Senior Vice President & Executive Director - San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park seeks an innovative and collaborative Executive Director. One of the two front doors for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), an international nonprofit conservation organization, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers guests the opportunity to connect with extraordinary wildlife and ecosystems—from the Australian outback and rainforests of Indonesia to the vast grasslands of Africa and Asia with immersive, authentic, adventure-oriented experiences spread across 1,800 acres in Escondido, California. With a transformative capital project in Elephant Valley coming to a successful conclusion in March 2026, the next Executive Director will lead the San Diego Zoo Safari Park at a decisive and pivotal point in its history, with expectations to advance its legacy of unmatched innovation and leadership in the field.

Since its founding in 1972, saving species has been a key part of the Safari Park’s mission, and the Safari Park has played a major role in the conservation of species ranging from California condors to rhinos and elephants. Home to vital conservation efforts, the Safari Park is a one-of-a-kind wildlife park with more than 3,000 animals representing more than 300 species and an accredited botanical garden with 1.3 million individual plants. The Safari Park welcomes more than 1.5 million guests each year, providing an ideal setting for visitors to connect with nature and wildlife, while supporting the Alliance’s conservation efforts worldwide.

The Safari Park’s Executive Director reports to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Chief Operating Officer and oversees over $80 million in revenue, a total staff of more than 1,000, organized under a team of five direct reports, and over 600 volunteers. The Executive Director also serves as a key member of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Executive Team as a Senior Vice President.

For this pivotal role, the Alliance seeks an experienced and strategic leader who brings expertise in effective management of a sizable organization within a complex mission-driven global enterprise with keen conservation interests. The Executive Director must be a comfortable external representative and enthusiastic fundraiser. Additionally, the Executive Director must be an outstanding collaborator, dedicated to powerfully uniting the activities of the Safari Park with those of its sister organization, the San Diego Zoo, as well as with the Alliance’s field and educational efforts worldwide.

A small search committee has been established to conduct this search. The search committee is assisted by Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm. Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence to:

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/san-diego-zoo-wildlife-alliance/executive-director-safari-park

Natalie Leonhard, Partner
Hayden Lizotte, Managing Associate
Kendra Moleé, Senior Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller


At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our employees, our guests, our community, and our wildlife.

SDZWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SDZWA will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ethnicity, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, marital status, parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.


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: City, CA
• Position Type: Hourly Part-Time Non-Exempt Union Position - If selected, there will be fees and dues to be paid to the union
• Hourly Rate: $
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.
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