Organization: Saint Louis Zoo (including Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park) located in Saint Louis, Missouri
Reports to: Chief People and Culture Officer & General Counsel
About the Saint Louis Zoo:
The world-renowned Saint Louis Zoo is dedicated to saving species and bringing people and wildlife together. The Zoo attracts nearly 3 million guests each year. The Zoo organization is growing, with the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park set to open to the public in 2027, and the Zoo’s new Destination Discovery exhibit scheduled to open in 2026.
Learn more at: https://stlzoo.org/
About St. Louis, Mo:
From Explore St. Louis: “Urban explorer, outdoor adventurer, aficionado of family fun – no matter your travel persona, you’ll find plenty to do in St. Louis. The city is brimming with free, world-class attractions and boasts an arts-and-culture scene that’s second to none. Plus, fans of fresh air will be surprised and delighted by our flourishing public parks, miles of trails and exhilarating waterways. Sprinkle in a bit of our secret sauce – the warmth and hospitality of the residents – and you’ll discover that St. Louis dishes up undeniably epic travel experiences. Don’t take our word for it, though. Come and see for yourself.” Learn more at https://explorestlouis.com/
Position Summary:
The Saint Louis Zoo is looking for a dynamic team member to help lead our Government Affairs work. The Director of Government Affairs will continue to develop and lead the Zoo's government relations strategy at the federal, state, and local levels. This role involves building and maintaining relationships with government officials, community and corporate partners and agencies in order to help advance the Zoo's policy goals and advocate for its interests, along with the interests of the zoo and aquarium industry as a whole. Together with the Zoo’s external government affairs consulting firms/lobbyists, the Director monitors and analyzes legislative and regulatory developments, manages lobbying efforts, and advises the Zoo’s leadership on relevant policy matters. This role requires an individual who can navigate the complex landscape of government relations, develop and execute coordinated educational/advocacy strategies (where legally permissible) with other Zoo departments, and effectively represent the Zoo’s interests before a wide range of stakeholders.
This person would be the Zoo’s only full-time person that dedicates 100% of their time to Government Affairs work. This position is a part of the People and Culture Division of the Zoo, and will work closely with the Zoo’s General Counsel, the Director of DEAI/Community Relations, our executive leaders, and our primary communicators, including Public Relations and Marketing Communications, as well as managing our outside government affairs consultants/lobbyists. Candidates should demonstrate a work style that fosters an atmosphere of teamwork, collaboration and promotes the Zoo’s core values (Community, Creativity, Openness, Integrity, and Life-Work Balance). As someone who has a small team, this person will need to be able to prioritize their work and be able to balance multiple projects at once.
Responsibilities:
- Build upon, evaluate, and adjust as necessary, the Zoo’s overall government affairs strategy, serving as the main contact with government entities, and advising leadership on political and policy issues.
- Build relationships with public officials, lead lobbying/advocacy/educational efforts, draft official documents on policy matters, and monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting our organization.
- Analyze policy impacts, inform stakeholders, build coalitions with relevant groups, engage with community and business leaders, and manage consultants.
- Advance political relationships and/or initiatives on behalf of the Zoo.
- Internally, communicate to team members about the Zoo’s advocacy/education efforts and positions where applicable.
- Oversee a team of external consultants/lobbyists that will assist in advocating/educating issues on behalf of the Zoo and other partners in the zoo and aquarium industry.
- Educate lawmakers and policymakers on critical policies and proposals that advance or protect the Zoo’s (and/or the zoological industry’s) interests and garner support for such positions.
- With the Zoo’s General Counsel, ensure compliance with all relevant laws, ethics requirements and regulations under federal, state and local laws. As a tax-supported, political subdivision of the State and public entity, there are specific rules and regulations that the Zoo must abide with regards to government affairs.
- Represent the Zoo at a wide-range of policy, political and community meetings, events, etc.
- Help conduct tours of the Zoo’s campuses.
- Attend Zoo Board meetings as required to provide appropriate updates.
- Serve on the Zoo’s cross-functional Vision “Community” Team that seeks to align us with our external, community partners and stakeholders.
- Serve as one of the Zoo’s primary conduits with the ZMD Board, as well as elected officials, including the St. Louis City Mayor’s Office and St. Louis County Executive’s Office, on critical projects and board appointments.
- May be asked to represent the Zoo in industry-related groups, associations, etc. (e.g., helping to serve on task forces or committees within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
Qualifications:
- Must have at least 5-7 years of experience in government affairs or related fields, with a proven ability to build relationships with government officials and manage multiple priorities.
- A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required, with an advanced degree or law degree preferred.
- Necessary skills include excellent oral and written communication, strategic thinking, negotiation, and sound judgment.
- Proven ability to effectively communicate the Zoo’s mission and policy positions.
- Excellent interpersonal skills are needed as this person will collaborate with executive leadership, internal teams, and external partners to ensure the Zoo’s public policy agenda is advanced in a manner consistent with its mission, vision and core values.
- Comprehensive knowledge of public policy systems, with proven success in developing, implementing and evaluating coordinated advocacy, education and policy strategies.
- Ability to effectively work with policymakers and elected officials on a nonpartisan or bipartisan basis.
- Must be able to think both tactically and strategically.
- Must be able to navigate nuances of working for a tax-supported, public institution with numerous stakeholders.
- Applicants must possess a high degree of emotional intelligence and be aligned with the values of the Zoo and support its three foundational keys.
- All successful candidates for this position will be required to submit to a criminal background check.
- Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to prioritize their time to work across multiple campuses that may have differing priorities and needs.
Additional Expectations:
- Must be willing to travel to, and work at, all Zoo locations/campuses (including WildCare Park), and regularly attend meetings throughout the St. Louis region including meeting locations not on any of the Zoo campuses.
- Some travel, including to Jefferson City, Missouri, various AZA-related conferences and meetings, and potentially to Washington, D.C., will be required to support advocacy, legislative and relationship-building activities on behalf of the organization.
- Remote work may be required. Periodic work on weekends and evenings for certain events may also be required.
- This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; therefore, this person may be required to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.
