Contract Zoo Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Responsible for the planning and production of Special Events at Houston Zoo. This includes internal events and events hosted by outside organizations and/or individuals. Tasks include private event sales, customizing design of events and coordinating all operational tasks associated with events including security, grounds, maintenance support, animal management, etc. Work closely with all the other zoo departments to ensure that events run smoothly from inception to completion. The overall focus is to drive revenue growth while maximizing the client experience and advancing the zoo mission. 

Our Mission: Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.

Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

• Makes decisions with the best interests of Houston Zoo: our mission, our guests, and our animal collection. 

• Plans, orders, accepts and oversees catering/food needs; tables, chairs, and linens; decorations; venue set-up; venue breakdown and other staffing needs for internal and external events. 

• Ensures that all event facility policies and procedures are being followed by clients and vendors, and recommend changes, as needed. 

• Secures contracts with vendors for events, making them aware of zoo policies and procedures. 

• Prepares event notices, work orders and other support requests in a timely manner. 

• Ensures complete, timely, accurate communication of special event details with appropriate departments, staff, and volunteers. 

• Ensures that the client’s needs have been met before, during and after an event, troubleshooting any issues that arise. 

• Contributes to the selling of private events, responding to inquiries via email and telephone. 

• Performs site visits for new and existing clients. 

• Prepares proposals, Banquet Event Orders, and updates event contracts as needed using Cater ease software. Creates event diagrams/layouts using diagramming software 

• Maximizes revenues for Houston Zoo through upselling techniques to meet revenue goals 

• Maintains an inventory of all event supplies and equipment. Replenish, repair, or replace inventory as needed.  

• Serves as Internal event staff to all other departments, including but not limited to: Development, Volunteers, Education, Animals and Conservation.  

• Conducts independent research on things such as industry trends and event venues to ensure Houston Zoo’s event program remains relevant and adaptable. 

• Independently oversees events assigned and is empowered to make timely, sound decisions across all operating hours, including before or after-hours events, weekends, and holidays. 

• Collaborates closely with the Business Operations team to align front- and back-of-house systems and processes, ensuring an efficient, integrated, and guest-focused experience. 

• Contributes to saving animals in the wild through:reduction of waste, water and energy use andinspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protection actions.  

• Contributes to other operational priorities as needed. 

Education and Experience  

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 

• Excellent oral and written communications skills 

• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills 

• Ability to partner across teams and with all levels of staff.  

ABOUT HOUSTON ZOO 

The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.

Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.