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The Organization
Mystic Aquarium exists for a singular, urgent purpose: to protect aquatic life and empower communities to save our oceans. That mission serves as the guiding force behind the conservation, education, research, and exhibitry the institution does and is the source of its team’s continual motivation to build a better future for our oceans and the animals that call them home.
Founded in 1973, Mystic Aquarium has grown from a coastal destination along Connecticut’s scenic shoreline into a nationally recognized leader in marine science, animal care, and immersive public engagement. At its core, Mystic Aquarium is a research, conservation, and education institution that conducts critical research to advance knowledge of marine life, partners with experts from leading organizations and institutions worldwide to establish science-based conservation efforts, and communicates findings to policymakers, regulatory agencies, the scientific community, and the public. Voted among the top five aquariums in the nation by USA Today readers and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Mystic Aquarium is dedicated to being a local and global conservation leader while providing exceptional animal care and educational experiences. The Aquarium is home to 325 animal species, representing nearly 3,500 individual animals, including some of the country's rarest and most remarkable marine life, such as beluga whales, Steller sea lions, African penguins, sand tiger sharks, and a giant Pacific octopus. Each year, nearly 800,000 visitors pass through the Aquarium’s doors, where they are inspired to care for and protect our ocean planet.
The Opportunity
Mystic Aquarium seeks an experienced, mission-driven President and Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into its next chapter, defined by expanded conservation impact, philanthropic growth, and deeper community relevance. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, this leader will set the strategic direction, build organizational capacity, and ensure Mystic Aquarium is well-positioned to advance its mission to protect aquatic life and empower communities to save our oceans. The ideal candidate will bring strong management skills and genuine business acumen and be able to translate compelling goals into sustained, measurable outcomes. Beyond operational expertise, this leader must be a visionary who looks at an institution with a proud, more than 50-year history, an extraordinary animal collection, a nationally recognized rescue program, and a deeply loyal community, and sees, with clarity and conviction, the remarkable organization it is becoming.
This is an opportunity to lead a distinctive institution at a pivotal moment. A strategic plan has been developed that provides a meaningful starting point; the incoming CEO will be expected to bring fresh eyes to this plan, innovating, revising, and creating the right blueprint moving forward, ensuring that the strategy is grounded in current realities and shaped by an aspirational vision. The central mandate is to build on Mystic Aquarium's stable foundation while helping the organization evolve to meet the growing demands of its mission and the extraordinary opportunities ahead. Success will require a leader who can galvanize both internal and external audiences around a shared vision, generating the enthusiasm, trust, and commitment needed to move the organization forward together. The CEO will understand the inherent connection between the Aquarium's revenue-generating capacity and its ability to support the conservation, education, and research initiatives that are foundational to its mission. Diversifying that revenue model will be a defining priority, moving the organization away from its current concentration in gate admissions and visitor spending toward a stronger, more sustainable balance between earned and contributed income.
To fulfill this mandate, three key capabilities are crucial. First, the new CEO must be an authentic and effective champion of the organization. This highly visible and influential leader, well-connected politically at both state and federal levels, will establish a strong fundraising foundation by engaging philanthropic organizations, strengthening corporate partnerships, and making a compelling case for investing in the Aquarium's mission. They should strategically position the organization as a conservation leader and develop relationships with peer institutions, academic partners, and civic leaders to broaden the Aquarium's influence regionally, nationally, and internationally. Second, this leader must be an inspiring internal figure and a decisive culture builder, earning the trust of a talented staff, clarifying accountability across departments, strengthening management at all levels, and fostering a transparent, mission-driven workplace that retains top talent and attracts new professionals. Third, and equally important, is governance: the next CEO must actively nurture the relationship with the Board, engage trustees in their philanthropic and governance roles, and maintain a high-trust, productive partnership between the Board and staff to support the organization's aspirational goals.
The new President and CEO will work with an enthusiastic and devoted community to chart the course for Mystic Aquarium's next exciting phase. In the near term, they will assess the organization, build trust with the Leadership Team, and craft a compelling philanthropic narrative that engages donors in the Aquarium's rescue, research, education, and conservation work. In the long term, they will prepare the organization for a potential capital campaign; guide master planning for facilities and animal habitats, including a dedicated animal rescue facility; and ensure that Mystic Aquarium expands its audience while maintaining the excellence in animal care and scientific engagement that defines its reputation. This leader will elevate the Aquarium's visibility across the philanthropic, scientific, and civic communities it serves and ensure that one of the region's most beloved institutions remains an indispensable force for ocean conservation for generations to come.
Work Environment
The President and Chief Executive Officer will serve as an active, visible presence throughout the region, engaging directly with civic leaders, philanthropic partners, government agencies, corporate neighbors, academic institutions, and peer organizations. This leader will be deeply embedded in the institution and its community, reflecting Mystic Aquarium's role as a beloved regional anchor and a nationally significant force in ocean conservation. Candidates who do not currently reside in the area should be prepared to relocate; a commitment to establishing roots in the community is strongly preferred to ensure the genuine, ongoing engagement this role demands and that this place inspires.
Compensation
Mystic Aquarium offers a competitive base salary of $450,000 to $480,000, plus a performance-based annual bonus of up to 20%. Within the first three months of employment, the CEO and the Board of Trustees will set goals and KPIs to evaluate performance; these will determine whether the CEO’s bonus is earned each year. In addition to relocation assistance, the Aquarium offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, a retirement plan, and paid time off. The final offer will depend on factors such as educational qualifications, relevant experience, and demonstrated performance in comparable positions.