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Vice President of Animal Care
Vice President of Animal CareGreat Plains Zoo • Sioux Falls, SD, United States
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Vice President of Animal Care

Vice President of Animal Care

Great Plains Zoo • Sioux Falls, SD, United States
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  • [job_card.full_time]
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The Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium invites applicants for our new position, Vice President of Animal Care. As the organization undergoes significant growth and change, through bringing our two locations under one campus, we are growing our executive team. The Vice President of Animal Care and Facilities is a key member of the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium's (Zoo) executive leadership team, responsible for ensuring the highest standards of animal care, veterinary care, and facility operations. This role provides strategic direction to the animal care team, veterinary services, facilities maintenance, and capital construction projects, with a focus on creating safe, sustainable, and enriching environments for both animals and people.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader who values teamwork, communication, and partnership across all departments. They will foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and excellence, while ensuring compliance with AZA accreditation standards, federal / state regulations, and the Zoo's mission to create connection and inspire conservation of wild species and spaces.

Essential Functions :

Leadership & Strategy

  • Provide strategic direction and executive oversight for Animal Care, Veterinary Services, and Facilities / Construction teams. The VP will oversee a staff of 40+ with 3-6 direct reports.
  • Champion a collaborative leadership style, encouraging cross-departmental cooperation, problem-solving, and shared success.
  • Develop and implement long-term strategies for animal wellbeing, capital planning, sustainability, and facility maintenance.
  • Represent the Zoo at local, regional, and national levels on issues related to animal wellbeing, veterinary medicine, and operations.

Animal & Veterinary Care

  • Ensure the highest standards of animal care are championed and followed for all species.
  • Support the veterinary team in all aspects of animal health management.
  • Oversee collection planning, animal acquisition / disposition, and compliance with AZA standards.
  • Ensure all regulatory standards and practices across all departments are met.
  • Promote evidence-based welfare assessments and continuous improvement in animal care practices.

    • Facilities & Construction

  • Through the Director of Facilities and Construction, provide strategic direction for facility maintenance, life safety systems, and capital construction projects.
  • Partner with design / construction teams to ensure projects meet the needs of animals, staff, and guests.
  • Work collaboratively on an ongoing basis with City of Sioux Falls staff, vendors, and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure work is performed to the highest possible quality, safely, and projects are completed on time and on budget.
  • Implement sustainability practices in energy use, water management, and resource efficiency.
  • Prioritize guest and staff safety in all facility operations.

    • People & Culture

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of animal care professionals, veterinarians, and facilities staff.
  • Encourage and champion continuous improvement, resiliency, and accountability in all aspects of animal care, veterinary care, and facilities / construction.
  • Build a culture of collaboration, respect, and professional growth.
  • Ensure clear communication, effective delegation, and teamwork across departments.
  • Demonstrate the highest integrity and model the Zoo's Courtesy, Professionalism, and Respect values in all interactions.

    • Administration & Compliance

  • Manage departmental budgets, resource allocation, and performance metrics.
  • Oversee compliance with all AZA, USDA, OSHA, and other regulatory standards.
  • Ensure readiness for AZA accreditation and inspections.
  • Collaborate with the Safety Chair to develop organization safety policies and procedures.
  • Work closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to align animal care and facilities strategies with organizational goals.
  • Provides leadership to other Zoo departments when asked in the absence of the CEO and COO.

    • Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in zoology, biology, veterinary science, facilities management, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a zoological, aquarium, or comparable animal care / facility setting.
  • Demonstrated success managing both animal care and facilities teams in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
  • Strong track record of collaborative leadership, communication, and team development.
  • Deep knowledge of animal husbandry, veterinary best practices, and AZA accreditation standards.
  • Experience with facility maintenance systems, construction projects, and sustainability practices. Prefer candidates who have led 7-figure construction projects.
  • Budget management and strategic planning expertise.

    • Personal Attributes

  • Inspirational and approachable leader who values teamwork, shared problem-solving, and achieving goals.
  • Strong communicator who can collaborate across departments and with external partners.
  • Passionate advocate for animal welfare, staff well-being, and conservation.
  • Solutions-oriented, adaptable, and skilled in balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.
  • High energy level with a willingness and desire to advance the Zoo to achieve excellence in all aspects of animal care and facilities management.
  • Ability to establish and maintain a collaborative culture amongst and between all departments, particularly animal care and facilities.
  • Desire to learn, improve, and mentor those individuals in their departments to do the same.
  • Strong ability to problem solve through facilitation of solutions-oriented communication between and amongst the department they lead.
  • Able to get work done through leading others. This position requires the individual to motivate others to complete work and achieve goals.
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