Executive Director

The Zoo Society is a nonprofit organization and the philanthropic partner of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. While Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is operated by Parks Tacoma, the Zoo Society is a separate nonprofit organization that raises funds and generates community support to advance the Zoo’s mission. The Zoo Society supports animal care and welfare, conservation initiatives, education and youth programs, community access, and capital improvements.

The Zoo Society envisions a community where people of all ages and backgrounds are connected to wildlife and the botanical world, inspired by conservation, and invested in a thriving zoo for generations to come. As the partner of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Zoo Society engages the community to secure the resources needed to advance animal care, access, education, and conservation.

The Zoo Society is seeking an experienced, relationship-driven Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase of growth and impact. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide overall leadership, including fundraising and donor development, community engagement, organizational strategy, staff leadership, financial stewardship, and partnership with Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Parks Tacoma. For the right leader, this is an opportunity to not simply to manage an established organization, but to help define the Zoo Society’s next era of philanthropy, community engagement and impact.

Serving as a visible ambassador and active fundraiser, the Executive Director will strengthen relationships with donors, community leaders, businesses, and civic partners while building a more intentional fundraising and major gifts program. The leader will also navigate the Zoo Society’s unique public-private environment, building trust and alignment across partners while maintaining momentum around zoo priorities.

The Executive Director will lead a small, committed team and partner closely with the Board, preserving the Zoo Society’s collaborative and flexible culture while strengthening priorities, accountability, communication, and capacity for future growth.

The new Executive Director should begin by listening and learning, developing a strong understanding of the Society and its relationships with the Zoo, Board, community, donor base, staff and the broader environment in which it operates. Building upon that foundation, the Executive Director will focus on the following priorities:

• Strengthen Zoo and Key Partner Relationships: Build strong, trusted relationships with Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Parks Tacoma, and other key government and public-sector partners. The Executive Director will need to understand the roles, priorities, and decision-making processes of these different partners and effectively navigate a complex operating environment. Particular attention should be given to strengthening communication and alignment with Zoo leadership around priorities, projects, timelines, and philanthropic opportunities.
  
  The incoming executive should also build strong partnerships with the Board, keeping members engaged, informed, and aligned around priorities and direction.
• Deepen Community Connections and Outreach: Increase The Zoo Society’s visibility throughout Tacoma and the surrounding community by building relationships with civic organizations, foundations, businesses, community leaders, and prospective supporters. The Executive Director should serve as an active ambassador for the organization, expand its network, and help the community better understand the Society’s role and impact in supporting the Zoo.
• Strengthen…