Director of Education at The Living Planet Aquarium – Draper, Utah

Position: Director of Education

Reports To: Senior Director of Operations

Why Utah?

Utah is home to five national parks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family-friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away. Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs, perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service-oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home.

About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium:

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission-driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.

Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world, including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the opening of the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, the Aquarium became the largest in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact.

Position Summary:

The Director of Education provides visionary leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive, mission-driven education strategy that advances the organization’s strategic plan.

This position leads a multi-layered team of education professionals and collaborates across departments to ensure that educational experiences are integrated throughout the guest journey.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Education contributes to organizational strategy, drives innovation in informal science learning, and champions evidence-based approaches that inspire and deepen connections to earth’s diverse ecosystems.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Education, Environmental Science, Biology, Museum Studies, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in informal education within an AZA-accredited zoo, aquarium, museum, or similar institution

• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, team leadership, and program development at scale
• Experience integrating education with organizational goals and priorities
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional collaboration and drive organizational impact

• Must be willing to go through an additional background check required by the UT Public Local Education Agency (LEA)

Critical Skills/Competencies:

• Visionary and strategic thinking
• Organizational leadership and team development
• Innovation in informal learning and engagement
• Data-informed decision making and evaluation
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Financial and operational acumen at a strategic level
• Experience in conservation behavior change messaging and best practices. Experience in audience/visitor research a plus
• Management experience of diverse a large workforce
• Experience in entertainment/hospitality venues (zoos, aquariums, theme parks) preferred
• Exceptional organizational and leadership skills are required
• Excellent time management, written and oral communication skills
• Strong computer software/multimedia skills
• NAI certification preferred

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and execute a multi-year education strategic plan aligned with the organization’s mission
• Position the Aquarium as a leader in informal science education within the AZA community and broader field
• Integrate education across all facets of the organization, including exhibits, animal experiences, digital platforms, and public programs
• Champion a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

Program Oversight & Innovation

• Provide executive oversight of all education programs, including onsite, offsite, digital, and community-based initiatives
• Ensure programs are grounded in current research and best practices in informal STEM learning, conservation psychology, and behavior change
• Lead the development of scalable programming that engages diverse audiences and supports measurable outcomes
• Oversee evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness, audience impact, and alignment with the mission of the organization

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, multi-tiered education team
• Foster a collaborative and accountable team culture that supports professional growth and innovation
• Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and accountability structures across the department

Collaboration

• Partner with all Aquarium departments to integrate education into all aspects of the organization.
• Partner with the Development team to support funding opportunities, cultivate donors for education initiatives.
• Serve as a key advisor on audience engagement, learning outcomes, and interpretive strategy.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with schools, universities, community organizations, and governmental agencies.
• Expand the Aquarium’s reach and relevance through collaborative initiatives.

Evaluation, Impact & AZA Alignment

• Establish and lead systems for measuring educational impact, audience engagement, and learning metrics.
• Ensure all programs align with AZA accreditation standards.
• Contribute to AZA initiatives, committees, and professional networks as a representative of the organization.

Physical Demands of the Job:

• Periods of standing and walking
• Extended periods of sitting with data entry

Work Environment & Expectation:

• This position operates at a leadership level and requires flexibility to support organizational priorities, including occasional evenings, weekends, and special events
• The Director is expected to maintain a visible presence across the organization while focusing primarily on strategic leadership and impact
• Job will primarily be in an office environment
• Some travel may be required

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus optional FSA/HSA accounts
  • Paid time off & 12 paid holidays per year
  • Paid bereavement leave and paid new child leave (birth, adoption, or placement)
  • Employer-paid short-term disability; optional long-term disability coverage
  • Convenient onsite childcare (employees pay approximately 20% of the cost)
• 401(k) with match up to 4% - fully vested from day 1 of contribution
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Aquarium membership
• Discounts on tickets, gift shop, and café purchases
• Free and discounted animal encounters
• Pet insurance and discounts
• Footwear discounts
• Entertainment, travel, and retail savings through Tickets at Work

While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. The overall work environment while performing this job includes exposure to weather conditions and the noise level is usually moderate. The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.

The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status. The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process. Should you require accommodations, please contact accommodation@livingplanetaquarium.org.