Senior Vice President of Animal Care

Senior Vice President of Animal Care
Name of Hiring Organization: Chicago Zoological Society-Brookfield Zoo
Location of Job: Brookfield, IL (1/2-hour south of Chicago’s downtown loop area)

Job Description:
The Chicago Zoological Society seeks an experienced professional for an exciting opportunity at the Brookfield Zoo as Senior Vice President of Animal Care. The successful candidate will serve as a member of the Society’s Executive Management Team and the senior leader for the Animal Care group. Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, this position will work with other key leadership to establish the direction of the Animal Care group and assure integration of activities with the Society’s Master Plan, Strategic Plan, operating plans, and in furtherance of the Society’s mission to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. This individual will work collaboratively with other animal program managers to establish, implement, and maintain high standards of animal care and oversee the implementation of husbandry programs for the animal collection, integrating activities related to animal nutrition, veterinary care, animal acquisition/disposition, breeding, recordkeeping, animal behavior, and environments.

This is a visible, senior-level executive position with significant responsibility for resources, staff, animals, assets, and results achieved, overseeing roughly 130 employees, including curatorial and veterinary staff, zookeepers, and administrative support staff. The position requires an experienced, energetic animal care professional who is committed to the continual development of a comprehensive, integrated program for the Society’s animal collection and high standards of animal care. We seek an individual who is highly professional, self-motivated, results-oriented, confident, and has solid communications and interpersonal skills. The successful candidate will be flexible, collaborative, and able to respond and adapt to change. Must be able to maintain strong working relationships with all levels of staff and external audiences and be a strong representative for the organization and its interests. The Senior V.P. of Animal Care will be strategic in his/her orientation, proactive, persistent, and helpful, and able to handle multiple projects and priorities. Incumbent must enjoy a challenge, be passionate about animals and conservation, have a commitment to excellence, and a continuous improvement mentality. Some occasional travel is required. Individual will be expected to be present and visible at events sponsored by the Society for employees, Board members, and other professional participants and to represent the Society externally. Thus, this individual must be prepared to make a significant commitment to the organization.

This individual will:

• Work closely with the senior managers to assure the health and well-being of the animal collection and the integration and coordination of information, plans, and activities with other areas to assure optimum care of the collection and achievement of Society goals and objectives. Collaborate with animal program senior management to pursue the science of animal welfare and create metrics for measuring the quality of animal care, advancements in animal care, and impact of same on animal well-being.
• Oversee the management and care of the animal collection, as well as genetic and demographic management. This includes monitoring health and reproductive status; monitoring, assessing, and responding to indicators of well-being; identifying the need for special dietary and/or medical treatment; and gathering research and other data needed in the care of the collection. Develops and ongoingly updates and improves procedures, protocols and systems to ensure the effectiveness of Animal Care operations.
• Represent the Society and the animal collection and promote its interests externally, including but not limited to representation with the AZA, local, national and international conservation groups, the academic community, and the media.
• Work with other Society staff to seek and secure funding for Program activities and needs.
• Ensure that Animal Care operations, facilities and staff comply with established protocols, policies, and procedures, professional standards, and governmental regulations.
• Develop and recommend a long-range animal collection plan which supports the Society’s Master Plan, Strategic Plan, exhibition, and long-term goals.
• Collaborate with other Society staff in developing in-situ conservation programs and ensuring integration with communication and exhibition goals. Work closely with Conservation, Education, and Training Group and other staff to develop and implement an integrated and comprehensive program to achieve institutional interpretive goals.
• Collaborate and work with Guest Services and Marketing staff with respect to animal exhibition, guest experience, and catered events objectives. Provide technical input and serve as a resource for planning, designing and improving exhibits, and for promotions and events.
• Develop and administer annual operating plan and budget for assigned area of responsibility.
• Oversee the activities of contractors and Society staff during major construction, maintenance, and repair projects to ensure the health and safety of the animal collection, and that projects are completed on time and within budget. Participates in oversight of capital planning, construction and maintenance projects for animal facilities and enclosures.
• Consult with the Biological Data Manager and Registrar on animal records (individual and population) and make recommendations to address issues and identify trends in the animal collection.
• Assure full and effective two-way communications among staff of the Animal Care group.

Position Specifications:

• Ph.D. in Animal Biology, Zoology, or relevant field or equivalent combination of training and/or experience preferred. Masters Degree in these fields or equivalent combination of training/experience required.
• Minimum 8-10 years in a General Curator or comparable (or higher) position at a management level.
• AZA professional membership and involvement preferred.
• Knowledge / familiarity with AZA accreditation standards, code of ethics and representative husbandry standards. Familiar with AZA or other captive population management programs. Familiarity with USDA and other regulatory requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills, including verbal, written and listening skills.
• Experience working with opposing constituencies, operating as a facilitator, and a reconciler of interests.
• Effective decision-maker and problem-solver.
• Coach and facilitator, with a strong commitment to developing staff. A role model who leads by example and can mentor and teach others; strong team orientation.
• Individual of strong character and ethics, who is fair, objective, sensitive, and able to withstand criticisms and personal challenges.
• Must be flexible, cooperative, and able to adapt easily to emerging priorities.
• Must be able to maintain the strict confidentiality of privileged information.
• Strong interest in/commitment to conservation, animals, and the natural world.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (word processing and database management) essential; familiarity with animal record keeping systems, studbook programs preferred.
• Media experience desirable.

Interested individuals may submit a resume, cover letter and salary requirements to: Sandi Dornhecker, Vice President of Human Resources, Chicago Zoological Society, REF#802SD, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513 or send a resume to greatjobs@czs.org.