Vice President of Learning & Impact

Vice President of Learning & Impact

Reports to the President/CEO

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is seeking an innovative executive leader to help shape the future of conservation engagement. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this position serves as a key organizational leader responsible for advancing The Living Desert's mission through education, engagement, sustainability, and measurable conservation impact. The Learning & Impact Department reaches thousands of learners, volunteers, guests, and community members annually through educational programs, interpretive experiences, volunteer engagement, sustainability initiatives, and community partnerships. This is a unique opportunity to join a mission-driven organization and help define how a leading conservation institution inspires the next generation of Desert Defenders.

What you'll do

• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership team and lead the strategic direction and daily oversight of the Learning & Impact Department, advancing conservation education, volunteer engagement, interpretation, sustainability, and community impact.
• Provide leadership and support to the Curator of Learning & Community Engagement, Curator of Volunteer & Interpretive Programs, Sustainability & Behavior Change Manager, and their teams.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Utilize evaluation, research, and organizational metrics to measure outcomes and inform decision-making.
• Collaborate across departments to align guest experience, conservation priorities, animal care, sustainability, and organizational goals.
• Build relationships with schools, universities, conservation partners, community organizations, donors, foundations, and government agencies.
• Support fundraising, grant development, strategic partnerships, and impact reporting.
• Represent The Living Desert through public presentations, media opportunities, professional conferences, community partnerships, and AZA engagement.
• Manage divisional budgets, staffing plans, strategic initiatives, and organizational resources.

Why this role matters

Every day, The Living Desert creates opportunities for people to connect with wildlife, plants, and the unique ecosystems of the world's deserts. As Vice President of Learning & Impact, you will shape experiences that inspire conservation action and deepen connections to wildlife and nature. Your leadership will influence how guests, students, volunteers, and community members engage with conservation. This role ensures that learning goes beyond sharing information to create meaningful experiences that motivate lasting stewardship and action.

The kind of person who will thrive here

You are an innovative executive who sees learning, engagement, and behavior change as powerful tools for conservation. You are equally comfortable developing long-term vision, leading teams, building partnerships, securing resources, and translating ideas into measurable outcomes.

What we're looking for

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Biology, Environmental Science, Conservation, Sustainability, Nonprofit Leadership, Organizational Development, or a related field; Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred.
• At least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, conservation organization, nonprofit, educational institution, or related setting.
• Demonstrated success leading multiple departments, programs, and professional teams.
• Experience with strategic planning, organizational leadership, budgeting, evaluation, and talent development.
• Knowledge of conservation education, volunteer engagement, interpretation, sustainability, and behavior change, paired with a passion for inspiring conservation action.
• Strong experience developing partnerships, securing resources, and advancing organizational goals.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, relationship-building, and public presentation skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment

Why The Living Desert?

Located in the beautiful Coachella Valley, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens connects more than half a million guests each year to desert conservation through world-class animal care, botanical collections, education, and community engagement. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of learning, conservation action, and organizational impact at a dynamic and mission-driven institution.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume. Salary commensurate with experience, with a minimum baseline pay of $150,000. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer.