Director of Engagement and Entertainment

Director of Engagement and Entertainment

Job Category
:
Guest Services

Requisition Number
: DIREC
002002

• Posted :
  March 13, 2026
• Full-Time

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Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations.

DZCA honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe:
Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of:
Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do.

The Director of Engagement and Entertainment advances DZCA’s mission and goals by shaping how guests emotionally connect with wildlife and conservation through personal engagement, immersive storytelling, live interpretation, entertainment, events, and technology-enabled experiences. The Director of Engagement and Entertainment leads large teams of interpretive, entertainment, and audio-visual/technology professionals, providing strategic direction for onsite interpretation, seasonal experiences, public programs, and traveling exhibits.

This ensures experiences are fun, inclusive, accessible, mission-driven, and financially sustainable.

Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If youre excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, DZCA is the place for you!

Vision and Strategy

• Collaboratively, develop and steward a multi-year vision and strategic roadmap for guest engagement, entertainment, interpretation, and immersive experiences across campus.
• Define how DZCA creates moments of connection, joy, curiosity, and empathy, translating mission and values into engaging guest-facing experiences.
• Ensure engagement strategies align with broader organizational priorities, campus planning, operating calendars, and major milestone celebrations.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach, and develop large teams of interpretive, event, and AV/technology professionals, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that supports professional growth and innovative thinking.
• Build scalable team structures, training pathways, and performance expectations that support both daily operations and long-term innovation.
• Review department organization to ensure staffing levels, schedules, and staffing structure provide for the organization's standard operations.

Program Direction and Leadership

Engagement, Interpretation, and Storytelling/Mission Connection

• Lead the strategic direction for onsite interpretation, emphasizing immersive, interactive, and curiosity-driven storytelling.
• Ensure conservation messages are delivered in ways that are fun, accessible, emotionally resonant, culturally relevant, and appropriate for diverse audiences.
• Partner cross-functionally to align interpretive content with animal care, conservation science, education, and brand voice.

Events, Seasonal Experiences, Traveling Exhibits

• Create and oversee a multi-year strategy for signature events, seasonal programs, and traveling exhibits, balancing guest experience excellence with revenue optimization.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop novel and unique engagement concepts that drive visitation, repeat attendance, and community connection.
• Collaborate with Audience Development, In-park Revenue, Operations, Belonging, Communications leaders, and external partners to ensure events and exhibits are operationally sound, financially viable, and guest-focused.

Technology and Audio Visual

• Set vision for audio-visual, interactive, and immersive technologies, ensuring experiences are multi-sensory and seamlessly integrated into the guest journey.
• Ensure A/V operations strategically support the Zoo’s mission and enhance the guest experience by aligning technology and staff talent.

Accessibility and Audience Reach

• Oversee the development of a diverse portfolio of public programs that engage a wide range of audiences, ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Ensure programs and experiences are designed with accessibility, inclusion, and cultural relevance at the forefront.
• Use guest feedback, attendance data, and evaluation insights to evolve offerings and expand audience reach continuously.

Other Responsibilities and Duties

• Other assistance, as designated by manager, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. DZCA retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
• Acts as a good steward of the DZCA's resources.
• This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations.
• The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary…