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Aquarium Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aramark

Sales Manager - Adventure Aquarium

Camden, NJ · On-site

Adventure Aquarium has over 15,000 aquatic animals including the largest collection of sharks in ... Meet or exceed prospecting activity expectations as determined by Sales Management. Secure ...

Aquarium

Retail Associate

Houston, TX · On-site

$14.50 - $16.75/hr

Handle customer inquiries and resolve any issues promptly with management. * Promote and upsell Aquarium merchandise and special promotions. * Engage our Guest in their experience with Build A Bear ...

National Aquarium

SVP Chief Mission Officer

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

... manage institutional risk, and advance the Aquarium's mission, vision, and strategic plan. This role helps to foster a collaborative culture grounded in connection, optimism, operational integrity ...

Aquarium

Retail Associate

Houston, TX · On-site

$14.50 - $16.75/hr

Handle customer inquiries and resolve any issues promptly with management. * Promote and upsell Aquarium merchandise and special promotions. * Engage our Guest in their experience with Build A Bear ...

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$102.5K

How much do aquarium manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for aquarium manager in the United States is $61,351.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an aquarium manager?

Aquarium Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the daily operations of public or private aquariums. Their duties include managing staff, ensuring the health and safety of aquatic animals, maintaining water quality, and coordinating educational programs and exhibits. They also handle budgeting, procurement, and compliance with regulations. Effective Aquarium Managers combine knowledge of marine biology, business management, and strong leadership skills to ensure their facility runs smoothly and provides a positive experience for visitors.

What are some of the key challenges an aquarium manager might face in daily operations?

Aquarium Managers often encounter challenges such as maintaining optimal water quality, managing a diverse team of aquarists and support staff, and ensuring the health and wellbeing of a wide variety of aquatic species. Additionally, they must balance operational budgets, oversee exhibit maintenance, and comply with strict regulatory standards for animal care and public safety. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as the role requires collaborating with veterinarians, educators, and other departments to deliver a positive visitor experience while prioritizing animal welfare.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aquarium manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Aquarium Manager, you need expertise in marine biology or aquatic science, experience in animal husbandry, and often a relevant degree. Familiarity with water quality testing equipment, aquarium life support systems, and regulatory compliance software is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential for managing staff, ensuring animal welfare, and engaging with the public. These skills are crucial for maintaining healthy aquatic environments, meeting regulatory standards, and delivering exceptional visitor experiences.

What is the difference between Aquarium Manager vs Aquarium Technician?

AspectAquarium ManagerAquarium Technician
CertificationsOften requires advanced certifications in marine biology or aquacultureTypically requires basic certifications or relevant technical training
Work EnvironmentOversees entire aquarium operations, staff management, and visitor experiencePerforms hands-on maintenance, cleaning, and animal care
ResponsibilitiesManagement, budgeting, staff supervision, and strategic planningAnimal feeding, tank maintenance, and technical repairs

While both roles are vital in an aquarium setting, the Aquarium Manager focuses on overall operations and staff management, whereas the Aquarium Technician handles the technical and animal care tasks. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Aquarium jobs?

The most popular types of Aquarium jobs are:

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Aquarium Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aquarium Manager job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,351 per year, or $29.5 per hour.

Tennessee Aquarium | Chief Operating Officer

Chattanooga, TN • On-site

ThinkingAhead
51 - 200 employees
Learn more about ThinkingAheadexternal

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

The Tennessee Aquarium is seeking an accomplished, strategic, and highly collaborative Chief Operating Officer to help lead one of the nation's most respected aquariums through an ambitious new era of growth and impact.
Located on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, the Tennessee Aquarium is a nationally recognized leader in freshwater conservation, education, research, and exceptional guest experiences. Since opening in 1992, the Aquarium has welcomed millions of visitors, helped catalyze Chattanooga's celebrated riverfront renaissance, and built an extraordinary reputation for connecting people with nature and protecting the remarkable freshwater biodiversity of the Southeast.
Today, the Aquarium is building on that strong foundation while intentionally shifting its focus from business maintenance to impact growth. A new strategic platform is nearing completion, a ten-year facilities master planning process is on the horizon, and significant investments are underway in veterinary medicine, conservation science, education, guest experiences, and organizational capacity. In 2025, the Aquarium welcomed more than 784,000 guests while continuing to achieve strong financial, conservation, and educational results.
The Opportunity
Reporting to President & CEO Andy Wood, the Chief Operating Officer will serve as a key strategic and operating partner, helping translate the Aquarium's ambitious vision into coordinated action.
This is much more than a traditional operations role. The COO will oversee a broad portfolio of functions while helping ensure that the people, systems, facilities, resources, and organizational capacity are in place to support the Aquarium's next phase of growth. The role will influence guest experience and earned revenue; facilities and major capital projects; leadership development and organizational culture; safety, risk, and business continuity; long-term exhibit and facilities planning; and implementation of the Aquarium's emerging strategic plan.
The successful candidate will also play an important role in strengthening collaboration and accountability across a highly specialized organization and developing the next generation of Aquarium leaders. This individual will serve as a trusted partner to a visionary, energetic CEO, bringing sound judgment, prioritization, candid counsel, disciplined execution, and the ability to turn ambitious ideas into measurable results.
Key Responsibilities
The Chief Operating Officer will:
  • Translate strategic vision into clear priorities, operating plans, and measurable results.
  • Lead guest-facing operations with a strong focus on hospitality, attendance, earned revenue growth, and exceptional guest experiences.
  • Provide executive leadership for facilities, infrastructure, major capital projects, operational safety, disaster preparedness, and business continuity.
  • Partner in the development of the Aquarium's ten-year facilities master plan and long-term exhibit priorities.
  • Develop leaders, strengthen management capabilities, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, hospitality, and shared purpose.
  • Help lead the organization thoughtfully through growth and change while preserving the strengths of an already successful institution.
  • Strengthen cross-functional coordination and help highly specialized teams operate around shared organizational priorities.
  • Serve as a respected representative of the Tennessee Aquarium within the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and the broader professional community.

The Successful Candidate
Strong candidates will bring:
  • Seven or more years of senior leadership experience.
  • Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-functional operations and senior-level teams.
  • Strong business and financial acumen, including budgeting, P&L responsibility, revenue generation, resource allocation, and expense management.
  • A record of translating strategy and vision into disciplined execution.
  • Experience in an executive leadership position with a cultural institution is strongly preferred.
  • Exceptional judgment and the confidence to serve as a genuine operating partner to a CEO.
  • High emotional intelligence and demonstrated success developing leaders, building trust, and navigating different personalities and perspectives.
  • Experience guiding organizations and teams through meaningful growth and change.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a Board, executive colleagues, employees at all levels, and external stakeholders.
  • A genuine commitment to the Aquarium's mission and an understanding of how operational excellence, guest experience, revenue, conservation, and education work together to advance impact.

A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
Why Chattanooga?
Chattanooga combines an exceptional quality of life with an increasingly dynamic economy. Surrounded by mountains and the Tennessee River, the city offers extraordinary access to outdoor recreation alongside a vibrant downtown, restaurants, arts and cultural attractions, family activities, and comparatively affordable living. Chattanooga became the first National Park City in North America in 2025 and is continuing to invest in major new downtown and riverfront development.
Long known as the "Gig City" for its pioneering high-speed fiber infrastructure, Chattanooga is now emerging as a center for quantum computing, networking, research, and workforce development, adding another dimension to a diverse regional economy.
Compensation & Application
The Tennessee Aquarium offers an annual salary range of $200,000-$250,000, with the final offer based on experience and qualifications. Relocation assistance and a highly competitive comprehensive benefits package are provided. The position is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Tennessee Aquarium has retained Kay Linder, Partner with ThinkingAhead Executive Search's Nonprofit Practice, to lead this search.
For additional information, contact:
Kay Linder
Partner, Nonprofit Practice
ThinkingAhead Executive Search
[email protected]

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