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The Organization
Already one of the most vital zoological parks and conservation organizations, the Saint Louis Zoo is working to boost public understanding, grow support for wildlife conservation through education and advocacy, and inspire lasting global change. The organization continues to think bigger and bolder for its animals, conservation efforts, people, and communities, shaping a better future. The Zoo’s financial and operational strength, along with support from the community and those who sustain it, has created new opportunities to connect people with wildlife and nature, develop world-class animal habitats, and conserve animals both locally and globally, ensuring sustainable populations for the future. Their initiatives are now ready to be amplified. The passing of Prop Z in 2018, which allocated 0.125% of the county’s sales tax to the Saint Louis Zoo, and the acquisition of 425 acres in north St. Louis County opened new doors. Further progress was made in 2022 when the Zoo issued approximately $141 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds. The proceeds from this bond issuance provided a $120 million project fund and about $21 million to cover the first three years of interest payments. The project funds, which had to be used within three years, support capital improvements and construction projects, including the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park and Destination Discovery.
Construction is still underway in north St. Louis County, but that has not deterred the animals already residing in the site’s extensive natural space dedicated to breeding and conservation—the team welcomed the first animal born at the location in April 2024, a female Grevy’s zebra foal. Projected to open in spring 2027 as the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park, the new campus will be a single destination where two journeys converge to advance species conservation, merging public experiences at the wildlife adventure park with critical conservation and research at the Kent Family Conservation & Animal Science Center. Creating the WildCare Park will transform the Zoo, the North County community, and the St. Louis region.
The creation of the Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery will provide dynamic educational experiences for children and families at the Zoo. Designed for the youngest guests and accessible to people of all abilities, Destination Discovery will allow guests to learn and play in an immersive, hands-on environment that offers ample opportunities for close-up animal encounters. The development of the 2.8-acre area is projected to cost nearly $59 million. It is supported by philanthropy, including the $15 million lead gift from the Henry A. Jubel Foundation, bond financing, and Prop Z revenues; it is planned to open this year.
The Zoo’s Better Wild Better World fundraising campaign currently focuses on securing gifts to support the Saint Louis Zoo, including the construction of Destination Discovery and the continued development of the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. More than $320 million in total investment will create lifelong memories and life-changing experiences for families, enabling the Zoo to expand its animal sustainability and conservation programs. To achieve this vision, the Zoo is seeking $160 million in philanthropic support through outright gifts and pledges, including cash, securities, and realized bequests, toward the approximately $327 million in identified needs; $80 million, half of the amount sought, will be allocated to the WildCare Park. The Zoo partnered with CCS Fundraising, a leading expert in campaign and development strategy, to complete a feasibility study and a development-readiness audit. The campaign is well underway, supported by a dynamic campaign leadership committee. Launched in 2022 and now in its public phase, the program has already made tremendous progress, with $152 million secured through documented and verbal commitments. Three of the most significant gifts in the organization’s history are among the dollars received. Fundraising will continue through the completion of Destination Discovery and will conclude in alignment with the WildCare Park opening, slated for 2027. Implementing these plans will elevate the Zoo's role as a vital driver of conservation, economic growth, and social development locally, nationally, and globally.
The Opportunity
The Saint Louis Zoo is seeking a proven, strategic Vice President of Revenue Strategy (VPRS) to develop and implement plans that drive financial performance, elevate operational excellence, and advance the Zoo's mission across both locations. This senior leader will provide organization-wide direction for the Zoo’s earned revenue operations—retail, food and beverage, attractions, and distribution—across its campuses while developing and executing financial strategies to sustain and grow the organization for decades to come.
This is a pivotal leadership opportunity at a defining moment in the Saint Louis Zoo’s history. As the world’s first municipally supported zoo and one of the few that still offers free public admission, the Zoo welcomes nearly three million guests each year. Recognized as one of the 25 best zoos in the world by Travel + Leisure and consistently ranked among the top 10 by USA Today, the Zoo is now translating that goodwill and institutional strength into transformative growth. Destination Discovery, an exciting hands-on space for the Zoo’s youngest visitors, debuts this year, and the highly anticipated WildCare Park—a 425-acre second campus in north St. Louis County—is set to open in 2027. Together, these initiatives represent more than $320 million in investment and will substantially expand the Zoo’s mission reach and revenue-generating capacity.
In this newly created position and as one of four vice president-level leaders, the Vice President of Revenue Strategy will be responsible for approximately $50 million in projected earned revenue across attractions, food and beverage, which includes catering, retail, parking, and vendor/partner operations spanning both the Zoo and WildCare Park. The Zoo runs its food and beverage and retail programs entirely in-house, reflecting its commitment to quality and the operational complexity the VPRS will oversee. The commercial foundation is solid and ready to support further development. In 2025, guests spent $14.40 per person per visit, a 5.5% increase over the prior year and a clear signal of the per capita growth opportunity this leader will inherit and be responsible for accelerating. Collaborating with the Chief Financial Officer, this executive will build and run the financial infrastructure—planning, forecasting, performance management, and operational discipline—needed to maximize those revenue streams, ensure their sustainability, and align them with the Zoo's mission-focused, exceptional guest experience. With the WildCare Park set to open in 2027, this leader has a rare opportunity to build the revenue infrastructure for an entirely new campus from the ground up while continuing to grow and optimize the Saint Louis Zoo's already strong commercial operation. This includes setting a long-range vision for where the organization's combined earned revenue portfolio should be in five years and building the strategies and systems to get there.
The ideal candidate will combine financial acumen and multi-unit operational leadership with a genuine passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences and a deep appreciation for the Zoo’s conservation mission. This executive will be an innovative, data-driven leader who thinks and acts strategically while staying hands-on with the operational details that determine whether a visit to the Zoo is positive and impactful. As the Zoo grows into a two-campus institution with expanded offerings and a more complex revenue portfolio, this leader will help ensure the organization’s commercial strength keeps pace with its ambitions.
Work Environment
This executive leadership position is expected to be on-site as a boots-on-the-ground leader across multiple campuses, and remote work is allowed and expected as part of the role's responsibilities.
Compensation
The Saint Louis Zoo offers an annual salary of $225,000 to $250,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package. As a regular, full-time employee, the VPRS will become a member of the Employees' Retirement System of St. Louis. The Saint Louis Zoo fully funds this pension based on average pre-retirement compensation and years of service. The final salary offer will depend on several factors, including overall qualifications, relevant experience, and demonstrated performance in comparable positions.