About East Coast Zoological Foundation
Established in 1986, the East Coast Zoological Society, d.b.a. East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF), is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Melbourne, Florida. It includes Brevard Zoo, Restore Our Shores, and the future Aquarium and Conservation Center campuses that will work collaboratively to ensure our mission to share our joy of nature to help wildlife and people thrive is realized.
Since its inception, the community has been an integral part of the Zoo, with the Brevard Zoo recognized as the largest community-built Zoo worldwide, supported by nearly 16,000 volunteers who collectively contributed 84,808 hours of labor. Located 55 miles outside central Orlando, the Brevard Zoo has become the largest zoo in East Central Florida, caring for nearly 900 animals and welcoming more than 500,000 guests a year, with 44% of guests from outside the county.
With the help of its surrounding community, the Zoo has continually been recognized as a leading institution in top zoo lists and awards from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Brevard Zoo has continuously been voted as a top zoo in the nation by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice awards.
Position Summary
East Coast Zoological Foundation seeks a mission-driven, entrepreneurial Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) to bring experience in philanthropy and development strategy and execution to lead the strategy and implementation of an in-process $100+ million comprehensive campaign aimed at elevating enterprise-wide revenue generation and funding the development and operation of a world-class Aquarium campus. The Brevard Zoo and its conservation efforts have been and continue to be vitally important to the community as we answer the call to ensure people and wildlife thrive. This community connection is an important facet of our Legacy Campaign for the aquarium, as the community is invested in the programs we offer, the exemplary experience we provide for guests, and the care we take with our animals and their habitats.
After three decades of successfully operating the nationally ranked Brevard Zoo, the ECZF has embarked on this campaign to improve and expand the Zoo’s offerings and grow the organization’s footprint and impact through the addition of the Aquarium campus. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CPO is responsible for the overall performance and growth of enterprise-wide philanthropic revenue, community engagement, and strategic partnerships. The CPO provides strategic leadership for achieving organizational goals, directly supervising development staff, and providing day-to-day oversight and management of all fundraising and campaign efforts. They will develop, implement, and communicate effective fundraising strategies and processes for engagement, cultivation, and stewardship of all contributed revenue. This search is intended to fill the vacancy of the inaugural CPO who left the post in September 2024.
Anticipated milestones for the Philanthropy Department include:
Design and implement a strategy to raise an additional $40-50 million in campaign funds to finance the construction of the Aquarium project in full and fund the ongoing operation of both campuses.
Design and implement an overarching development strategy independent of the campaign fundraising efforts to sustain the organization’s annual operations and increase its operating budget.
Plan and develop strategies for Major, Principal, and leadership giving, corporate sponsorships, government grants and private foundation funding, annual and digital fundraising, and planned giving.
The ideal CPO is a dynamic and trusted leader who can build and execute thoughtful and ambitious development strategies while ensuring excellence in fundraising and relationship building across the enterprise, its multiple campuses, and programs. They will have exceptional interpersonal and people management skills, with the ability to build and manage high-performing, cohesive teams. The CPO will be a results-oriented revenue producer with high standards for excellence. They will be a clear, consistent, and empathetic communicator who excels at relationship building, constantly innovates, and is dependably pragmatic. They will have well-developed entrepreneurial instincts and naturally seek out new possibilities for growth and engagement. This next CPO is someone who thrives in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. They are a problem-solver and innovator driven by excellence, performance, and accountability. The CPO is responsible for establishing credibility throughout the organization and, in conjunction with the CEO and board, is an effective driver of new business development and sustainable funding opportunities.
The CPO must be committed to animal wellbeing and environmental conservation, have a passion for this mission, and be dedicated to working with the diversity of staff, stakeholders, donors, and communities we serve.
This is an incredible opportunity for an experienced development leader to join the organization’s Executive Team, leading the transformation of Brevard Zoo’s revenue generation and the continued development of a new world-class Aquarium Campus. The CPO is responsible for the organization’s contributed revenue (approx. 11% of annual income) as a complement to its earned revenue (~89%) generated by attendance. This includes an acute and consistent focus on maintaining and growing existing revenue sources and driving new, ongoing revenue through strategic engagement of philanthropists, individual donors, member households, and institutional funders. The CPO is charged with completing the organization’s historic Our Legacy Campaign and increasing revenue through traditional and entrepreneurial initiatives.
The CPO will play an integral role in completing the campaign, supporting the ongoing development of the new Aquarium Campus, and leading ongoing fundraising performance and operations across the two facilities (Brevard Zoo campus and the in-process aquarium at Port Canaveral) and the field-based program, Restore Our Shores. This position provides broad oversight and overall supervision of development strategies for the Zoo and Aquarium campuses.
The CPO will work collaboratively with other members of the Executive Leadership Team to ensure all resources and assets across the organization are appropriately leveraged to support and maximize revenue generation. They will prioritize efficient, effective contributions to the strategic plan and maximize the deployment of financial resources to increase funds raised across revenue streams.
The CPO oversees all fundraising efforts, donor research and engagement, data management and integrity, and all other philanthropy operations. In addition to the existing responsibilities, this role requires expertise in gift solicitation, people management, fundraising mentorship, professional development, hiring high-performing fundraising talent, conflict resolution, data analysis, and creative problem-solving. As a member of Executive Leadership, the CPO is expected to participate with all other team members in a collegial and collaborative manner, considering issues and making decisions from the view of the ECZF as a whole, without partiality to one’s own area(s) of responsibility. Members of the Executive Leadership Team must be able to employ systems thinking and embrace all areas of the ECZF as interrelated and interdependent.
Essential Job Functions
The CPO position requires demonstrable fundraising and people leadership success, an entrepreneurial mindset, and an ability to develop alliances and coordinate the shared interests of all aspects of the East Coast Zoological Foundation and its multiple campuses. It requires excellent strategic, communications, and problem-solving skills to meet the challenges of a growing cultural institution focused both on its existing Zoo campus in Melbourne, FL, and the development of an emerging world-class Aquarium Campus located nearby at Port Canaveral. This leadership role necessitates the ability to operate strategically and methodically in a fast-paced environment where the organization’s fundraising, external relations, cultural, and experiential dimensions continue to evolve.
A track record of successful enterprise-wide fundraising strategy creation and implementation, campaign management and achievement, change management, and cultivation of an institutional culture of philanthropy in which every team member and volunteer understands the importance of their role in engaging with existing and prospective donors, and how this contributes to organizational growth and excellence.
The successful candidate must have comprehensive experience in and advanced knowledge of the following:
Planning and leadership of capital campaigns and major fundraising initiatives, overseeing the development and execution of strategies that secure significant financial contributions to support the organization’s long-term goals.
Development and execution of a comprehensive strategic fundraising plan that includes annual giving, major, principal, and planned giving, corporate sponsorships and strategic institutional partnerships, private and government grants, digital fundraising and direct response, among other revenue streams.
Cultivation and management of relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
Staffing and supporting Board committees.
Organizational and project budget development, monitoring, and reporting.
Organizational development, change management, and culture building.
Oversight and mentorship of the board, CEO, and staff as engaged contributors to increasing fundraising results, fostering a culture of philanthropic growth and excellence.
Close collaboration with the board, CEO, and staff to align fundraising goals with organizational strategy.
Representing the organization in public forums and engagement with key stakeholders.
Primary direct responsibilities include:
Leadership + Strategy
Collaborate with the CEO in setting and driving organizational vision and contributed revenue strategy; collaborate with the CEO on long-term plans for corporate growth and evolution.
Translate strategy into actionable steps for contributed revenue growth of the ECZF, implementing a high-performing fundraising team, management, and annual revenue planning and achievement.
Direct and implement organizational goals, budgets, and objectives related to all aspects of ECZS philanthropic engagement.
Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and meet company goals while supplying expertise and guidance on development, marketing, member engagement strategies, and programs.
Contribute to the Executive leadership team’s cultivation and maintenance of a highly inclusive culture that ensures team members can thrive and organizational goals are met.
Present periodic performance reports and metrics to the CEO and board of directors.
Work collaboratively with leadership team members to develop, implement, and communicate necessary department-specific and institutional policies and procedures.
Work with the other officers and Aquarium and Zoo directors to play a key role in staffing the new campus and setting up an effective matrix reporting system.
Ensure joint planning and ongoing collaboration between the two physical campuses and Restore Our Shores facilities.
Model organizational practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), donor engagement, and conflict resolution.
Serve as a key advisor to the CEO.
Other duties as assigned.
Fundraising
Establish, implement, and communicate the strategic direction of the organization’s fundraising and member engagement.
Lead development, implementation, and execution of the Zoo and Aquarium strategic fundraising plans in partnership with their respective Executive Directors and the CEO.
Direct and oversee the day-to-day activities of the ECZF fundraising, including partnering with the COO on on-site guest experiences and marketing.
Set vision and strategy to continue the momentum of the current capital campaign to ensure its successful completion by 2027.
Ensure proper tracking of campaign solicitations and gifts.
Establish an individual giving campaign with an emphasis on major, principal, and planned gifts.
Maintain knowledge of emerging trends in fund development and philanthropy.
Serve as primary staff lead managing the Campaign Cabinet and Philanthropy Committees.
People Management + Culture
Works with the other officers and Aquarium and Zoo Directors to play a key role in staffing the new campus and setting up an effective matrix reporting system.
Models organizational practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), workplace safety, and conflict resolution.
Works collaboratively with leadership team members to develop, implement, and communicate necessary institutional policies and procedures.
Operations
Work across departments to ensure donor experience and engagement offerings support ongoing organizational revenue and performance objectives.
Identify, recommend, and implement new processes, technologies, and systems to improve and streamline fundraising performance and deployment of organizational resources.
Ensure that departmental decisions and project plans, such as staffing, development, and consulting resources align with the organization’s budget, business plan, mission, and vision.
Establish, communicate, and implement philanthropy-related policies, practices, and security measures to ensure effective, consistent support and execution across the organization.
Establish and administer the department’s budget; support financial planning, reporting, controls, and related systems for areas of responsibility; and ensure that these processes coordinate with the overall organizational activities.
Help prioritize the management and use of funds to align with the organization’s vision, mission, and strategic plan.
Direct and participate in the negotiation and administration of contracts for major services related to philanthropy.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate has extensive experience building and executing development strategies, including relationship management and customer/stakeholder relations. The CPO is highly organized, detail-oriented, and systems-focused; a strong researcher, writer, and cross-functional project manager. They are a strong people manager and culture builder with significant campaign fundraising experience.
Position Requirements
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Seven (7) to ten (10) or more years of experience in a senior fundraising leadership role.
A proven track record of achieving seven- to ten-figure fundraising goals with demonstrable success soliciting major, principal, and planned gifts.
Capital campaign strategy, leadership, and execution experience are essential.
An advanced degree in Business Administration, Organizational Management, Nonprofit Administration, or a related field is strongly preferred.
CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) credential is a plus.
Skills + Competencies
High emotional intelligence; able to understand the needs and concerns of partners and colleagues.
Exceptional ability to communicate with all levels of internal and external management/leadership.
Professional and well-organized with strong time management skills; detailed, with the ability to manage multiple priorities/projects concurrently.
Ability to handle high-pressure situations in a calm, productive manner.
Well-developed decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Strictly confidential with the ability to handle and protect sensitive, personal, and confidential information/material.
Demonstrated ability to think and plan strategically in micro (localized/departmental-level) and macro (global/organizational-level) contexts.
Ability to document processes and procedures, ensuring seamless transitions of duties amidst planned or unplanned absences or personnel changes.
Ability to effectively manage individual contributors and multiple teams.
Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with vendors, sponsors, stakeholders, and colleagues.
Possess the following personal attributes: mission-driven, trustworthy, strategic, organized, results-driven, self-starter, inclusive, transparent, and collaborative.
Strategic thinker and planner.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft applications.
Flexibility and resilience in the face of external threats to ECZF’s development objectives.
Curiosity and motivation to maintain an up-to-date understanding of philanthropic, executive, and leadership industry best practices.
Task- and outcome-oriented.
While direct knowledge and experience in a Zoo, Aquarium, or environmentally focused mission area are not required, the ideal candidate will be passionate about animal welfare, education, conservation, and our environment and will understand the value proposition of our organization, our local communities, and the global community of conservationists.
Reporting Relationships†
The CPO reports directly to the CEO and has the following supervisory responsibilities:
Director of Philanthropy
o Community Engagement Manager
§ Community Engagement Specialist
§ Philanthropic Events Assistance
o Philanthropic Operations Manage
§ Philanthropic Operations Coordinator
§ Philanthropy Assistant
Director of Major Gifts
o Senior Philanthropy Officer
o Philanthropy Officers (3) (contractor)
Director of Grants + Annual Fund
o Grants + Annual Fund Manager
o RestoreOur Shores Manager
o Annual Appeal Specialist
† Bold indicates direct report
Compensation + Benefits
The salary for this position is approximately $180,000-$200,000. New employees are eligible for company insurance benefits on the first day of the month following 60 days of continuous full-time employment. Benefits include:
Medical insurance
Dental and Vision insurance
Life and Short-term disability insurance
Voluntary long-term disability, accident, critical illness options
Voluntary term life and AD+D coverage
Health Savings Account (HSA) for eligible employees
403(b) retirement plan with a discretionary match up to 3% of base salary
Paid time off accrues at 5.23 hours per pay period for a total of 136 hours or seventeen (17) days per year for employees in their first three years; in months 36-71, a total of 184 hours or twenty-three (23) days per year are accrued at 7.07 hours per pay period; beginning at 72 months, employees accrue a total of twenty-eight (28) days per year; maximum carryover is 160 hours
Bereavement leave offered in the event of the loss of a family member, a companion pet, or a Zoo animal in an employee’s direct care
Employee assistance program
Zoo membership and tickets
Admission to local attractions through AttractionShare
As a reflection of our firm’s commitment to equity and equal pay for all, Cooper Coleman requires that salary ranges or salary starting points be published for every search we conduct. The practice of not posting salaries perpetuates the gender and racial wage gap and discriminates against women, people of color, and other historically excluded populations by causing individuals to negotiate from a disadvantaged starting point.
Location
This position is based in Brevard County, FL. The successful candidate must reside in or relocate to the Brevard County region.
Background Checks
Before sending your resume for this position, please read it over for accuracy. Cooper Coleman verifies its candidates’ employment and academic credentials at the time of offer.
Note: ECZF performs drug screening and background checks on all staff members as a condition of employment and must be completed before the start date.
EEO + Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
ECZF provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Brevard Zoo complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
ECZF expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of ECZF’s employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.
ECZF will not tolerate retaliation against employees who raise concerns or who file a claim of discrimination whether through external agencies or through ECZF’s internal procedures. Please see the following link for more information: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov)
This job description is a summary and is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required by the employee. This document is subject to change at any time.
Brevard Zoo is committed to an inclusive environment where employees are encouraged to be their authentic selves. We value the diverse qualities, perspectives, and experiences of all individuals. Join us in sharing the joy of nature to help people and wildlife thrive.
Submission Instructions
To apply, click the apply now button and complete the brief application. All expressions of interest must be made through this link.
Cooper Coleman LLC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or identity, age, ability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.