Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoology Director

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoology Director leads and directs all zoological programs and animal-related operations within a conservation or zoo setting. This senior leadership role is responsible for establishing strategic vision, ensuring exemplary animal welfare and husbandry, maintaining regulatory and accreditation compliance, overseeing budgets and capital projects, developing and mentoring animal care teams, coordinating research and conservation initiatives, and representing the institution to stakeholders, funders, and the public. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in animal biology and husbandry with proven leadership, program development, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Curator / Head Curator of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, or Aquatics
Head Zookeeper or Lead Animal Care Manager with supervisory experience
Field Biologist or Conservation Program Manager with program leadership experience

Advancement To:

Director of Animal Programs or Chief Animal Welfare Officer
Chief Conservation Officer or Vice President of Conservation & Science
Executive Director or CEO of zoological or conservation institutions

Lateral Moves:

Curator of Specialized Collections (e.g., Primates, Large Mammals)
Conservation Program Director / Species Survival Program Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide strategic leadership and long-term vision for all zoological programs, developing multi-year plans that align animal care, conservation, research, and education goals with institutional mission and measurable outcomes.
Direct and oversee animal husbandry programs, ensuring evidence-based care plans, nutrition protocols, behavioral enrichment, and environmental management for all species under the institution's care.
Maintain and enforce compliance with all relevant regulations, permits, and accreditation standards (e.g., USDA, Local/State wildlife agencies, AZA/EAZA standards, CITES), and lead preparation and documentation for accreditation and inspection processes.
Recruit, lead, mentor, and evaluate a multidisciplinary animal care team including curators, veterinarians (in coordination with staff or contracted veterinary services), zookeepers, behaviorists, quarantine technicians, and volunteers to maintain high standards of performance and professional development.
Develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets, financial forecasts, and resource allocation for animal care operations, conservation projects, exhibit maintenance, and capital improvements; identify cost efficiencies while maintaining animal welfare standards.
Oversee animal acquisition, disposition, transport logistics, quarantine, and recordkeeping, including developing and approving acquisition/disposition plans, arranging permits, and maintaining complete, searchable animal records and databases.
Coordinate veterinary care programs and medical protocols in partnership with in-house or external veterinary teams, including preventative medicine, clinical treatment plans, anesthesia, surgery logistics, and post-operative care.
Design, implement, and evaluate species-specific management plans and population sustainability strategies, including captive breeding programs, genetic management, and participation in regional and international Species Survival Plans (SSPs).
Lead and coordinate conservation research initiatives, partner with academic institutions and NGOs on field projects and applied research, and translate scientific findings into practice and public messaging.
Develop and execute animal welfare and behavioral enrichment programs informed by current science, ensuring animals exhibit species-appropriate behaviors and physical/mental stimulation.
Lead emergency preparedness and response planning for animal health, facility incidents, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and humane euthanasia decisions when necessary; maintain incident reporting and post-event reviews.
Supervise exhibit design input and lifecycle planning to ensure animal-centric enclosure design, safety, biosecurity, enrichment integration, guest experience balance, and compliance with building and permitting requirements.
Lead grant writing, fundraising support, and donor stewardship efforts in collaboration with development teams to secure funding for conservation programs, research, and capital improvements.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with external partners including other zoos, aquariums, academic institutions, government agencies, and conservation organizations to facilitate animal transfers, collaborative research, and joint conservation initiatives.
Implement data-driven monitoring systems, KPIs, and analytics for animal health, reproduction, behavior, and program outcomes; produce regular reports for senior leadership, boards, and funders.
Ensure occupational health and safety for staff and public related to animal handling, hazardous materials, and zoonotic disease prevention, including PPE protocols, training programs, and vaccination policies.
Provide expert guidance on ethical considerations, animal welfare policies, and humane practices; serve on institutional ethics or animal care and use committees as needed.
Oversee public-facing animal programs such as keeper talks, educational demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, and animal encounters to ensure they are safe, educational, scientifically accurate, and aligned with welfare standards.
Act as a senior representative and spokesperson for the zoology division at conferences, public forums, media interviews, and in peer review contexts; promote institutional conservation messaging and scientific outreach.
Manage staffing models, scheduling, and workforce planning to ensure 24/7 animal care coverage, including on-call rotations, leave coverage, and contingency staffing during peak seasons or emergencies.
Integrate inclusive hiring and training practices that support diversity, equity, and inclusion within the zoology team, fostering a collaborative workplace culture and opportunities for career advancement.

Secondary Functions

Support grant reporting, donor updates, and impact statements by providing program metrics, success stories, and scientific summaries to development staff.
Participate in cross-departmental strategic planning, contributing animal welfare and conservation perspectives to visitor experience, education, marketing, and facilities plans.
Mentor interns, fellows, and visiting researchers; develop internships and training curricula that provide practical experience and professional development pathways.
Coordinate volunteer and docent programs related to animal care and conservation education, including training materials and supervision plans.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Animal husbandry and species-specific care protocols (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, or aquatic species)
Animal behavior assessment and enrichment program design
Regulatory compliance knowledge (USDA, AZA/EAZA standards, CITES, local wildlife laws)
Quarantine procedures, biosecurity, and zoonotic disease prevention
Veterinary coordination and basic clinical knowledge (anesthesia, diagnostics, emergency care protocols)
Population management and genetics-informed breeding program experience (SSP/EEP participation)
Facility planning input for exhibits, holding areas, and life support systems
Data management, animal recordkeeping systems (e.g., ZIMS, PMx) and KPIs for animal health and program outcomes
Budget development, financial oversight, and grant writing/fundraising collaboration
Project management for capital projects, renovations, and program rollouts
Research program coordination, scientific literature appraisal, and partnership development

Soft Skills

Strategic leadership and organizational vision setting
Staff development, coaching, and performance management
Strong written and verbal communication for diverse stakeholders (board members, donors, public, scientific peers)
Crisis management and calm decision-making under pressure
Collaborative partnership building with external conservation and academic organizations
Public speaking and media engagement to advocate for conservation priorities
Ethical judgment and integrity in animal welfare decision-making
Cultural competency and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Problem-solving and adaptability in a dynamic, public-facing environment
Mentorship and teaching abilities for staff, interns, and volunteers

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Animal Science, Biology, Ecology, or closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree or PhD in Zoology, Wildlife Conservation, Animal Behavior, Veterinary Science, or related discipline preferred for senior director roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology
Wildlife Biology / Conservation Biology
Animal Science / Husbandry
Ecology / Evolutionary Biology
Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or related clinical training

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

7–15 years of progressive animal care, conservation, or zoological experience with at least 3–5 years in a supervisory or managerial role.

Preferred:

10+ years of combined field and institutional zoological experience, demonstrated success leading animal programs, participation in AZA (or equivalent) accreditation processes, experience with Species Survival Plans or equivalent cooperative population management programs, and a track record of fundraising or grant-supported project leadership.