Senior Vice President, Chief Mission Officer The National Aquarium is seeking a Senior Vice President, Chief Mission Officer (SVP, CMO) to serve on the Leadership Team and lead the National Aquarium's animal care and welfare, conservation engagement, and scientific research work. This role advances evidence-based practices that improve animal well-being, strengthen conservation outcomes, and enhance the Aquarium's position as a leader in aquatic wildlife conservation. Reporting to the President & CEO, the SVP, CMO leads mission-critical programs that integrate animal welfare, conservation science, operational excellence, and strategic relevance to advance the Aquarium's mission of inspiring compassion and care for our ocean planet. This role serves as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors and represents the Aquarium with professional organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, conservation and community partners, and philanthropic audiences. As a member of the Leadership Team, the SVP, CMO helps set organizational priorities, shape long-term strategy, allocate resources, manage institutional risk, and advance the Aquarium's mission, vision, and strategic plan. This role helps to foster a collaborative culture grounded in connection, optimism, operational integrity, learning and growth, and shared accountability. The SVP, CMO provides executive leadership for Animal Care, Animal Health, Animal Welfare Science, Animal Rescue, Dive Safety, Mission-Related Programming, and Wildlife and Conservation Partnerships. The SVP, CMO works closely with other teams including Strategy, Guest Experience, Planning & Design, Philanthropy, Marketing & Communications, Government Relations, and Operations to ensure mission alignment across the organization. Strategic Leadership Develop and execute the Aquarium's long-term animal welfare and programming strategy in alignment with the strategic plan. Establish measurable and impactful conservation, welfare, and scientific impact objectives that ensure effectiveness of unit and advance the Aquarium's reputation. Ensure animal welfare principles guide decisions about exhibits, collections, guest experiences, conservation initiatives, and capital investments. Serve as leadership team sponsor for mission-critical initiatives involving animal welfare, conservation, research, and sustainability. Oversee, advise, and counsel the CEO and Board on emerging issues affecting zoo/aquarium industry peers, and the regional conservation landscape. Represent the Aquarium in relevant domestic and international forums that advance its reputation among peers and partners. Build and sustain strategic relationships with leaders within the industry and broader community on behalf of the Aquarium. Animal Care & Welfare Develop and advance an industry-leading vision for animal care and welfare that supports the Aquarium's mission and vision, informs habitat design and animal population management, and exceeds regulatory requirements. Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of evidence-based welfare programs that exceed Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standards and advance best practices across the Aquarium. Set, monitor, and steward the highest standards for animal care policies and practices in behavioral management, enrichment, habitat design, welfare science, preventative care, husbandry, and collection sustainability. Provide executive oversight for animal care, veterinary medicine, quarantine operations, rescue activities, and animal population planning. Serve as the Aquarium's chief advocate for animal welfare, maintaining its primacy in decisions regarding animals, program planning, exhibit design, guest experience, and operations. Conservation & Mission Programming Apply science and evidence-based practices to improve animal welfare, conservation outcomes, and organizational decision-making. Build collaborations with universities, AZA institutions, government agencies, and conservation organizations to expand the Aquarium's programmatic impact. Work in close collaboration with senior leadership to continuously assess and evolve the Aquarium's programming portfolio to align with the organization's strategic plan and needs. Identify collaborative research opportunities, contribute to industry best practices, and translate emerging science into practical application. Support the development of future conservation science initiatives as organizational priorities evolve. Organizational Culture & Talent Development Develop and mentor high-performing leaders while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and accountable culture. Create succession plans and leadership development opportunities that strengthen future organizational capacity. Promote employee engagement, professional growth, curiosity, and continuous learning. Capital Planning & Infrastructure Provide executive leadership for capital projects affecting animal habitats, conservation facilities, research capacity, the animal hospital, and quarantine facilities. Ensure capital investments advance animal welfare and conservation objectives while supporting exceptional guest experiences. Financial Stewardship & Fundraising Develop and administer multi-million-dollar operating and capital budgets. Ensure responsible stewardship through sound fiscal management, strategic prioritization, and performance measurement. Partner with Finance to identify long-term investment opportunities supporting mission growth. Serve as one of the Aquarium's principal ambassadors to the aquarium and conservation communities. Partner with Philanthropy to identify transformational funding opportunities for conservation, animal welfare, and capital investments. Guest Experience Partner with Guest Experience, Education, and Planning & Design teams to ensure exhibits and programs communicate compelling conservation stories and inspire meaningful guest action. Ensure scientific integrity, animal welfare, and conservation messaging are integrated into guest experiences. Leadership Competencies Problem Solving: Integrating priorities, budgets, and schedules across mission areas and with other divisions and affiliates; determining the best allocation of resources versus opportunities to improve programs and services. Communications: Ensuring effective and consistent communications within and across teams, and with external stakeholders. Employee Engagement & Relations: Engaging and inspiring team members at all levels; partnering effectively with employees, managers, department leaders, vendors, senior leaders, and the Board. Strategic Planning: Thinking and acting strategically at all times, balancing short- and long-term needs with the organization's strategic vision.
Qualifications:
RequiredFifteen or more years of progressive executive leadership responsibility within accredited aquarium, zoo, wildlife conservation, or comparable scientific organizations.
Proven experience leading large multidisciplinary teams and managing complex organizational changes.
Experience developing and administering significant operating and capital budgets.
Demonstrated success collaborating with Leadership Teams, Board of Directors, governmental agencies, and external partners.
Outstanding communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
Preferred:
Master's degree or higher in zoology, veterinary medicine, conservation biology, marine science, ecology, animal behavior, biological sciences, or a related discipline.
AZA Professional Fellow designation or equivalent professional recognition.
Demonstrated fundraising and donor engagement experience.
Strong record of scientific publication, conference presentations, or thought leadership within the aquarium or zoo profession.
Total Compensation Information
Salary range:
$200,000-250,000. The National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including flexible paid leave and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.
About the National Aquarium:
Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium's award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare. More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland. Our Mission and GoalsThe Aquarium's mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change
