Vice President of Advancement

Dallas Zoo, Vice President of Advancement

The Dallas Zoo is Texas’ oldest and largest zoo, and an institution that has become one of Dallas’ most acclaimed cultural attractions. Situated on 106 developed acres in the heart of Oak Cliff, just three miles south of downtown Dallas, the Zoo is home to over 400 species and more than 2,000 animals. Over the last decade, the Dallas Zoo has opened 18 new and renovated exhibits that have helped drive visitation, doubling attendance and revenue; demonstrated by four consecutive years of one million+ guests. Since 2014, USA Today has consistently ranked it a top-10 zoo in the country.

With the significant growth that has been experienced and is planned, the Dallas Zoo seeks a Vice President of Advancement who will lead planning, management and oversight of all advancement, development, sponsorship, and capital fundraising activities for the Dallas Zoo and Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park. The Vice President will report to the President and CEO, serve as a member of the senior management team, and work collaboratively with the Board of Directors and the Board’s Development Committee.

Candidates will possess the following education and experience:

• Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree and/or a CFRE a plus.
• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in senior level fund development management.
• Exposure to best practices in communications and marketing for a nonprofit organization.
• Significant experience in managing successful capital campaign and annual fund programs.
• Experience in managing and implementing large scale fundraising events.
• Working knowledge of planned giving tools is a plus.
• Favorable experience leading and managing a staff of at least five individuals.

Victory Search Group (VSG) has the privilege of leading the recruitment of the Vice President of Advancement for Dallas Zoo Management. VSG is a senior level retained executive search firm serving a select group of clients, including nonprofit and educational organizations, from five offices across the United States. Highly collaborative and focused on customer service for over 16 years, Victory Search Group prizes our partnership with clients and their trust in our judgment, integrity and responsiveness.

Interested individuals please send a resume and cover letter to nonprofit@victorysearchgroup.com with Dallas Zoo in the subject line.