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

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