Executive Leader, Zoo Facilities & Capital Projects

sbzoo; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pet insurance

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Plan

Company parties

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Flexible schedule

Free uniforms

Health insurance

Paid time off

Training & development

Wellness resources

Job summary

Santa Barbara Zoo seeks a visionary VP of Facilities & Capital Projects to drive facility strategy, capital programs, and risk management. You will lead a high-performing team, coordinate with executive leadership, and ensure animal welfare, guest experiences, and sustainability through modern infrastructure and smart maintenance.

This role reports to the CFO, collaborates with the President & CEO, and guides off-site collaborations while upholding AZA standards and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required.
• 10+ years in facilities management and capital programs.
• Experience leading multi-facility operations and public-sector projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital project delivery from feasibility to post-occupancy.
• Oversee facilities operations, grounds, utilities, and infrastructure.
• Ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Manage budgets, governance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop multi-year capital plans aligned with strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Facilities management

Capital planning

Project delivery

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/related field

Master’s degree in Business Administration/related field

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Santa Barbara Zoo seeks a visionary VP of Facilities & Capital Projects to drive facility strategy, capital programs, and risk management. You will lead a high-performing team, coordinate with executive leadership, and ensure animal welfare, guest experiences, and sustainability through modern infrastructure and smart maintenance.

This role reports to the CFO, collaborates with the President & CEO, and guides off-site collaborations while upholding AZA standards and regulatory compliance.