President and Chief Executive Officer

Zoo New England (ZNE or “the Zoo”) seeks a dynamic, business-minded leader as its next President & CEO (CEO). This individual will harness the organization’s recent success and forward momentum to propel Zoo New England into an exciting new era. With three consecutive years of more than one million annual visitors, the support of a strong, long-serving staff, a committed board, and a unique two-site facility, the CEO has a meaningful foundation on which to chart the organization’s future as a world-class zoo fit for its world-class hometown of Boston.

Zoo New England is a private, non-profit conservation organization committed to ensuring connections between humans and the natural world. ZNE’s two distinct sites, each accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) – the Franklin Park Zoo in historic Boston and Stone Zoo in suburban Stoneham – attract guests from around New England and beyond. 

The organization has close to 200 species of animals on its 100-acre grounds, and supporting these animal residents – and connecting guests to their wild counterparts – is at the heart of what ZNE does. Additionally, the organization has significant conservation projects both domestically and internationally, spending nearly five percent of its annual budget on initiatives that range from local turtle headstarting to One Health programs in Madagascar. In addition to its significant investments in health genomics through its Center for Zoonomics, ZNE is also a leader in educating visitors about the natural world and their role in it.

The CEO will step into the role at a significant moment for Zoo New England. The organization’s recent growth has made it more important than ever to ensure financial sustainability and connections to resources, both to sustain progress and continue moving forward. The successful leader will be a strategic thinker with a passion for conservation, a demonstrated ability to identify sustainable sources of revenue, including philanthropy, and experience overseeing complex capital projects that result in an engaging and educational guest experience. The CEO will empower staff to do their best work and be an ambassador with external partners, both community and government, to elevate ZNE’s place as a trusted expert in animal care, health, and wildlife conservation. All of the building blocks are in place to fuel this exciting trajectory, and a successful CEO will have the chance to vault ZNE into the upper echelon of cultural institutions in Greater Boston and the world.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the search process is completed. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications, including a resume and letter of interest, should be directed electronically in confidence below.  

Natalie Leonhard is leading this search with Caitlin Barrett and Kendra Moleé.