Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations.
DZCA honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do.
Director of Membership and Audience Strategy advances DZCA’s mission and goals by providing strategic leadership for audience growth, earned revenue, and relationship development through membership and admissions. This role is responsible for driving sustainable attendance and membership revenue while deepening audience engagement, equity, and long-term loyalty in alignment with the institution’s mission.
Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is the place for you!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Vision and Strategy
- Collaboratively develop and execute multi-year strategies for membership acquisition, retention, upgrades, and reactivation, aligned with organizational revenue goals and mission outcomes.
- Lead admissions strategy, including pricing, discounting, access programs, and demand management, balancing revenue optimization with accessibility and equity.
- Partner with Guest Experience, Communications, and Belonging teams to align audience targeting, campaign strategy, and on-site conversion tactics across the whole guest journey.
- Use audience segmentation and behavioral insights to grow first-time visitation, repeat visitation, and cross-channel engagement.
- Identify and pilot new audience growth opportunities (e.g., new membership tiers, affinity groups, social clubs, add-ons, and experience-based offerings).
Program Direction and Leadership
- Lead the institution’s CRM and database strategy, ensuring data integrity, usability, and alignment across admissions, membership, philanthropy, and communications.
- Oversee annual and multi-year membership and admissions budgets, forecasts, and revenue targets.
- Develop dashboards, KPIs, and reporting frameworks for leadership and board audiences, translating data into actionable insights.
- Champion a culture of data-informed decision-making, ensuring teams across the organization have access to relevant insights and analysis.
- Ensure compliance with data governance, privacy regulations, and best practices.
- Partner with IT and external vendors to evaluate and implement CRM enhancements, integrations, and automation.
Staff Leadership and Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team across membership, admissions strategy, and CRM/database functions, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that supports professional growth and innovative thinking.
- Champion data literacy throughout the organization by providing training, resources, ongoing support, and collaborating with departments such as Accounting, Communications, Information Technology, and Philanthropy to drive evidence-based decision-making.
- Review department organization to ensure staffing levels, schedules, and staffing structure provide for the organization's standard operations.
Other Responsibilities and Duties
- Other assistance, as designated by Sr. Director of Guest Experiences, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. DZCA retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
- Acts as a good steward of the DZCA's resources.
- This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations.
- The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of DZCA.
Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications
- 4-year degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Non-Profit Management, Data Analytics, Communications, Hospitality/Tourism, or a related field preferred, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Requires a minimum of 7 years’ experience in membership programs, admissions strategy, audience development, revenue management, marketing, CRM/database management, or related fields within mission-driven organizations, attractions, cultural institutions, or hospitality environments. 5+ years of progressive leadership experience overseeing teams, audience growth strategies, revenue performance, and data-informed decision making, including cross-departmental collaboration with marketing, philanthropy, and guest experience functions. Or any equivalent combination of experience, lived experience, and/or special skills.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement audience growth strategies that increase attendance, membership revenue, and long-term loyalty through pricing strategy, segmentation, promotions, and lifecycle engagement.
- Advanced knowledge of CRM and database systems with the ability to translate audience data, trends, and performance metrics into actionable strategies that inform marketing, admissions, and membership decisions, is required.
- Proven computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, are required.
- Proven ability to lead teams and collaborate across departments, including Communications, Philanthropy, Guest Experience, and Education, to deliver cohesive audience engagement strategies and exceptional guest and member experiences.
- Requires exemplary organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize work and tasks.
- Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, and changing environment, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Must have superior negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive information with diplomacy.
- Must be a recognized communicator and considered to be a developer, coach, and mentor who is comfortable working with a broad cross-section of people in direct and matrixed relationships.
- Experience developing and executing strategic goals required.
- Must have proficient skills in managing large and complex budgeted programs.
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Certification or professional training from the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), such as Certified Interpretive Planner, Certified Interpretive Manager, Certified Interpretive Guide preferred. Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) or equivalent event production certification preferred. IBCCES or comparable sensory-inclusive experience certification preferred.
Position Conditions
- Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen
- Schedule Availability: Expectation to work a 5-day work week with availability to work some weekends, evenings, and holidays, time off planned with notice.
- Work Location: Onsite
Compensation
Range for this position is $7,969 to $9,961 (monthly)
A Truly Wild Workplace with Competitive Benefits
Join our team and enjoy a wide variety of great benefits, including:
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 403(b) Retirement Account with employer match
- Generous paid time off: vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays
- A Family DZCA Membership with discounted tickets to special events
- Concession and retail discounts, plus free parking
- And so much more!
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. If you're passionate about contributing to a dynamic, mission-driven organization, we want to hear from you!
Application Process and Timelines
Application Deadline: March 27, 2026; Review of applications will begin immediately. DZCA reserves the right to close the position before this date.
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.
www.denverzoo.org
