Santa Barbara Zoo - Chief Experience & Revenue Officer

\t\t\t\t\t

Santa Barbara Zoo

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

Santa Barbara Zoo - Chief Experience & Revenue Officer

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

The Santa Barbara Zoo seeks a Chief Experience & Revenue Officer toserve as the architect of one of the most beloved guest experienceson the California coast.

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

\t\t\t\t\tCreated at a defining moment, following a rigorous strategic planning process and ahead of anambitious master planning effort, this new executive role brings together hospitality, earnedrevenue, audience growth, and experience design under unified leadership, all in service of theZoo\s mission to conserve the natural world.

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

\t\t\t\t\tThis is a role for a creative, commercially astute builder: someone who sees the full arc of a guest\sjourney, from first digital impression to final farewell, and understands how hospitality, conservation,science, education, and community engagement come together to create meaningful andmemorable experiences. Reporting to President and CEO Charles Hopper and serving onthe Executive Leadership Team, the CXRO will help shape not only how the Zoo grows itsearned revenue, but how every visit deepens a guest\s connection to wildlife and inspireslifelong engagement.

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

To view the full Job Profile, click HERE.

\t\t\t\t\t

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

Experience Required

\t\t\t\t\t

The Ideal Candidate: \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tThe Santa Barbara Zoo seeks an experienced, intellectually curious, and commercially sophisticated leader who pairs genuine creativity with disciplined financial acumen. The ideal candidate has built and grown earned-revenue portfolios and guest experience operations at scale, and is energized by the chance to do so in service of a beloved conservation institution with a spectacular setting and a deeply engaged community. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tExecutive leadership - progressive leadership experience in guest experience, attractions, hospitality, cultural institutions, or related fields, with executive-level responsibility for both revenue and customer experience. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tRevenue track record - a proven record of driving sustainable earned-revenue growth and leading multi-disciplinary teams across functions such as admissions, food and beverage, retail, events, and guest services. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tInnovator\s mindset - comfortable testing new ideas and experiences, evaluating new business models, and building a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tData fluency - fluency with modern revenue and engagement platforms, including pricing strategy, CRM, and audience insight, with the judgment to know when data should lead and when mission, instinct, or relationships should. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tMission-driven spirit - guest-obsessed and genuinely moved by the Zoo\s purpose, able to connect commercial performance to conservation, education, and community impact. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tSector experience - experience in mission-driven, nonprofit, or accredited cultural institutions is preferred; experience at a zoo, aquarium, museum, botanical garden, or major attraction is a plus. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tValues & education - a values-aligned leader committed to equity, inclusion, and accessibility, with a Bachelor\s degree or equivalent experience; an advanced degree is welcome.

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

Salary

\t\t\t\t\t

$180,000 to $200,000, or commensurate with experience, plus an excellent benefits package

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

How to Apply

\t\t\t\t\t

The Santa Barbara Zoo has retained Canopy Strategic Partners to manage this search. To be considered, please submit a letter of interest and resume in a single PDF to:

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

Lauren David - Canopy Strategic Partners

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

Search@canopysp.com

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence. Canopy Strategic Partners actively recruits candidates from across the zoological and conservation community, including those currently in senior leadership roles, those on a leadership development trajectory, and those whose backgrounds span adjacent fields. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

The Santa Barbara Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a team that reflects the

\t\t\t\t\tdiversity of the communities it serves and to fostering an inclusive workplace where every team member

\t\t\t\t\tcan do their best work.

\t\t\t\t\t

\t\t\t\t\t

Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara, CA

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

Visit our website

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t Return to All Job Posts \t\t\t\t\t