Association Of Zoos & Aquariums
Executive Director, Safari Park
Association Of Zoos & Aquariums, Escondido, California, United States, 92025
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Executive Director, 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.
Natalie Leonhard is leading this search with Hayden Lizotte and Kendra Moleé.
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.
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Interested in a career in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums? Learn more about types of zoo and aquarium jobs and relevant education programs in our career center.
Executive Director, 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.
Natalie Leonhard is leading this search with Hayden Lizotte and Kendra Moleé.
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.
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