Chief Animal Officer

The Chief Animal Officer provides strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of the Animal Programs division at the San Francisco Zoo. This role oversees animal care, health, welfare, and conservation initiatives, including direct supervision of Curators and the Executive Vice President of Animal Health and Welfare.

• Responsible for ensuring excellence in animal management, the Chief Animal Officer leads efforts in husbandry, training, enrichment, veterinary care, nutrition, and habitat design and maintenance.
• As a member of the Senior Executive Team, this position plays a key role in shaping organizational strategy, policy, and long-term planning.
• The Chief Animal Officer collaborates closely with internal departments, the Board of Directors, regulatory agencies, and external partners to advance the Zoo’s mission and ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and guest engagement.
• Core Expectations
• Demonstrate commitment to the Zoo’s mission, vision, and values
• Perform all duties in a professional, service-oriented manner
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment
• Adhere to all organizational policies, procedures, and ethical standards
• Support a workplace free from discrimination and harassment
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Leadership & Strategy
• Provide executive oversight of animal care, welfare, behavior, veterinary services, and nutrition programs
• Serve as a member of the Senior Executive Team, contributing to organizational strategy, planning, and policy development
• Lead, mentor, and develop senior animal care staff, including recruitment, performance management, and succession planning
• Drive continuous improvement in animal welfare and institutional standards
• Animal Care & Welfare
• Ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry, health, enrichment, and behavioral management
• Oversee implementation and evaluation of preventative medicine and nutrition programs
• Maintain comprehensive documentation systems for animal management and use data to inform decision-making
• Ensure all animal areas and support facilities meet or exceed AZA, USDA, and other regulatory standards
• Lead animal welfare response efforts and crisis management when necessary
• Operations & Compliance
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations and permitting requirements (e.g., USDA, USFWS, California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
• Oversee development and implementation of standard operating procedures, safety protocols, and emergency response plans
• Monitor updates to AZA accreditation standards and ensure organizational compliance
• Foster a culture of safety across all animal programs and facilities
• Planning & Project Management
• Lead development and execution of animal collection and management plans aligned with conservation and organizational goals
• Participate in master planning, exhibit design, and capital improvement projects
• Oversee maintenance and development of animal habitats, hospital facilities, and nutrition areas
• Manage departmental budgets, including operating, labor, and capital expenditures
• Collaboration & External Relations
• Partner with internal departments to support guest experience, education, donor engagement, and revenue initiatives
• Serve as a key spokesperson on animal care and welfare for media and public communications
• Collaborate with conservation organizations, research institutions, and industry partners
• Represent the Zoo in professional associations and conservation initiatives (e.g., AZA programs such as TAGs, SSPs, SAFE)

Programs & Engagement

• Support animal-related programming, including tours, special events, and VIP experiences
• Facilitate participation in research related to animal welfare, behavior, breeding, and conservation
• Contribute to publications, presentations, and professional forums

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain knowledge of husbandry, handling, and transport requirements across taxa
• Make informed decisions impacting animals, exhibits, and facilities
• Interact professionally with guests, staff, and stakeholders
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• To perform this role successfully, an individual must demonstrate the ability to execute all essential duties effectively.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Core Competencies

• Leadership & Strategic Thinking: Ability to set vision, drive results, and lead organizational change

Technical Expertise:

• Deep knowledge of animal care, welfare, and zoological operations

Communication:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences

Collaboration:

• Builds effective partnerships internally and externally

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Uses data and judgment to make sound, timely decisions

Adaptability:

• Thrives in dynamic, evolving environments

Accountability & Integrity:

• Demonstrates professionalism, ethical behavior, and ownership

Operational Excellence:

• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills

Guest Focus:

• Supports initiatives that enhance visitor experience while prioritizing animal welfare

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, or a related field required (advanced degree preferred)
• Equivalent combination of education and extensive experience may be considered
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in an AZA-accredited or equivalent zoological institution
• Demonstrated success in team leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and organizational management

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and move for extended periods
• Ability to climb, balance, bend, and perform physically demanding tasks
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 80 pounds occasionally
• Manual dexterity and visual acuity sufficient for operational tasks
• Ability to work in varied environmental conditions (outdoors, temperature extremes, noise)
• Must maintain required health clearances, including tuberculosis testing and rabies vaccination

Work Environment

• Combination of indoor and outdoor work environments
• Exposure to varying weather conditions, noise levels, and environmental factors
• Potential exposure to animals, zoonotic diseases, and minor physical hazards

Additional Requirements

• Frequent interaction with the public, donors, and stakeholders requiring strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Represents the organization with professionalism and credibility at all times
• Further Comments
• $180K-200k