Senior Vice President of Animal Care

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, acclaimed as the #1 Zoo in the United States by USA Today in 2023 and 2024, and the premier attraction in Nebraska, is dedicated to upholding its exceptional standards and delivering extraordinary experiences for its visitors. We are seeking a dynamic Senior Vice President of Animal Care to lead and enhance our renowned animal care programs. This critical role will drive the strategic direction and operational excellence of our animal cares, ensuring the highest standards of animal wellbeing and health, while supporting our conservation and species sustainability efforts.

• Reporting directly to President and CEO Luis Padilla, the Senior Vice President of Animal Care will be an integral member of the executive leadership team, overseeing a dedicated team of animal care professionals.
• This leader will shape the future of animal programs at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, advancing our mission of engaging, inspiring and educating guests to be stewards of wildlife through unique, world-renowned exhibits, experiences and conservation initiatives
• As the Senior Vice President of Animal Care, you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that align with the Zoo’s mission and strategic goals.
• You will focus on enhancing animal wellbeing through innovative care practices, ensuring that our facilities and programs meet or exceed industry standards.
• Your role will involve collaborating across departments to integrate animal care practices into all aspects of the Zoo’s operations, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• This position is an exciting opportunity to have an impact in advancing zoological operations, animal collection and staff at one of the most significant leading institutions in the zoo and aquarium field.
• Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a beloved community and regional asset.
• This leader will provide critical collaborative expertise as the organization will be developing a new strategic plan, and embarking on the next phase of facility renovations, new capital initiatives and staff development efforts.
• The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with extensive experience in zoological management and a deep commitment to animal welfare and conservation.
• The candidate should embrace progressive, modern animal care practices, and intelligent risk taking in animal exhibitry to create impactful and unique experiences.
• You should bring a proven track record in enhancing animal care programs, leading diverse teams, and advancing best practices in animal management.
• A background in managing large, complex teams of animal care professionals, broad expertise with taxonomically diverse animal collections, combined with a passion for educating the public and supporting conservation efforts, will be highly valued.

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

• Omaha offers a vibrant metropolitan atmosphere with a rich array of amenities.
• The city boasts a thriving dining scene, an emerging music culture, and numerous cultural attractions.
• Notable highlights include the Old Market Entertainment District, Lauritzen Gardens, and the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum.
• With significant investments in downtown development, Omaha provides a lively environment for both residents and visitors.
• The city's airport offers excellent connectivity, making travel to and from Omaha convenient and accessible.

Job Description

• The Senior Vice President of Animal Care oversees all aspects of the care of the animals at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (OHDZA) and collaborates on a shared animal collection at the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park.
• This position is responsible for coordinating, developing, and implementing plans, policies, and procedures for managing the animal collection.
• This includes overseeing all aspects of animal and veterinary care, ensuring animal well-being and welfare, and guiding the institutional species plan.
• The role involves supervising animal care and management, enforcing safety protocols, and handling acquisition and disposition policies.
• Additionally, it includes overseeing water quality and life support systems, maintaining accurate recordkeeping, managing pest control, and supporting species sustainability efforts, all in line with modern zoological practices and principles.
• This leader is ultimately responsible for developing and managing the animal collection that supports the mission of the Zoo and Safari Park and leads cross-disciplinary efforts to ensure integration and synergy with non-animal areas of operation.
• This leader is also responsible with ensuring coordination and integration of the animal collection with other mission-centric conservation, science and education initiatives, specifically animal nutrition, reproductive sciences, genetics, field conservation efforts and education.
• The Senior Vice President of Animal Care ensures that animals have modern, safe, and engaging living spaces that exceed the needs of the animals, and that operations are in compliance with regulatory and accreditation agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (include but not limited to):

Executive Leadership:

• Serve as a key member of the Zoo’s executive and senior leadership teams, providing strategic advice on all aspects of animal care and operations.
• Assume senior leadership responsibilities and operational duties in the absence of the Zoo President/CEO as needed.
• Contribute actively to staff leadership meetings, initiatives, and programs, ensuring alignment with the Zoo’s goals.
• Engage regularly with members of the Board of Directors of the Omaha Zoological Society, fostering strong relationships and collaboration.

Strategic Direction:

• Lead and provide vision for animal care, veterinary services, and animal welfare at both the Zoo and the Safari Park.
• Direct and support capital projects, new exhibit construction, and renovations, ensuring adherence to best practices in animal care and facility design.
• Drive and collaborate on species conservation initiatives with the conservation and science teams.
• Oversee and prioritize facility renewal projects related to animal care, exhibitry, and management.

Animal Management:

• Oversee the daily care, management, exhibitry, and veterinary services for the Zoo’s animal collection, ensuring top-notch welfare at both the Zoo and Safari Park.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director of the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park regarding the coordination of a shared animal collection plan, consistent animal care practices and wellbeing initiatives
• Oversees and is ultimately responsible and accountable for the organization’s species plan (i.e. institutional collection plan) process, implementation, and execution to ensure that the Zoo and Safari Park animals serve the Zoo’s mission, and that the process considers relevant input from stakeholders.
• Supervise and support behavioral husbandry, training, enrichment, and welfare initiatives to advance animal care standards.
• Collaborate on the development and implementation of animal health programs to enhance overall animal wellbeing.
• Ensure the adoption of best practices in modern zoological care, including advancements in animal welfare, behavioral husbandry, and enrichment.
• Provide guidance on the use of animals and their representations to maintain accurate portrayal and align with the Zoo’s brand and practices.
• Ensures prioritization and modernization of animal care facilities and equipment to support animal wellbeing, including exhibits, animal housing spaces, veterinary, quarantine and isolation facilities.

Team Oversight:

• Manage a diverse team of animal care professionals, including curators, veterinarians, and specialists, overseeing budgeting and facility renewal.
• Provide direct leadership to animal curators, veterinarians, and animal well-being scientists, focusing on staff management, policy development, and fostering collaboration across teams.
• Develop and implement initiatives to enhance diversity and inclusivity within the animal care workforce.
• Ensure that job descriptions and postings for animal care positions are current and aligned with modern recruitment, retention, and advancement needs.
• Assess and optimize staffing levels, titles, and responsibilities to ensure high-quality animal care and operational efficiency.
• Stay informed about team activities, addressing issues proactively and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Lead efforts to enhance workplace culture, engagement, and job satisfaction within animal care teams.

Professional Development:

• Manage staff training, development, and career advancement to uphold high standards of animal care and ensure ongoing expertise in modern practices.
• Support the Zoo’s internship and career development programs to foster professional growth and succession planning.

Policy Development:

• Develop and enforce policies for species management, acquisition, and disposition, ensuring alignment with legal and regulatory standards.
• Establish and uphold best practices and ethical principles in animal acquisition and disposition procedures.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with teams in nutrition, reproductive sciences, genetics, and conservation to enhance animal welfare and support the Zoo’s conservation goals.
• Coordinate with various departments to ensure the highest standards of animal care and advance the Zoo’s mission and conservation initiatives.

Recordkeeping & Compliance:

• Oversee accurate recordkeeping and information management to ensure compliance with permits, documentation, and industry standards.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping, pest control, and adherence to local, state, federal, and international laws.
• Maintain adherence to local, state, federal, and international laws related to animal care, including USDA-APHIS regulations and AZA accreditation standards.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with animal welfare standards, including containment, living spaces, transportation, veterinary care, and nutrition.
• Lead efforts to meet and exceed AZA accreditation requirements and stay current with evolving standards.

Project Leadership:

• Lead and offer expertise in capital projects, new exhibit construction, and renovations, ensuring optimal design and care for animals.

Emergency Preparedness:

• Ensure readiness for various emergencies, including animal escape drills, human envenomation, and accidental animal attacks.
• Coordinate and lead mandatory animal-related drills and act as a first responder for zoo emergencies, including natural disasters.
• Oversee training and standards for the zoo’s weapons team to ensure preparedness.
• Manage and coordinate responses to emergencies and unforeseen situations.

External Relations:

• Serve as an ambassador for the Zoo by engaging with media, donors, and external partners, and representing the Zoo on local, national, and international boards.
• Participate in and contribute to local, national, and international organizations and boards that promote zoo missions, wildlife conservation, and industry best practices, such as AZA, WAZA, AAZV, CPSG, and C2S2.
• Facilitate and participate in interactions with media, donors, board members, community partners, and stakeholders to enhance the Zoo’s visibility and foster external relationships.

Operational Support:

• Assume senior leadership responsibilities, including stepping in for the Zoo President/CEO when needed.
• Develop and manage large operational budgets and facility renewal projects to support animal care teams.
• Assist in budget preparation and monitoring for all animal care areas at the Zoo, including managing allocations and expenditures.
• Support conservation initiatives related to the Zoo and its collections.
• Ensure best practices for safety in animal operations, with a focus on handling dangerous animals.

Other Duties:

• Oversee the organization’s pest control and Dive Safety programs through delegated supervision.
• Collaborate with the Omaha Zoo Foundation to further the Zoo’s mission.
• Support the interpretative plan and develop guest-facing educational materials to enhance connections between guests and animals.
• Contribute to zoo-wide staff engagement and satisfaction initiatives.
• Candidate Profile

Knowledge Base and Experience:

• Comprehensive understanding of modern zoological practices, including animal care, welfare science, collection planning, species sustainability, and conservation.
• Expertise in habitat design, management, and exhibitry.
• Current knowledge of industry best practices, trends, and challenges in zoological practices.
• Familiarity with local, state, national, and international regulations, including USDA, USFWS, AZA, WAZA, and NE Game and Parks.
• Proficiency in recordkeeping and industry-specific software systems.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage diverse animal care teams and provide vision and direction.
• Effective relationship-building and influence skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking and presenting.
• Basic understanding of animal care routines.
• Ability to collaborate with all levels of organizational leadership.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical abilities.
• Capacity to manage priorities, workflow, and adapt to changing conditions.
• Professional demeanor under stress and in emergency situations.
• Proven leadership and business acumen.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Effective decision-making and conflict resolution skills.
• Collaborative and inclusive approach to leadership.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace.
• Valid state driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
• Able to travel as necessary, both locally and nationally, for conferences and workshops.

Professional and Cultural Characteristics:

• Understanding and appreciation for the Zoo’s role in the Omaha community.
• Aligned with the organization’s mission and takes pride in the Zoo’s success.
• Values diversity of background and thought.
• Ability to develop talent and mentor and motivate teams.
• Possesses a high level of emotional intelligence; forms relationships across levels and stakeholder groups by communicating clearly and concisely, regardless of medium.
• Strong problem-solving skills paired with the ability to lead and manage through periods of crisis.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Zoology, or a related field; advanced degrees (DVM, PhD) are highly desirable.
• Six to eight years of relevant management experience or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience in supervisory, management, and leadership roles, with a proven track record of leading complex teams.
• Familiarity with AZA accreditation standards and compliance directives for US Fish and Wildlife, USDA, and OSHA.
• Contacts

For additional information about the role, please contact the following contact:

• Megan Rachal
• Senior Vice President of People and Culture & CHRO
• Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
• megan.rachal@omahazoo.com
• Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises animal care team:

• 6 Curators
• 1 Director of Animal Health
• 1 Manager of Behavioral Husbandry and Wellbeing
• Work Environment/Physical Demands
• This position works primarily in an office environment, however, a significant portion of the duty in an outdoor exotic animal/zoo environment subject to all types of weather conditions and a certain amount of risk.

Travel Required

• Some travel is required (conferences, workshops, scientific and conservation endeavors).

Remote Work

• This position allows for some remote work, and expectations for work to be done in off-site locations, but the position is primarily based at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, and is intended to provide on-site present leadership, supervision, and oversight of teams, animals and facilities, and be available as an emergency responder.

Work authorization

• List any visa requirements, H1B sponsorship or special clearances.
• Disclaimer
• The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification.
• It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
• Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.