Chief People Officer

SALARY & FLSA: $151,574.80 to $242,518.65 USD FLSA exempt.

OPENING DATE: 03/11/25

JOB TYPE: Regular Full Time

UNION: Non-Represented

OPENINGS: 1

LOCATION: Hybrid (on grounds 3-4 days/week and remainder work remotely)

DEPARTMENT: People & Culture

Summary

The Woodland Park Zoo is seeking a visionary and strategic Chief People Officer (CPO) to lead and elevate the people function across the organization. The CPO will play a critical role in shaping, driving, and maintaining our organizational culture while providing executive leadership in all aspects of talent management, human resources, and employee relations. This position demands a dynamic leader with proven experience in collective bargaining, executive management, and fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and high performance

HOW DO YOU ZOO?

More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.

Who You Are

As our new CPO, we know you will be successful in this role because you are a/an:

• Strategic, results-driven leader with a passion for transformational results.
• Develop and maintain an inclusive, values-driven company culture that aligns with the organizational goals and enhances employee engagement, satisfaction and performance.
• Experienced executive who gains trust in the community, engages in creative and strategic thinking with the Executive Leadership Team, and earns the trust and respect of staff.
• Function as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) of each department regarding key organizational and management issues.

Your Primary Responsibilities

The CPO will oversee and provide leadership to the following departmental teams:

• Oversee the entire People & Culture function, leading directors, managers and a team of 14 reports, covering Talent Acquisition, DEAI, Learning and Development and Operations.
• Lead organizational initiatives focused on employee well-being, diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring a supportive and empowering work environment.
• Direct the development, implementation, and administration of organization-wide people and culture plans, policies, and practices in accordance with stated zoo mission, strategic vision, values, and state and federal legal requirements.
• Lead the design implementation, and track institutional outcomes for employee development programs, performance management systems, and career progression frameworks to enhance employee growth and development.
• Drive innovative talent management strategies, including recruitment, retention, leadership development, and succession planning that foster a productive, proactive, and engaged workforce.
• Serve as the organization’s principal representative in collective bargaining negotiations with labor unions, ensuring agreements that are aligned with organizational goals and regulatory compliance. Manage complex employee relations issues and minimizing risk while fostering positive working relationships with union representatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resource management, law, or related field from an accredited college or university.
• 15 years of progressive HR leadership experience; 5 years at the executive level
• Extensive knowledge and experience in collective bargaining, labor relations, and union negotiations, with a deep understanding of labor laws and regulations.
• Ability to read and analyze financial reports, contracts, and legal documents.
• Ability to organize and analyze statistical data and prepare comprehensive reports, as required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers and employees.
• Broad knowledge of employment, compensation, organizational planning, talent acquisition, training and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• MBA or master’s degree in human resources or related field.
• International HR experience.
• Grant writing experience
• SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), PHR, or SPHR credential

Benefits

The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for executive staff including:

• Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
• 11 paid holidays and 2 personal holidays
• Accrue 20 vacation days and another 12 days of sick your first year
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 days
• 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks
• Free staff parking
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

SELECTION PROCESS

Application: Please include a resume with your application through our Zoo Careers site at zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies.

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.

Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.

Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check.