Chief People Officer

Zoo Careers; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 209,000 - 271,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Life and disability insurance

Pet insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition reimbursement

Zoo membership

Staff parking

403(b) Retirement Plan

Job summary

Woodland Park Zoo is seeking a Chief People Officer to lead the People & Culture department and align workforce strategy with the organization's mission to save wildlife and inspire conservation.

You will partner with the CEO and Board, drive labor relations, talent development, compensation, benefits, HR operations, HR technology, and leadership development initiatives, and foster an inclusive, high-performance culture across on-site staff in Washington state, ensuring both represented and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or related field.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent senior HR certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead organization-wide people and culture strategies aligning goals with capability.
• Partner with CEO and Board to advise on design, people strategies, and governance.
• Foster inclusion, engagement, accountability, and productivity for all staff.
• Direct labor relations strategy, including bargaining, grievances, contract interpretation.
• Oversee compensation, benefits, HR operations, HR tech, talent development, and leadership initiatives.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Labor relations

Executive advisory

Diversity & inclusion

Data-driven decisions

Talent development

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Law

Advanced degree preferred

SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification

Job description

TITLE: Chief People Officer

SALARY: $208,790.40 - $271,419.20; FLSA Exempt

OPENING DATE: 08/14/2026

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled

JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-Time

UNION: Non-Represented

OPENINGS: 1

LOCATION: On site

DEPARTMENT: People & Culture

HOW DO YOU ZOO?

More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what's at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, "To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives."

WHO YOU ARE

• A visionary people leader who translates organizational goals into innovative workforce and culture strategies.
• An experienced employee and labor relations professional with a successful track record working in union and nonunion environments.
• A trusted executive advisor who builds credibility with employees, union leaders, senior leadership, and the Board of Directors.
• A collaborative and inclusive leader who champions employee engagement, belonging, equity, and organizational development.
• A strategic thinker who leverages data, analytics, and business insight to improve workforce performance and organizational effectiveness.
• Passionate about developing talent, strengthening leadership capability, and creating exceptional employee experiences.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development and execution of organization-wide people and culture strategies that bridge organizational goals with organizational capability.
• Partner with the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors to provide strategic guidance on organizational design, people strategies, etc.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, engagement, accountability, mission aligned productivity outcomes, and continuous improvement for both represented and non-represented employees.
• Direct labor relations strategy, including collective bargaining negotiations, grievance management, contract interpretation, and collaboration with union leadership.
• Oversee compensation, benefits, wellness programs, HR operations, compliance, HR technology, talent acquisition, learning and development, and leadership development initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience leading people and culture functions within a mission-driven, nonprofit, conservation, education, or public-serving organization.
• Advanced degree such as an MBA, Juris Doctor, or related graduate-level credential.
• Ability to speak a language in addition to English.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent senior-level Human Resources certification.
• Twelve (12) or more years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience, including at least five (5) years in a senior executive role such as CPO, CHRO, VP of HR, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience leading labor relations to maintain collaborative, productive partnerships with the unionized workforce and union representatives.
• Proven success scaling organizations while maintaining a strong focus on employee experience, engagement, and performance.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.

BENEFITS

The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time staff including:

• Medical, dental, and vision: HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
• 11 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays
• Accrue 20 vacation days and another 12 days of sick leave your first year
• Life, death & dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, optional employee-paid voluntary life insurance
• Pet insurance for qualifying pets
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 days
• 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks
• Free staff parking
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

SELECTION PROCESS

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services.