Are you passionate about?

…Creating memories for guests that will last a lifetime?

…Saving wildlife and wild places?

…Inspiring guests to connect with nature and take action to impact the future of our world?

…Being part of a dynamic, growing zoo that welcomes diversity, equity, inclusion and personal contribution?

Reid Park Zoological Society is seeking a passionate and proactive Chief Operating Officer to lead a high-level team with a focus on guest experience. The position requires a four-year degree plus ten years’ progressive technical, operational and strategic leadership experience.

Reid Park Zoo, located in beautiful Tucson, Arizona is a mid-sized, regional zoological garden caring for over 200 exotic animal species from around the world in lush, naturalistic habitats. With a mission centered in conservation, the Zoo is Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participates in nearly 100 Species Survival Plans for threatened and endangered species. Reid Park Zoo maintains a state-of-the-art elephant program, a cutting-edge veterinary clinic that serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Arizona veterinary program, and is the co-leader of the Flamingo SAFE program. Attracting over 600,000 guests this past year, the Zoo is the midst of an exciting expansion project, Pathway to Asia, that will add four acres to its campus, bringing new species such as red panda, Komodo dragon and Lar gibbon, as well as a breeding facility for critically-endangered Malayan tigers when it opens in 2025. Be a part of a vibrant, growing organization as Reid Park Zoo implements a master plan that will be investing over $60M in new exhibits over the next five years.

Tucson features stunning high desert valley vistas surrounded by four mountain ranges that offer a year-round paradise for cyclists, hikers, bird-watchers and outdoor enthusiasts. Named the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy dedicated in the United States, the City is a delight for foodies with a lively and developing dining, arts and cultural scene, and a lovely wine country just thirty minutes away. With the University of Arizona and its championship sports, top-notch medical facilities, and affordable housing, Tucson is a great place to bring the family and put down roots– a big city, yet with a comfortable, small-town feel.

No phone calls or visits please. This position is open until filled. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff by creating an inclusive environment.

Reports To: President and CEO

Responsibilities: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) plays a critical role in Reid Park Zoo’s management team, overseeing business operations and ensuring seamless coordination of key departments: Guest Experience, Facilities, Human Resources, Marketing & Communications, and Project Management. The COO is a critical member of the Zoo’s senior management team, ensuring the Zoo has the staff and volunteers, marketing and brand presence, facilities and habitats to provide a guest experience that creates memories that last a lifetime.

At Reid Park Zoo, we strive to protect wild animals and wild places by inspiring and engaging our community to care about the animals they experience at the Zoo which will ignite a passion to take conservation action at home and around the world. The COO, working closely with the rest of the management team, is at the forefront of connecting people and animals to protect our planet.

** Essential Duties and Responsibilities**

• Drive the development and execution of strategic initiatives in alignment with the zoo's mission. Serving as a vital business partner alongside the CEO and Management Team, lead regular comprehensive business reviews, ensuring clear communication of initiatives, providing detailed updates on implementation progress, and actively removing barriers to foster operational success and accountability.
• Provide visionary leadership to the Guest Experience, Facilities, Project Management, Human Resources, and Marketing departments, fostering a culture of teamwork, innovation, and accountability. Lead a team of collaborators and cross-functional teams to enhance operational processes, optimize resource allocation, and drive continuous transformation of the organization's workflows and systems.
• Collaborate with the City of Tucson to navigate regulatory requirements and ensure compliance with the Zoo’s Management Contract and local ordinances governing zoo development projects. Act as liaison for Reid Park Zoo in various forums, advocating for the zoo’s strategies and cultivating partnerships with stakeholders to support organizational goals.
• Drive strategies to optimize the guest experience and enhance earned revenue, leveraging data-driven insights and industry best practices.
• Oversee vendor contractual obligations and renewals, seeking opportunities for new programs and earned revenue.
• Lead the development and prioritization of the facility master plan process. Contribute to the design, development, and construction of major new exhibits and exhibit renovations. Provide strong vision and collaboration across the Zoo team to ensure future visions for the Zoo are identified and articulated through the Zoo’s facility master planning processes. Ensure Zoo-wide collaboration and community input, while adhering to governance processes for approval of all plans.
• Lead the planning and execution of capital improvement projects, from concept development to completion, ensuring alignment with the Zoo's strategic priorities and budgetary constraints.
• Oversee the maintenance and enhancement of Zoo facilities, including exhibits, public spaces, and support areas, through strategic planning and preventive maintenance programs.
• Oversee marketing and communications for the Zoo, ensuring alignment with the Zoo’s strategic vision and driving guest engagement and communication.
• Oversee human resources for the Zoo, implementing innovative staff and volunteer programs that provide experiences that will advance the Zoo’s mission and increase impact.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

The potential employee must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:

• 4-year degree required, master’s degree preferred in Business Administration, or in a related field, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Ideally the Reid Park Zoo COO candidate has led an organization-wide Operations function (as COO) or will have served as a senior Operations leader/partner for an organization (as a significant direct report to the COO or equivalent). The candidate should have 10+ years of progressive technical, operational, and strategic leadership experience.
• Demonstrated leadership in a comparable organizational setting, preferably within a recreational attraction, aquarium, or zoo, showcasing a history of successful strategic planning and execution that prioritizes generational and multicultural viewpoints or any equivalent combination of experiences, life experiences, and/or special skills.
• Proven computer skills including familiarity with CRM databases are necessary.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Requires recognized organizational, written, and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate professionally to a wide range of audiences, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks.
• Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task and changing environment, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must have outstanding negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive information with diplomacy.
• Must be an exceptional collaborator, problem solver and leader in developing and executing new strategies to position Reid Park Zoo as a recognized innovator and leader in its field.
• Must have expert skills in managing large and complex teams and/or programs.
• Ability to use radio, telephone, and computer to communicate.
• Willing to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. This position description statement is intended to give a potential applicant a reasonable idea of what might be required.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. It is intended to give a reasonable idea of what might be required.

The hiring range for this position is $125,000 - $146,000 annually.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Dept. https://reidparkzoo.org/get-involved/employment/