Chief People Officer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

Holidays

Vacation days

Insurance: life, disability

Pet insurance

FSA

EAP

Tuition reimbursement

Zoo membership

Complimentary tickets

Staff parking

403(b) retirement

Job summary

Woodland Park Zoo seeks a Chief People Officer to lead the People & Culture function, shaping workforce strategy and organizational design. You will partner with the CEO, leadership team, and Board to drive inclusive, engagement-focused initiatives and oversee labor relations across represented and non-represented staff.

The role requires extensive HR leadership experience in nonprofit or mission-driven settings, with strong credentials and a track record of scaling organizations while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent senior-level HR certification.
• Twelve (12) or more years of progressive HR 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 with unionized and non-union environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of organization-wide people and culture strategies aligning organizational goals with capability.
• Partner with CEO, executive leadership, and Board to provide strategic guidance on design and people strategies.
• Foster inclusion, engagement, accountability, mission-aligned productivity across 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, HR operations, compliance, HR tech, talent acquisition, learning & development, and leadership development.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Labor relations

Executive advisory

Inclusion and belonging

Data-driven insight

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/BA/Law

Advanced degree preferred

SHRM-SCP / SPHR or equivalent

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

• 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

Screening: We will review applications and select candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.

Offer: Job offers are contingent on verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including completion of a background check.

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 all backgrounds to apply, including 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.

If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at [e-mail].

Please direct inquiries and questions regarding this career opportunity to: Diane St. John at [e-mail].