Director, Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.

Director, Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes

Full-Time | Lincoln Park Zoo | Chicago, IL

Lincoln Park Zoo is seeking a full-time

Director to lead the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes. The Fisher Center conducts innovative, multidisciplinary research to deepen our understanding of primate behavior, biology, and cognition, enhance the welfare and management of apes in human care, and support the conservation of wild chimpanzee and gorilla populations.

Reporting to the

Vice President of Conservation and Science, the Director will provide strategic and visionary leadership, overseeing all aspects of the center’s operations while serving as an ambassador for the Fisher Center across the scientific, zoological, and conservation communities. This work includes leading research initiatives, fostering internal and external collaborations, ensuring scientific integrity, and cultivating partnerships that extend the reach and impact of the center’s work. The Director will maintain and grow the zoo’s longstanding relationship with its conservation partner, Congo-Apes while overseeing various long-term projects, such as our behavioral monitoring and touchscreen programs and Project ChimpCARE.

Essential Functions To perform this job successfully, the director must be able to perform each of the essential functions.

• Serve as the senior administrator of the Fisher Center, responsible for setting and executing a strategic vision aligned with Lincoln Park Zoo�s mission and strategic plan.
  
• Supervise and mentor scientific staff and interns, fostering a culture of professional development, collaboration, and scientific excellence.
  
• Lead and coordinate cross-departmental collaborations with zoo teams including, primate and veterinary care teams, the Animal Welfare Science Program, and Learning and Development departments, among others.
  
• Design, implement, and manage research projects that reflect the center's mission and priorities.
  
• Promote the center�s initiatives internally and externally; support development and fundraising efforts by pursuing and writing grants and articulating the center�s impact to donors and key partners.
  
• Manage the center�s finances, including grant administration and budget oversight.
  
• Maintain and grow scientific and conservation partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally, with a particular focus on great ape welfare and conservation programs.
  
• Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and participation and leadership within key professional communities, such as Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) programs and committees.
  
• Represent Lincoln Park Zoo and the Fisher Center and enhance awareness of the need for primate conservation via communications in media, professional organizations, donor events, outreach to the public, and scientific conferences.
  
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and accountable team environment within the center and across the institution.
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as needed to support the mission of Lincoln Park Zoo.
  
• Serve as backup for other staff members during absences to ensure continuity of operations.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate with diverse audiences including the general zoo public, donor communities, school groups, early career scientists, and others.
  
• Strong ability to foster collaboration, build relationships, and resolve conflicts.
  
• Applied knowledge of behavioral research methods, data collection and analysis, and scientific interpretation.
  
• Expertise in one or more areas of non-human primate biology, including behavior, ecology, welfare, or conservation.
  
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences and inspire action and advocacy.
  
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary research and manage complex scientific projects.
  
• Demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring research staff and early career scientists in a team-oriented, inclusive environment.
  
• Ability to maintain professionalism, adaptability, and discretion in a dynamic, high-profile work environment.
  

Education Requirements

• A Ph.D. in a relevant field is strongly preferred. A combination of education, training, and experience that provides equivalent knowledge and skills may be considered.
  

Experience Requirements

• Significant experience in ape behavior, ecology, or conservation, with a strong record of peer-reviewed publications.
  
• Public speaking and scientific communication experience required.
  
• Experience with field conservation programs in Africa is preferred. Experience with other field conservation programs may be considered.
  

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
  
• Ability to work in an open office setting and traverse zoo grounds as needed.
  
• Ability to climb, lift objects, and access elevated areas as needed.
  

Additional Requirements

• Willingness and availability to travel domestically and internationally, particularly to Africa and Asia.
  
• Ability to work around dangerous animals and adhere to safety protocols and procedures.
  
• Availability to work occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays in support of zoo events and programming.
  
• This is a full-time, on-site position (Monday-Friday), with the possibility of limited, occasional hybrid flexibility based on department needs.
  
• Annual tuberculosis (TB) testing required.
  

OUR PROMISE

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values, and experiences of all people. For Wildlife. For All.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO BENEFITS

In addition to such standard benefits ( Blue Cross Blue Shield) as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverages, and a 403(b) savings plan with an institutional match, benefits of working at the zoo include (benefits are for regular full time employees):

• Free admission to many other Chicago cultural institutions
  
• Free on-site parking anytime with access to Lincoln Park, Lakeshore Trail, and North Avenue Beach
  
• Discounts on event tickets (free admission to select events), attractions, dining, and retail at the zoo
  
• Quarterly staff mingle events and �LPZooU†training and educational sessions about the zoo, wildlife, ecology, and related subjects
  
• Company contribution to Health Savings Account (Medical PPO only)
  
• A working environment with green spaces and regularly available visits with wildlife!
  

Salary dependent upon experience, range $90K-100K/year