San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international, nonprofit conservation organization with two front doors: the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions.
HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Director of Conservation Biotechnologies is responsible for the overall direction, planning, coordination, and implementation of a scientific research program that supports and is aligned with the conservation objectives and strategy of the SDZWA. The Director will oversee an integrated scientific group, encompassing our conservation genetics, reproductive sciences, and biodiversity banking teams. The Conservation Biotechnologies department takes an integrative and innovative approach; applying an array of scientific disciplines to support strategies (e.g., genetic rescue, population assessment and management, assisted reproduction) designed to safeguard and restore biodiversity and to manage wildlife populations in situ and ex situ. Scientific disciplines practiced within the Biotechnologies department include cryogenic biobanking of living cells and gametes (which comprise the SDZWA Frozen Zoo®), advanced population genomics, advanced reproductive technologies, cell biology, endocrinology, stem cell biology, bioinformatics and more. The Director of Conservation Biotechnologies is a subject-matter expert in either conservation genetics/genomics, reproductive sciences, cellular biology, or biodiversity banking, with a high level of fluency in the other disciplines. This position requires a proven track record of innovating, applying, and critically evaluating scientific approaches for biodiversity conservation, as well as a strong record of collaboration across sectors.
As a leadership position in the Conservation Science Wildlife Health (CSWH) department, the Director of Conservation Biotechnologies communicates the SDZWA conservation vision and strategy to their team, identifies and prioritizes projects that strengthen connections with other teams in CSWH, departments within SDZWA, external partners, and has a working knowledge of approaches/tools used by the SDZWA to ensure activities support conservation outcomes (e.g., The Conservation Standards). The Director of Conservation Biotechnologies will develop and steward strategic collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGO's, academic institutions, and local communities. The Director will have a proven track record for successful grant writing and team leadership. Working knowledge of regional, national, and international conservation frameworks and conventions is essential.
The Director is a member of the Conservation Science leadership team, and is responsible for monitoring, reporting, and communicating the Conservation Biotechnology team's conservation and science outcomes. The Director will contribute to organizational conservation strategic planning and fundraising, including securing grant funding through various sources.
Additional responsibilities of the Director of Conservation Biotechnologies include budget development and oversight, internal and external communications, ensuring that the team complies with ethical, safety and other guidelines as defined by SDZWA policies and procedures. The Director drives team cohesion and morale and serves to effectively connect the team to the broader CSWH department and with our strategic conservation objectives. This position will report to the Vice President of Wildlife Conservation Science.
We are seeking a visionary conservation science leader who brings deep scientific expertise, a track record of innovation, and the ability to translate integrative science into transformative conservation outcomes. The ideal candidate will inspire and lead a multidisciplinary team, build strategic partnerships and shape the future of conservation biotechnology through scientific excellence, collaboration, and strategic leadership.
JOB EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
SOME OF THE REWARDS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER
IMPORTANT DETAILS
About The Salary Ranges
The posted salary range represents the full compensation potential for this role over time. Initial hiring offers are typically made within the lower to mid portion of the range and are based on a combination of relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and organizational considerations. Placement near the top of the range is generally reserved for individuals who demonstrate sustained performance, growth, and expanded responsibilities in the role over time.
Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.
If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org. If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.
At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we celebrate our differences and foster a culture of belonging. Diversity strengthens our employees, enriches our guests’ experiences, deepens our connection to our community, and supports the wildlife we serve.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.
As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. We are not offering sponsorship for this position at this time.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. SDZWA supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to two world-famous facilities, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of SDZWA extends from San Diego to strategic and regional conservation “hubs” across the globe, where their strengths—via their “Conservation Toolbox,” including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these tools in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, SDZWA has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Kids channel, which is in children’s hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring All Life Thrives.
