Vice President of Animal Care & Wellbeing

Job Title: Vice President of Animal Care and Wellbeing

Posting Date: November 2026

Job Department: Animal Care and Welfare

Schedule: Full Time

Job Type: On-site

Location: National Aquarium Pier 3 501 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202/ACRC 901 E. Fayette St Baltimore, MD 21202

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Aquarium is seeking a Vice President of Animal Care and Wellbeing to lead animal care, animal health and wellbeing, animal rescue, and dive safety across the National Aquarium. The VP supervises the leaders of these functions, establishes expectations for care and welfare assessment, guides collection and habitat planning, and ensures that concerns receive timely decisions and follow-through. This leader brings scientific judgment, operational discipline, and a demonstrated ability to develop senior leaders and improve outcomes for animals and staff.

The VP advises the SVP/Chief Mission Officer on animal care and welfare priorities and leads their implementation. The VP works closely with the Vice President of Facilities, Environmental Quality and Water Science on water quality, habitat conditions, infrastructure risks, and incident response, and collaborates with other Aquarium leaders to advance organizational goals.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Essential responsibilities include:

• Lead and develop the leaders of Animal Care, Animal Health and Wellbeing, Animal Rescue, Behavioral Husbandry and Dive Safety. Set clear expectations for performance, accountability, communication, staff development, and succession planning.
• Establish and evaluate animal welfare practices across the institution, using documented assessments and outcomes to improve care. Ensure concerns are escalated, decisions are recorded, and corrective actions are completed and evaluated.
• Provide executive oversight of Animal Rescue and Dive Safety, including operating standards, staff readiness, risk management, incident review, and coordination with Animal Health and other Aquarium teams.
• In partnership with the SVP/Chief Mission Officer and other ACW leadership, develop policies that support animal care and wellbeing. This includes direct collaboration with peers in Environment and Facilities.
• In partnership with the SVP/Chief Mission Officer and other ACW leadership, develop and update an Institutional Collection Plan that supports organizational goals of animal wellbeing, species and habitat conservation, population sustainability, and education.
• In partnership with the SVP/Chief Mission Officer, ACW leadership, and the Planning & Design Department, develop and execute both short- and long-term animal exhibit plans.
• Ensure animal care, animal health, rescue, and dive safety practices comply with applicable federal and state requirements and AZA standards. Define animal welfare requirements for habitats and works with the Vice President of Facilities, Environmental Quality and Water Science to address water quality, life support, facility, and infrastructure risks.
• Responsible for oversight and management of associated budgets.
• Collaborate with other National Aquarium teams to enhance and support organizational priorities and goals, including long-term planning and sustainable operation practices.
• Partner with the Communications and Learning & Engagement teams through development of and participation in public programs, media requests, and other public-facing messaging to promote the National Aquarium's initiatives.
• Partner with the Philanthropy team to support donor cultivation, grant proposals, and other funding opportunities.
• Represent the National Aquarium with media, government agencies, other organizations, and AZA as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the SVP/Chief Mission Officer.
• Support company mission.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in accredited zoos or aquariums, including significant senior leadership responsibility for complex animal care and welfare functions and experience leading managers or other senior specialists.
• Bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, zoology, psychology, animal behavior, veterinary science, or a related field required. An advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred.
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a Maryland driver's license.
• SCUBA certification or the ability to obtain is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of animal care and welfare, animal nutrition, veterinary practices, and the effects of water quality and life support systems on animal well-being. Ability to work effectively with the leaders responsible for clinical care, environmental quality, facilities, and life support.
• Demonstrated success leading multiple animal care and welfare functions; establishing or substantially improving welfare assessment practices; contributing to complex collection and habitat decisions; and maintaining readiness for AZA accreditation.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong leadership, team building and organizational skills, attention to detail, and proven ability to handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the proven ability to interact positively and successfully with all levels of the organization and community.

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Salary range ($118,000-$165,499 Annual). National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including flexible paid leave and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium's award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium's mission-to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet-begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals-to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.