VP Planning Design

Job Summary

The Vice President of Planning & Design (VP) of the National Aquarium (NA) provides strategic vision and leadership for campuswide planning capital project development experiential and exhibit design and exhibit fabrication and operations. This dynamic and innovative leader drives the evolution of the National Aquariums facilities and guest experience ensuring it remains a worldclass institution while advancing fiscal responsibility conservation priorities and social equity initiatives. The VP collaborates with executive leadership and department teams to align strategies and execute projects that enhance the Aquariums mission and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee campuswide planning capital project and experiential exhibit design ensuring alignment with the Aquariums strategic vision and Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accreditation standards.
• Lead the Experiential Design and Exhibit Fabrication & Operations Teams fostering collaboration and efficiency.
• Drive the development and of capital and noncapital projects implementing streamlined effective processes to engage internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage a portfolio that includes National Aquarium Pier 3 & Pier 4 buildings and campus Candler office suite and Animal Care and Rescue Center with an annual capital budget ranging from $4M to $15M and a total portfolio value of $600M.
• Develop and oversee multiyear campus construction plans and provide leadership for major capital projects.
• Collaborate with Facilities Life Support Systems IT Animal Care & Welfare and other teams to ensure seamless project and facility maintenance.
• Partner with NA leadership internal teams and external resources to align planning initiatives with the Aquariums comprehensive campus plan.
• Advocate for design excellence in projects that balance animal welfare guest engagement operational efficiency and sustainability.
• Integrate sustainability efforts including the development of the Net Zero 2035 Plan.
• Champion diversity equity and inclusion in internal staffing and vendor partnerships ensuring engagement with MBE and WBE design and construction firms.
• Serve as a crossfunctional leader working across departments to enhance the onsite guest experience and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis on the capital budget process ensuring alignment between financial planning and project .
• Serve as a key representative of the Aquarium fostering positive relationships with planning design and engineering professionals construction contractors and government agencies.
• Ensure compliance with federal state and local regulations regarding the use of public funds and project .
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support the Aquariums mission and operations.

Leadership Qualities

• Visionary Leadership: Ability to navigate and innovate within the unique demands of an urban guestserving institution.
• Strategic : Balances longterm planning with direct project management and operational efficiency.
• Operational Excellence: Implements effective processes and prioritization strategies for capital and experiential projects.
• Innovation & Financial Stewardship: Drives forwardthinking solutions while ensuring financial sustainability.
• Collaboration & Relationship Building: Builds strong partnerships across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Commitment to Equity & Inclusion: Fosters a culture of transparency trust and belonging internally and externally.
• Team Leadership & Development: Mentors and empowers staff to achieve their highest potential.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelors degree in architecture design engineering planning construction management or a related field; masters degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years experience managing design and of major capital and exhibition programs in an institutional setting (zoo aquarium museum preferred).
• Expertise in public funding guidelines and regulatory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of building maintenance procedures infrastructure systems and sustainability practices.
• Proven experience in experiential and exhibit design fabrication and operations.
• Demonstrated leadership managing large crossfunctional teams and fostering a collaborative culture.
• Outstanding communication interpersonal and strategic planning skills.
• Highly organized and detailoriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines effectively.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of the National Aquarium leading transformative projects that enhance guest experience promote conservation and ensure the institutions continued excellence. If you are a visionary leader with a passion for planning design and sustainability we invite you to join us in driving innovation and impact at one of the worlds premier aquariums.

Total Compensation Information

Salary range: $118000 to $165499 annual

National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package including flexible paid leave and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of fulltime work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981 the National Aquarium in Baltimore Maryland is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquariums awardwinning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish birds amphibians reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits and we reach far more through our sciencebased education programs and handson field conservation work.The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquariums missionto connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planetbegins within the walls of its buildings but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement habitat restoration animal rescue and sustainable business practices with its conservation work guided by three overarching goalsto combat climate change save wildlife and habitats and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization our colleagues and ourselves and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other our guests the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service: We are in service to each other our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees volunteers and interns. Our goal is to recruit develop and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity equity inclusion and justice the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees volunteers and interns we do not discriminate on the basis of race color religion or belief national social or ethnic origin ancestry citizenship status age physical mental or sensory disability sex (including pregnancy or childbirth) marital status veteran status sexual orientation gender identity and/or expression genetic information arrest record family or caregiver status HIV status socioeconomic status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment including but not limited to recruitment training promotions performance management and separation and general treatment during time of employment.

Required Experience:

Exec