empathetic, self-aware leader who excels at building an inclusive, high-trust culture. This individual fosters open communication, expertly manages relationships and resolves conflicts with adaptability, and is deeply committed to mentoring and accelerating team engagement and professional growth within their team. The individual must also be a skilled relationship builder that works effectively across departments to fulfill the shared mission.

The Director is also expected to cultivate strong relationships with external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, industry partners, and the community, while representing the organization in professional forums. This role requires the ability to develop and articulate a clear vision for departmental initiatives, set measurable goals, and align them with broader organizational objectives to achieve impactful outcomes.

This position currently oversees a team of Scientists (2), Laboratory Technicians (2; one of which is currently vacant), a Coordinator of Sciences (currently being recruited for), a Scientific Services Operations Specialist, a Genetics Research Assistant, and a Bioinformatician. The program oversees propagation and genetic management through both natural and assisted reproduction at both facilities. The department is also responsible for conducting basic…