Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoology Program Director

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoology Program Director is a senior program and academic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive zoology programs that span classroom instruction, field research, animal husbandry, conservation projects, and community outreach. This role combines academic leadership, operations and budget management, grant and fundraising expertise, regulatory compliance (IACUC, permits), faculty and staff supervision, and external partnership development to grow high‑impact zoology initiatives that deliver scientific outcomes and student success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Zoology Program Manager or Coordinator
Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor in Zoology, Wildlife Biology, or Animal Science
Conservation Program Manager or Field Research Lead

Advancement To:

Director of Biological Sciences or Natural Sciences
Dean, School of Biological & Environmental Sciences
Chief Conservation Officer / Executive Director of a research NGO

Lateral Moves:

Wildlife Program Director
Museum Curator for Natural History
Director of Field Research Operations

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide strategic leadership and vision for the zoology program, defining short- and long-term goals, measurable outcomes, and KPIs that align with institutional mission and conservation priorities.
Develop, review, and maintain an integrated curriculum across undergraduate and graduate zoology courses, ensuring alignment with accreditation standards, learning outcomes, and workforce needs.
Lead, mentor, recruit, and evaluate faculty, instructors, technicians, and field staff; design faculty development programs and promote research productivity and teaching excellence.
Oversee design and execution of field research and monitoring programs, ensuring scientific rigor in study design, data collection, statistical analysis, and publication of results.
Manage program budgets, financial forecasting, and resource allocation; prepare and justify budget requests and monitor expenditures to meet fiscal objectives.
Lead grant writing, contract negotiation, and funding portfolio development (government, foundation, corporate, and philanthropic sources); coordinate proposal development and stewardship of awarded grants.
Ensure compliance with all regulatory and ethical standards for animal care and use, including Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols, federal and state permits, and institutional policies.
Oversee animal husbandry, veterinary care coordination, husbandry SOPs, quarantine procedures, and welfare audits across laboratory, captive, and field settings.
Design and implement safety and risk management programs for fieldwork, laboratories, and classrooms, including training, emergency responsePlans, and insurance coordination.
Build and maintain partnerships with universities, research institutions, conservation NGOs, government agencies, and community stakeholders to expand program reach and impact.
Direct community outreach, public education, and stakeholder engagement initiatives — including public lectures, K–12 programs, citizen science, and media relations — to raise program visibility.
Supervise facilities, equipment, and infrastructure for zoology teaching and research (animal housing, field stations, labs, molecular facilities), including maintenance and capital planning.
Oversee student recruitment, admissions (for graduate programs), advising, mentorship, internships, and experiential learning opportunities that foster academic and career development.
Lead program assessment and continuous improvement efforts, using quantitative and qualitative metrics to evaluate learning outcomes, research outputs, and conservation impact.
Coordinate interdisciplinary collaborations across ecology, genetics, conservation biology, veterinary science, and data science to enhance research innovation.
Serve as primary liaison for accreditation visits, external reviews, and program audits; prepare comprehensive reports and implement reviewer recommendations.
Develop and implement program marketing and communication strategies (web, social media, publications) to attract students, partners, and donors.
Negotiate and manage subawards, service agreements, and collaborative memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with partner organizations and field sites.
Supervise collection management, specimen accessioning, data curation, and archival practices to support research reproducibility and museum or repository standards.
Design and oversee experiential field programs, study abroad, seasonal field camps, and citizen-science campaigns—including logistics, risk assessments, and participant selection.
Champion equity, diversity, and inclusion in hiring, curriculum design, student recruitment, and community partnerships; create a supportive environment for historically underrepresented groups in the sciences.
Track and report program outcomes to institutional leadership and funders, prepare annual reports, and present program results at conferences and stakeholder meetings.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging science, funding landscapes, regulatory changes, and best practices in zoology, conservation, and higher education administration.
Facilitate translation of research into policy and management recommendations for wildlife agencies, conservation practitioners, and land managers.

Secondary Functions

Support grant and contract reporting, monitor deliverables, and coordinate audits with institutional grants offices.
Support ad-hoc data requests and collaborate with data scientists to ensure high-quality data management and reproducible workflows.
Coordinate volunteer, internship, and student assistant programs; provide training and supervision for temporary staff.
Assist with space allocation, lab scheduling, and inventory management for consumables and field supplies.
Participate in institutional committees, faculty senate, and cross-departmental initiatives that advance the broader academic mission.
Support marketing and enrollment teams with program materials, open house events, and recruitment campaigns.
Provide expert review for peer-reviewed journals, policy briefs, and grant panels to represent the program and elevate its scholarly profile.
Facilitate community advisory boards and stakeholder meetings to solicit feedback and co-develop program priorities.
Maintain and update SOPs, training manuals, and continuity plans for program operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Program management & strategic planning for academic and field programs
Curriculum design and accreditation compliance (higher education standards)
Grant writing, proposal development, and funder stewardship (NSF, NIH, foundations)
Budgeting, financial forecasting, and fiscal management for multi-year projects
Animal care and welfare compliance, IACUC protocol development and oversight
Field research design, sampling methods, telemetry, and long-term monitoring techniques
Laboratory methods in zoology (molecular techniques, histology, microscopy) and lab management
Data management, statistical analysis (R, Python or equivalent), and reproducible research workflows
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis for wildlife studies
Permits and regulatory compliance for wildlife handling, collection, and transport
Project management tools and methodologies (Agile, MS Project, Asana) and stakeholder coordination
Facility and operations oversight (field stations, animal housing, safety systems)
Scientific communication, publication strategy, and knowledge translation to stakeholders
Fundraising, donor relations, and development campaign support

(At least 10 of the above should be present in candidate profiles.)

Soft Skills

Strategic leadership and vision-setting to grow programs and build cross-sector partnerships
Outstanding written and verbal communication for academic, public, and funder audiences
Proven ability to mentor, teach, and develop faculty, staff, and students
Relationship building and diplomacy with government agencies, donors, and community partners
Strong problem solving and critical thinking under field and operational constraints
Decision-making with ethical judgment and a focus on animal welfare and safety
Adaptability to dynamic scientific, regulatory, and funding environments
Conflict resolution and performance management for diverse teams
Time management and prioritization across research, teaching, and administrative duties
Cultural competency and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in program delivery

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master's degree in Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Animal Science, Conservation Biology, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Ph.D. in Zoology, Ecology, Conservation Biology, or related discipline with demonstrated leadership in academic or program administration.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology
Wildlife Biology / Conservation Biology
Ecology / Evolutionary Biology
Animal Science / Veterinary Science
Environmental Science / Natural Resources
Museum Studies (for curation-focused programs)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

7–15+ years of progressive experience in zoology, wildlife research, conservation program management, or academic administration.

Preferred:

10+ years of combined experience leading academic programs or conservation initiatives, including at least 3–5 years in a supervisory/managerial role.
Demonstrated success securing external funding (grants, contracts, philanthropy), managing multi-stakeholder projects, and publishing peer-reviewed research.
Prior experience with IACUC or equivalent animal-care oversight, permit management, and field safety protocols preferred.