A leader in conservation and guest experience, the Saint Louis Zoo is seeking a Chief Experience Officer (CXO) who shares the Zoo’s dedication to conservation and excellence. The first-ever CXO will shape and oversee external engagement to support the Zoo's mission and deliver a truly outstanding experience for guests and the community. As the world’s first municipally supported zoo, the Saint Louis Zoo is one of the few that still offers free public admission and is one of the region's most-visited attractions. Guests enjoy their time at the Zoo; 98% rate their experience as excellent or very good. Recognized as one of the 25 best zoos in the world by Travel + Leisure, the Saint Louis Zoo is consistently ranked among the top 10 by USA Today in its Readers’ Choice Awards, taking the top spot in 2018. The Zoo is also in TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Best Zoos and is ranked number four globally by TourScanner.

 

This is a remarkable leadership opportunity for a forward-thinking, strategic, and mission-driven executive to help shape the future of one of the nation’s most respected zoological institutions. The Saint Louis Zoo is already setting new standards in conservation, education, guest experience, and community engagement. As the Zoo begins a strategic planning process and continues to expand its impact—with Destination Discovery debuting this year and the highly anticipated WildCare Park opening in 2027—this role comes at a pivotal moment in the organization’s growth and development. Each year, nearly three million guests look to the Zoo for unforgettable experiences that connect people with wildlife, and the Chief Experience Officer will play a key role in strengthening that connection to ignite lasting change.

 

As a member of a collaborative executive team and trusted partner to the Dana Brown President & CEO, Dwight Scott, the CXO will shape a unified, strategic approach to all external engagement functions across the Zoo’s campuses: the Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park, the Sears Lehmann Jr. Wildlife Reserve, and the future WildCare Park. This executive will oversee marketing, sales, membership, guest experience, public relations, and conservation-focused and business-focused audience research, ensuring the Zoo’s public presence remains inspiring, inclusive, and aligned with its mission and core values (Community, Creativity, Openness, Integrity, Life-Work Balance). With the chance to influence every aspect of the guest journey—from brand storytelling to on-site encounters—the CXO will elevate how audiences locally, nationally, and globally experience the Zoo and understand conservation.

 

This leader will champion innovation, transforming guest engagement through emotionally resonant, mission-aligned experiences that foster trust and loyalty in the Zoo’s brand. To do so, the CXO will maintain a consistent voice across all platforms and ensure a seamless guest experience—from the first impression of online ticket purchases, through staff interactions, to departure from the parking area. They will provide a 360-degree view of the offerings and service provided to guests, focusing on who enters the Zoo’s gates or accesses the website, their on-site or online experience, and their perception of the organization and its mission when they leave. This visible leader will model and foster a culture focused on guest satisfaction, with clear standards and metrics to ensure effective implementation and continuous improvement. The inaugural CXO will be expected to evaluate the division's current structure and team to ensure both are optimized and built for excellence, guided by brand- and guest-experience-focused best practices. This innovator will seek to build the attendance base, maximize return visits, and elevate revenue per visitor. They will lead high-impact marketing initiatives, drive membership growth, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure the Zoo’s voice and visual identity reflect the organizational commitment to Animals Always, People Matter, and Operational Excellence. Through data-driven strategies and rigorous audience insights, the CXO will help the organization stay ahead of evolving trends in tourism, nonprofit engagement, and conservation communication.

 

The ideal candidate will possess creativity, strategic vision, and leadership skills, along with extensive experience inspiring multidisciplinary teams and fostering a culture of inclusion, innovation, and accountability. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to an iconic institution’s next chapter—creating memorable guest experiences, strengthening public engagement with wildlife, and helping ensure a vibrant future for the Saint Louis Zoo, the communities it serves, and our planet. The CXO will develop new ways to enhance guests’ connection to the mission and provide an exceptional, world-class experience for the Saint Louis Zoo community.