This position contributes to the success Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by creating and providing an extraordinary guest experience, driving attendance through engaging and impactful onsite and offsite special events, experiences, and promotions to help grow the Zoo’s audience base.
This is a non-union full-time salaried position, grade 08 with an expected hiring range of $67,000 to $73,700 annually. For our Benefits Summary Information, follow this link to our Benefits Tableor copy and paste the following in your internet browserwww.brookfieldzoo.org/custom.czs/files/06/06337b2c-b3db-45a2-8eb2-f8362486bd0e.pdf(please refer to the non-union, full-time employee section) and/or refer to the benefitdetails provided below after the job description information.
PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
- *Plan, execute, and oversee an annual series of special events aligned with Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s marketing and attendance goals, including flagship events like Holiday Magic, Boo! at the Zoo, and Roaring Nights.
- *Enhance existing events and develop new ones by researching and recommending concepts, developing detailed plans for layouts, promotional materials, innovative ideas, run-of-show, attendance goals, revenue, and profit projections to support decision-making and align with Brookfield Zoo's strategic goals.
- *Oversee all aspects of special events, including collaboration with external vendors, internal teams, and partners on event elements, gathering feedback, managing negotiations, facilitating communication, and ensuring seamless execution.
- *Manage event budgets, track expenditures and revenue, and optimize ROI. Source vendors, build and negotiate contracts, and issue RFPs in compliance with BZC policies, including MBE/WBE/DBE Supplier Diversity requirements.
- *Maintain comprehensive special event records, including attendance, weather data, budget, and guest feedback, and prepare post-event reports to evaluate performance and inform future planning.
- *Lead email communications for events, including crafting promotional campaigns, developing "know before you go" information, and building and distributing post-event surveys to gauge satisfaction and gather actionable feedback.
- *Be onsite for all Zoo events to oversee execution and address any issues in real-time.
- *Oversee shipping fulfillment, event integration, promotion, and onsite experience of the animal adoption program to ensure efficient operations and guest satisfaction.
- *Develop and implement actions to improve workplace culture with an emphasis on driving results and fostering inclusion. Actively lead employee engagement, talent development, and retention initiatives. Responsible for hiring, selection, placement, orientation, training, and management of assigned staff, including but limited to schedules and time off, performance reviews, recognition, staff development, disciplinary actions, and recommendations of employment actions.
- *Develop, cultivate, and manage marketing promotions in collaboration with external stakeholders, such as partnering with cultural institutions, sports teams, and community organizations to increase visibility, create unique onsite programs, and drive attendance. Initiatives may include hosting external partners for social media and email content creation, offering ticketing collaborations, featuring the Zoo at external events, or organizing exclusive member-first experiences to enhance engagement and awareness.
- Other related duties as assigned.
* Denotes Essential Job Function(s)
POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Hospitality, Event Planning, or a related field or eight years of equivalent experience with a high school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED) required.
- Six years minimum experience in event planning with minimum two years of manager, supervisory, or similar experience.
- Computer proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a warm, amiable personality. Ability to build rapport and interact effectively with others, including but not limited to internal staff, vendors, suppliers, and media.
- English fluency at a full professional proficiency.
- Must be proactive, persistent, helpful, and able to deal calmly with multiple issues.
- Experience developing and managing budgets required.
- Strong communication skills, verbal, written, including effective listening and presentation skills.
- Ability to maintain the confidentiality of privileged information.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Must be self-motivated, flexible, confident, and enjoy working in a dynamic environment.
- Strong coordinating, follow-up and follow-through skills essential.
- Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
- Valid driver’s license required. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois license within 90 days of hire. Valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents.
DESIRABLE/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.
- Experience working for another experience-based organization, zoo, aquarium, museum, or cultural organization a plus.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. Incumbent is required to gain an intimate understanding of the organization, its mission, vision, values, and philosophies and how advancement activities impact the operation and sustainability of BZC. Incumbent is expected to effectively integrate and coordinate work with a variety of other departments. Must be comfortable with long periods standing, being outside, and dealing with varying weather conditions. Must be comfortable working in an environment that is mission and values driven. Incumbent must be self-motivated, highly professional, tactful, a problem solver, and represent the organization in a professional manner. Must be passionate about their work and have a commitment to excellence. Because BZC is an organization that runs at a very fast pace with multiple, rapidly changing priorities, the incumbent must be flexible and adaptable and comfortable working in a dynamic organization. Incumbent is expected to be present and visible at events sponsored by BZC for employees, and other audiences, including evenings, weekends, and early mornings, as needed.
We are pleased that you are considering joining our dedicated team at Brookfield Zoo Chicago (BZC). Below is a summary of Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s generous employee benefits.
Please note, benefits vary based on whether benefits are provided through the Teamsters Union for positions represented by the Teamsters or by Brookfield Zoo Chicago for non-union positions. For non-union positions, some benefits also differ by pay grade classification if noted.
Non-Union Full-Time Employees
Eligibility: Eligible employee is defined as a regular, full-time employee who is regularly scheduled to work a minimum of 35 hours or more per week. Coverage begins on the date of hire. Have a family? You can also cover your spouse, civil union partner, and/or eligible children who are under age 26.
Time away from work: Paid Time Off (PTO) is accrued based on Years of Service and pay grade on a per-pay-period basis starting on the date of hire. Unused PTO time carries forward from one calendar year to the next to a specified maximum. Below are the equivalent amounts employees, who work 8 hours per day or 10 hours per day, earn in a 12-month period. An employee’s pay grade is included in the job description.
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Years of Service
New hire- 5 years
5+ years
10+ years
15+ years
20+ years
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Positions in Grades 01H-06
▪ 21 days
▪ 26 days
▪ 31 days
▪ 36 days
▪ 37 days
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Positions in Grades
07H-14-14MT-15MT
▪ 26 days
▪ 26 days
▪ 31 days
▪ 36 days
▪ 37 days
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Positions in Grades
16H-17MT
▪ 31 days
▪ 31 days
▪ 36 days
▪ 36 days
▪ 37 days
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Positions in Grades
07H1-081 (10hr/day)
▪ 18 days
▪ 22 days
▪ 26 days
▪ 30 days
▪ 31 days
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Holidays: Non-union employees are eligible for 8 paid holidays per year.
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1.
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New Year’s Day
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2.
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Memorial Day
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3.
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Juneteenth
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4.
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Independence Day
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5.
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Labor Day
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6.
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Thanksgiving Day
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7.
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Day after Thanksgiving Day
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8.
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Christmas Day
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Medical Insurance: Employees may choose from one of two medical plans: Blue Cross-Blue Shield HMO or PPO Plan. A waiver credit is available to employees who waive enrollment in medical insurance. Coverage begins on the employee’s hire date.
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Benefit
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Coverage Tiers Available
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HMO Employee Cost
(biweekly)
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PPO Employee Cost
(biweekly)
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Waiver Credit
(biweekly)
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Medical Insurance
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Single, Single +1, Family
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$71.19 - $279.22
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$46.26 - $181.49
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Not Applicable
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Medical Waiver
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Not Applicable
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Not Applicable
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Not Applicable
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-$38.47
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|
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HMO
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PPO
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Annual Deductible
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$0
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For In-Network: $250 Individual / $500 Family
For Out-of-Network: $500 Individual / $1,000 Family
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Out-of-pocket maximum
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$1,500 Individual / $3,000 Family
Prescription drug expense limit: $1,000 Individual / $2,000 Family
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For In-Network: $1,000 Individual / $2,000 Family
For Out-of-Network: $2,000 Individual / $4,000 Family
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Doctor Visits
PCP Visit
Specialist Visit
Preventive care/
screening/Immunization
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$20/visit
$60/visit
No Charge
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$20/visit; deductible does not apply
$40/visit; deductible does not apply
No Charge; deductible does not apply
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Hospitalization
Facility Fee
Physician’s/surgeon’s fees
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$250/day
No Charge
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20% co-insurance
20% co-insurance
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Prescription Drugs
Generics
Preferred Brand Drugs
Non-Preferred Brand Drugs
Specialty Drugs
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$30/prescription (retail)
$60/prescription (mail order)
$45/prescription (retail)
$90/prescription (mail order)
$60/prescription (retail)
$120/prescription (mail order)
$60/prescription (retail)
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Deductible does not apply
$5/prescription (retail), $10/prescription (mail order)
$15/prescription (retail), $30/prescription (mail order)
$30/prescription (retail), $60/prescription (mail order)
$5/$15/$30/ prescription (retail)
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Dental Insurance & Vision Care Coverage: A dental plan and an employee-paid vision care plan are available. A waiver credit is offered to employees who waive enrollment in the dental plan. Coverage begins on the employee’s hire date.
Mental Health: Support, counseling, and resources for life issues at no cost to the employee. Eligible employees and their immediate family have access to Perspectives, a dynamic Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) which provides 24/7, confidential care and resources to address work and life stressors.
Retirement Savings: A 401(k) savings plan is available for all employees. Choose either pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions. First of the quarter following one year of service, eligible employees receive matching contributions of 50% of the first 6% you contribute.
Employer-paid Income Protection: Short-Term and Long-Term disability benefits are available which provide up to 60% of the employee’s base weekly wages for the first 90 days, then up to 60% of the employee’s monthly wages if the employee is unable to return to work. Basic Term Life & Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance policies each in the coverage amount of 1X the employee’s annual salary, plus an additional $10,000 in coverage. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in these benefits upon hire.
Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Brookfield Zoo Chicago believes in helping eligible employees take advantage of pre-tax savings for eligible healthcare and/or dependent care expenses. Eligible employees may set aside pre-tax dollars from their paychecks to save for pre-tax reimbursement of qualified healthcare and/or dependent care expenses.
Voluntary Benefits:
- Supplemental Term Life Insurance
- Group Accident Insurance
- Supplemental Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
- Group Critical Illness Insurance
- Supplemental Dependent Life Insurance
- Identity Theft Protection
The mission of Brookfield Zoo Chicago is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, American Humane, and the Allianceof Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
