General Manager - Interactive Zoo & Aquarium

General Manager – Interactive Zoo & Aquarium

Overview

An exciting opportunity has opened up for an experienced and people-focused General Manager to lead day-to-day operations at a fast-growing, mission-driven interactive zoo and aquarium in Michigan. This is not your typical zoo management role — the organization is built on hands-on, immersive guest experiences that forge real connections between people and wildlife.

Reporting directly to the owner and CEO, the General Manager will oversee multiple departments, drive operational excellence, and champion a culture of accountability, passion, and continuous learning. If you are a natural leader who thrives in dynamic, guest-centric environments and believes in the power of purpose-driven work — this role was built for you. This is a full-time, onsite, permanent position.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Oversee all daily operations across the facility, ensuring consistently high standards in guest experience, animal care, education, staff performance, and safety.
• Team Management: Directly supervise department managers across animal care, guest services, education, maintenance, and administration. Hold weekly check-ins, provide ongoing coaching, and lead performance development.
• Guest Experience: Uphold and continuously elevate standards for guest satisfaction — this business lives and breathes exceptional visitor experiences.
• Financial Oversight: Partner with the CEO to manage operating budgets, monitor expenses, forecast revenue, and identify opportunities for growth and cost efficiency.
• Cross-Departmental Coordination: Ensure strong communication and collaboration across all departments, with unified messaging and shared goals.
• Strategic Planning: Work alongside the CEO and marketing to identify ways to grow revenue, streamline operations, and bring new experiences to life.
• Staffing & Scheduling: Manage time-off requests, publish schedules on time, maintain appropriate staffing levels, and support recruitment and onboarding.
• Health, Safety & Compliance: Ensure full compliance with all applicable regulations (USDA, OSHA, local authorities). Lead safety drills and maintain documentation.
• Inventory & Ordering: Conduct weekly inventory reviews and coordinate orders across departments.
• Reporting: Provide the CEO with regular updates on operational performance, challenges, and progress toward goals.
• Mentorship & Culture: Actively mentor managers and emerging leaders, fostering a culture of respect, accountability, and growth.
• Leading by Example: Be willing and able to be trained to step onto the floor and work directly with the public and exotic animals, including large reptiles, when needed.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of management experience overseeing teams of 50 or more employees in a similarly sized or complex operation
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop a multi-department management team
• Strong skills in delegation, multitasking, and managing competing priorities across a fast-paced environment
• Proven track record in guest-experience-driven environments where service and satisfaction are central to the business model
• Comfortable working in a hands-on, high-energy environment with animals and the public
• Available to work full-time including weekends and holidays (approximately 50–55 hours per week)
• Criminal background check clearance required
• Willingness to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) upon appointment

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in zoos, aquariums, wildlife education, hospitality, attractions, theme parks, or other high-volume, experience-driven industries
• Experience working in a growing or scaling organization where structure and process were still being built
• Passion for wildlife, animal education, or environmental connection
• Experience managing cross-functional teams across service, operations, and care disciplines

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $78,000 USD per year, paid weekly Employment Type:

Permanent, Full-Time Location: Onsite (Schedule: Includes weekends and holidays)

401(k)

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.

Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.

Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.

Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.

Privacy and Pay Equity:

California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com.
Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.
Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.

State-Specific Information:

Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.
Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.
New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.

Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.

Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.

Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment
Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.

Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.