Director of Operations

Direct Reports:
Facilities department, Director of Event Sales & Experiences

Vendor Relationship Lead for:
Retail,Childcare, Landscape, Janitorial, Pest Control

Compensation: DOE

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.

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 Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center currently under construction, the Aquarium will soon become 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.

The Director of Operations is a strategic and hands‑on leader responsible for ensuring Loveland Living Planet Aquarium operates safely, efficiently, and in alignment with its mission and long‑term strategic goals.

This role provides oversight of the Aquarium’s core operational functions, including facilities, infrastructure, vendor partnerships, campus services, and overall guest‑facing operational readiness. The Director ensures that the Aquarium remains a premier destination through high standards of safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.

In addition, the Director provides executive oversight of the Aquarium’s events and venue operations through the Director of Event Sales & Experiences, ensuring event activities integrate smoothly into broader campus operations and support LLPA’s guest experience and revenue objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Facilities Management, Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, facilities, or campus‑based environments
• Demonstrated experience managing large budgets and multiple vendor/service contracts
• Experience in nonprofit, hospitality, public‑attraction, or mission‑driven environments strongly preferred
• Familiarity with event or venue operations is beneficial but not required as a primary focus of the role
• Proven success leading complex operations in a public‑facing, mission‑driven environment (aquarium, zoo, museum, theme park, or similar).
• Deep knowledge of facilities management, infrastructure systems, and vendor oversight.
• Strong financial acumen, project planning, and performance measurement skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration abilities.
• Commitment to operational excellence, safety, sustainability, and exceptional guest experience.

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and integration for all operational departments, ensuring alignment with LLPA’s mission,…