LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Executive Director Job Description

 

PURPOSE OF POSITION

This position is based at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, Minnesota. It is a fully onsite role, with occasional flexibility for remote work as needed. The Executive Director is expected to maintain a strong presence at the zoo to support staff, operations, and community engagement.

 

This individual will provide overall zoo leadership and management to support our animal welfare, conservation, and education missions. Responsibilities include planning, organizing, coordinating and directing the operations of the Lake Superior Zoo, which includes, but is not limited to, financial management, development, fundraising, community relations, and human resource management that will result in organizational growth and sustainability.

 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the President of the Lake Superior Zoological Society and serves as the primary staff liaison with the City of Duluth. This individual works closely with and supervises the Department Directors.

 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

  • Provide direction and support toward the achievement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, quality, culture, and strategic goals and objectives.
  • Ensure a strong sense of team unity among staff, Board members, and
  • Lead and participate in zoo staff meetings.

 

Management

  • Effectively conduct the on-going business of the Society through planning and work
  • Work with the Board of Directors, its committees, and zoo staff to achieve established goals and
  • Lead and support Department Directors.
  • Establish, manage, oversee, and report on all business aspects of the
  • Work with staff, City, and contractors on developing and overseeing improvement
  • Support the needs of the Board of Directors, City, and strategic partners in all matters relevant to the position of the Lake Superior Zoo within the community and

 

Financial Management

  • Develop annual budget with the assistance of Department Directors.
  • Supervise and execute accounting and budgetary
  • Effectively manage resources through the establishment of budgets followed by strict conformance to established

 

Development and Fundraising

  • Develop, coordinate, and implement a comprehensive Development and Fundraising Plan, with Board approval, that leads toward
  • Oversee legislative outreach and grant seeking including research, proposal writing, and reporting requirements.
  • Provide consistent and effective facilitation of donor relationships.
  • Organize committees and volunteers to plan social functions to raise
  • Direct the annual fund program, including mailings and fundraising drives.
  • Direct capital campaigns and other major fundraising drives.
  • Manages donor software and maintains accurate databases with donor and member records.
  • Seek out new strategic partnerships and strengthen existing

 

Community Relations

  • Ensure the continued development and updating of the Zoo’s
  • Work with marketing staff on community relations
  • Identify and evaluate current situations and future trends having major public affairs implications for the overall
  • Develop formal statements of policy on various public affairs matters and ensure adequate communication of the approved policies throughout the
  • Effectively respond to inaccurate or negative reports regarding the Zoo or Society to clarify the Society’s position to the public, city, government, members, and
  • Promote the Zoo and its programs to the community through presentations and public appearances.

 

Human Resources

  • Final approval of the hiring, transfer, suspension, discipline or discharge of subordinate
  • Set and oversee compensation levels for all Society staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, budget parameters, and performance expectations.
  • Work with Department Directors to ensure compliance with proper HR methods, guidelines and

 

Other Responsibilities

  • Ensure the Zoo maintains Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation by leading compliance efforts with AZA standards, coordinating internal audits, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in animal care, safety, education, and operations. Collaborate with staff to implement policies and procedures that meet or exceed accreditation requirements.
  • Effectively communicate with City departments to maximize the fullest effect of the partnership between the City and the
  • Audit and review the effectiveness of the Society’s activities to ensure their maximum
  • Advocate for Society’s vision, plans, and needs with government and community stakeholders.
  • Build and maintain strong communications with all
  • Remain informed about zoo operations, communications, and safety protocols including participation in drills or incidents requiring staff response.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Requires five (5) or more years of senior business management, administrative management, and fund development
  • Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Business, Management, Finance, or related field.
  • Extensive knowledge in effective management, human resources, supervisory and budgetary
  • Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development, and task facilitation.
  • Knowledge of and commitment to animal welfare and
  • Knowledge of nonprofit management and business operations, including sales and marketing.
  • Experience collaborating with and reporting to board members and other volunteers.
  • Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff.
  • Experience and successful track record in fund development, donor cultivation and fundraising strategies unique to the nonprofit sector.
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills paired with a high degree of professionalism.
  • Ability to communicate with diverse groups and
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with board, staff, government agencies, Society members and the
  • Strong public speaking skills.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions and temperature fluctuations in the workspace. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Employees may be asked to work in physically close quarters. The noise level in the work environment can be higher than moderate based on the number of visitors at the zoo.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear; use hands or fingers; handle or feel objects, tools or controls, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms, and bend/stoop. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Close vision is required for computer operations and reading. Distance vision is necessary for adequate crowd control and animal safety measures.

 

 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

  • Starting Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
  • Health insurance, the zoo pays 67% of the premium
  • Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off
  • Simple IRA match up to 3%
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flex Savings Account for Childcare Costs
  • Medical Flex Savings Account
  • Optional Aflac group policies for short term and long-term disability insurance, hospitalization coverage, and Dental insurance
  • Free zoo membership – discounted admission to other zoos/aquariums/museums across the country
  • Uniform allowance
  • Professional Development opportunities
  • Discounts on gift shop and café purchases and behind-the-scenes tours
  • Four free admissions for family/friends per year

 

HOW TO APPLY

Email your resume, cover letter and a list of three references to:

Heidi Beal, Director of Business Operations

hbeal@lszoo.org

 

Deadline: November 30, 2025

 

All inquiries and applications will remain confidential.

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Society is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hair styles), color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information (including requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), or any other classification protected under local, state, or federal law. The Society is also committed to prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hair styles), color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information (including requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), or any other classification protected under local, state, or federal law. This policy extends to all qualified applicants and employees in all aspects of the employment relationship including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.