Director of Pullen Park Amusements and Historic Attractions

Houston Zoo; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Zoo seeks an experienced marketing leader to serve as Vice President, Marketing and Insights, guiding strategy across marketing, promotions, events marketing and consumer insights. The role drives attendance, revenue, membership growth, brand engagement and audience development.

The VP will connect consumer behavior and market intelligence with organisational priorities, partnering across Conservation Education, Development, Membership and Guest Experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in marketing, audience development, brand management, consumer insights, analytics or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience leading and developing high-performing marketing teams.
• Experience using consumer research and analytics to inform decisions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead integrated marketing strategies to drive attendance, revenue, membership and audience engagement.
• Establish annual marketing plans aligned with goals and budgets.
• Oversee paid, owned, earned and partnership marketing channels.
• Lead the consumer insights strategy using research, analytics and market trends.
• Translate data into actionable recommendations for pricing, guest experience and audience development.
• Develop reporting frameworks, dashboards and performance measures.
• Provide strategic oversight of promotional campaigns, major events and seasonal experiences.
• Lead, coach and develop the marketing and insights team.
• Oversee marketing budgets, forecasting and investment planning.
• Build relationships with agencies, vendors, sponsors and partners.

Skills

Marketing leadership

Audience development

Brand management

Consumer insights

Analytics

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Houston Zoo is seeking an experienced marketing leader to join the organisation as Vice President, Marketing and Insights, providing strategic leadership across marketing, promotions, events marketing and consumer insights.

The Vice President will lead the development and execution of integrated marketing strategies designed to drive attendance, revenue, membership growth, brand engagement and audience development. The role will connect consumer behaviour and market intelligence with organisational priorities, using research, analytics, guest feedback and performance data to inform strategic decision-making.

Working across the organisation, the successful candidate will partner with teams including Conservation Education, Animal Programs, Development, Membership, Guest Experience and Revenue Operations. They will also oversee marketing for major zoo events, seasonal experiences and revenue-generating programmes, while ensuring campaigns align with Houston Zoo's mission and brand.

Key responsibilities

The Vice President, Marketing and Insights will:

• Develop and execute integrated marketing strategies supporting attendance, revenue, membership and audience engagement.
• Establish annual marketing plans and priorities aligned with organisational goals and budgets.
• Oversee paid, owned, earned and partnership marketing channels.
• Lead the Zoo's consumer insights strategy, using research, analytics, market trends and behavioural data.
• Translate data into actionable recommendations for marketing, pricing, guest experience and audience development.
• Develop reporting frameworks, dashboards and performance measures.
• Provide strategic oversight of promotional campaigns, major events and seasonal experiences.
• Lead, coach and develop the marketing and insights team.
• Oversee marketing budgets, forecasting and investment planning.
• Build relationships with agencies, vendors, sponsors, strategic partners and community organisations.
• Work cross-functionally to support Houston Zoo's conservation mission and organisational priorities.

Qualifications and experience

Candidates should have a bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, together with at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in marketing, audience development, brand management, consumer insights, analytics or a related discipline.

Houston Zoo is also looking for at least five years' experience leading and developing high-performing teams, demonstrated success delivering integrated marketing strategies with measurable results, and experience using consumer research and analytics to inform decisions.

Candidates should have experience managing complex projects, competing priorities and significant budgets, alongside strong business acumen and excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills.