Chief Operating Officer

SUMMARY:

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens (CFZ&BG) seeks a transformative, mission-driven, strategic, engaged, and experienced leader to become its Chief Operating Officer. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer is responsible for the organization’s facilities management, horticulture, attractions, public area/housekeeping, guest services, public safety, and animal operations at both the existing Zoo campus in Sanford, FL, and the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation (OCIC) nearby in Eustis, FL. The Chief Operating Officer will provide the forward-thinking operational strategy and leadership for achieving the organization’s goals, supervise the multi-departmental directors, and oversee and manage business and operational protocols and standards, and ensuring the organization consistently meets or exceeds AZA accreditation standards.     

Note: Serious applicants should send a cover letter and resume to hr@centralfloridazoo.org.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate must have comprehensive experience in and advanced knowledge of the following:

• Complex institutional and operational leadership
• Infrastructure, technology, and facilities management
• Organizational and project budget development, monitoring, and reporting
• Contract development, management, and negotiations
• Staffing and supporting Board committees
• Strategic planning design and execution
• Organizational development, change management, and culture building

Primary direct responsibilities include:

Leadership

• Collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer in setting and driving organizational vision, operations strategy, and long-term plans for growth and evolution.
• Contribute to the Executive leadership team’s cultivation and maintenance of a highly inclusive culture that ensures team members can thrive, and organizational goals are met.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and meet organizational goals while supplying expertise and guidance on operational strategies, projects, and systems.
• Acts on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer as needed.

Strategy, Marketing, Earned Revenue

• Serves as a key advisor to the Chief Executive Officer.
• Works across departments to ensure that the physical offerings of the organization meet the current and future needs of animals, guests, and employees.
• Working with other members of the leadership team, ensures that departmental decisions and project plans, such as those for staffing, development, organization, material efficiency, hardware acquisitions, and facilities, align with the overall budget, business plan, mission, and vision.
• Directs and oversees CFZ&BG’s activities, including onsite guest experiences and revenue, capital planning, and business system planning.
• Helps prioritize the management and use of funds to align with the organization’s vision, mission, and strategic plan.
• Directs and implements organizational goals, budgets, objectives, and all CFZ&BG operations.
• Translates strategy into actionable steps for CFZ&BG’s growth, implements performance management, and plans annual operations.

People Management + Culture

• Model organizational practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), workplace safety, and conflict resolution.
• Works collaboratively with leadership team members to develop, implement, and communicate necessary institutional policies and procedures.
• Build and manage high-performing, cohesive teams, by being a results-oriented motivator with high standards for excellence. Must be a clear, consistent, and empathetic communicator, who excels at relationship building and is constantly innovating and is dependably pragmatic.

Facilities

• Establishes, implements, and communicates the strategic direction of the organization’s physical plant(s), animals, safety, and veterinary programs.
• Ensures that the maintenance and upkeep of both campuses, buildings, and amenities are sufficient to maintain operational excellence, aesthetics, ambiance, and cosmetic standards.

Operations

• Directs and participates in the negotiation and administration of contracts for major services and capital construction.
• Establishes, communicates, and implements operations-related policies, practices, standards, technologies, and security measures to ensure effective and consistent support and execution across the organization.
• Presents periodic performance reports and metrics to the CEO, board of directors, and other leadership.
• Establishes and administers the department’s budget; supports financial planning, reporting, controls, and related systems for areas of responsibility and ensures that these processes coordinate with the overall organizational activities.
• Reviews and approves cost-control reports, cost estimates, and staffing requirements for operations-related projects and initiatives.
• Responsible for maintaining compliance with all AZA accreditation standards, USDA standards for animals, and any state and regional standards.
• Maintains knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in operations management.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field with five (5) or more years of proven experience as a Director of Operations or higher or in a comparable, relevant role.
• Must thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, a problem-solver and innovator who is driven by excellence and accountability.
• General management experience in a zoo, aquarium, or theme park is beneficial, not required.
• Well-developed executive presence.
• High emotional intelligence; able to understand the needs and concerns of colleagues.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of internal and external management/leadership.
• Professional and well-organized with strong time management skills; detailed, with the ability to manage multiple priorities/projects concurrently.
• Ability to handle high-pressure situations in a calm, productive manner.
• Well-developed decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Strictly confidential with the ability to handle and protect sensitive, personal, and confidential information/material.
• Demonstrated ability to think and plan strategically in micro (localized/departmental-level) and macro (global/organizational-level) contexts.
• Ability to document processes and procedures, ensuring seamless transitions of duties amidst planned or unplanned absences or personnel changes.
• Ability to effectively manage employees.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Possess the following personal attributes: mission-driven, trustworthy, strategic, organized, results-driven, self-starter, inclusive, transparent, and collaborative.
• Strategic thinker and planner who is outcome oriented.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft applications.
• Flexibility and resilience in the face of challenges (including severe weather events).
• Curiosity and motivation to maintain an up-to-date understanding of operational, executive, and leadership industry best practices.

While direct knowledge and experience in a zoo, aquarium, or environmentally focused mission area are not required, the ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of AZA best practices and accreditation standards and, at minimum, be passionate about animal welfare, education, conservation, and our environment, and will understand the value proposition of our organization, our local communities, and the global community of conservationists.

LANGUAGE AND REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to respond to common inquiries, requests, or complaints from guests and staff in a kind and courteous manner.
• Must be able to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Multi-lingual is a plus.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid Florida State driver license
• Project Management Institute (PMI) preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following have been identified as physical requirements of the job:

• The employee must frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds, occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds, stand for extended periods, and drive Zoo vehicles.
• This job's specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen.
• The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, reach, or feel and manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to sit, walk distances, climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel, and crouch.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• A large percentage of the job functions are performed in an office atmosphere. Exposure to Florida weather environments should be considered.

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description pertains to an "at-will" position with the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens and in no way constitutes a written or implied contract of employment.