Director of Retail Operations - San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.


HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Director of Retail Operations leads all aspects of the retail operations department including all food service operations, catering, retail/merchandise outlets and retail vendors. This position is responsible for developing a robust strategy to achieve targets, collaborating with key business partners to drive mission contribution and leading and inspiring the retail operations team. This position reports to the Senior Vice President & Executive Director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
• Provides vision, long-term planning and strategic operational direction to multiple food and merchandising generating multi-million dollar revenues. Exercises fiscal accountability and responsibility for the retail operations department.
• Embrace a collaborative approach across the organization to ensure a holistic guest experience and retail program across both campuses.
• Actively collaborate and engage with the guest services and entertainment teams to create unique guest experiences that authentically engage our community.
• Elevate and support the guest and member journey through a dynamic and thoughtful approach to menu creation and offerings.
• Engage in recruiting, training and performance management with a heavy focus on team development and succession planning for the department.
• Ensures the organization complies with State and Federal mandates regarding health requirements.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

JOB EXPERIENCE
• Minimum of seven years management experience in multi-unit or zoo, museum or theme park retail and food service operations required.
• Experience working with represented labor preferred.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, preferred.
• Training and certification in safe food handling preferred.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
• Demonstrated ability to lead highly effective teams in a diverse environment required.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations required.
• Knowledge of food and beverage operations required.
• Knowledge of gift shop/merchandise operations required.
• Able to develop and administer complex budgets and forecasting required.
• Able to operate moderately complex computer software programs required.
• Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing required.


SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER
• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
IMPORTANT DETAILS
• Location: San Diego, CA
• Position Type: Salaried Exempt Position
• Salary Rate: $173,982.40
About The Salary Ranges
Please note that the salary range mentioned in this job posting should serve simply as a guide. The final compensation offered may vary based on a variety of factors, including bonuses and/or incentives, or a candidate’s experience and skills. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to providing a fair, equitable, and competitive package that reflects the value an individual brings to the organization.
Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.
If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org. If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud,