Aquarium Director Resume Example

Aquarium Director · The Florida Aquarium

Tampa, FL · 2018 - Present

• Directed a $45 million capital campaign for a new Wetlands Gallery and conservation hub, projected to increase annual visitors by 20% upon completion.
• Implemented advanced life support systems (LSS) for a 500,000-gallon habitat, reducing energy consumption by 15% and maintenance costs by 10% annually.
• Expanded aquaculture initiatives, successfully breeding 10 endangered species and contributing to a 30% reduction in wild-caught specimens.
• Increased earned revenue streams by 25% through strategic program development and corporate partnerships, exceeding annual targets by an average of 18%.

Director of Husbandry and Operations · Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid

Galveston, TX · 2012 - 2018

• Managed all aspects of animal care, exhibit maintenance, and LSS for over 1.5 million gallons of water, overseeing a team of 40 staff members.
• Orchestrated the renovation of two major exhibits, completing projects 10% under budget and 3 weeks ahead of schedule.
• Enhanced visitor education programs, leading to a 12% increase in repeat visitation and a 95% satisfaction rate in post-visit surveys.
• Developed and secured $2 million in grant funding for research into Gulf Coast marine biodiversity and habitat restoration projects.

Senior Curator of Fishes · National Aquarium

Baltimore, MD · 2007 - 2012

• Supervised the care and exhibition of over 10,000 fish specimens across 10 major exhibits, maintaining exceptional animal welfare standards.
• Designed and implemented new quarantine protocols, reducing disease outbreaks by 40% and improving overall animal health indices.
• Mentored and trained a team of 15 aquarists, fostering professional development and a 90% staff retention rate.
• Contributed to a significant increase in public engagement, with daily visitor interactions in curated areas rising by 20%.

Master of Science in Marine Biology · University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL · 2005 - 2007

• Specialized in advanced aquaculture techniques and marine ecosystem management.
• Conducted research on sustainable coral propagation, resulting in two peer-reviewed publications.

Bachelor of Science in Biology (Marine Focus) · University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · 2001 - 2005

• Graduated Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.8/4.0.
• Awarded Dean's List for all semesters; participated in undergraduate research on coastal conservation.

Director of Operations & Visitor Experience · New England Aquarium

Boston, MA · 2023 - Present

• Oversee daily operations for an institution hosting over 1.3 million annual visitors, improving visitor satisfaction scores by 12% in the first year.
• Manage a departmental budget of $15M, optimizing resource allocation to achieve a 5% reduction in operational costs without compromising experience.
• Led a cross-functional team of 100+ staff, implementing new training programs that boosted team efficiency by 18% and reduced turnover by 10%.
• Spearhead strategic initiatives to enhance visitor flow and engagement, resulting in a 7% increase in gift shop and food service revenue.

Assistant Director · Shedd Aquarium

Chicago, IL · 2020 - 2023

• Contributed to strategic planning for a $60M annual operating budget, directly influencing fiscal decisions that increased net revenue by 8% over two years.
• Managed a portfolio of capital projects totaling $25M, ensuring completion 15% under budget and on schedule.
• Directed a team of 50+ diverse professionals, developing performance metrics that led to a 20% improvement in departmental productivity.
• Collaborated with marketing to launch new exhibits, attracting 200,000 new visitors and increasing membership by 25% annually.

Director of Education & Conservation · National Aquarium

Baltimore, MD · 2016 - 2020

• Developed and implemented 15+ new educational programs, increasing participant enrollment by 30% and generating $500K in new program revenue.
• Secured $2M in grant funding for marine conservation initiatives, expanding outreach to underserved communities by 40%.
• Managed a team of 30 educators and volunteers, enhancing program delivery quality and achieving a 95% positive feedback rate from participants.
• Forged partnerships with 5+ local universities and research institutions, elevating the aquarium's scientific reputation and research output by 20%.

Director of Exhibits & Programming · Museum of Science

Boston, MA · 2011 - 2016

• Led the conceptualization and launch of 7 major new exhibits, contributing to a 15% increase in annual visitor attendance (over 1.5 million visitors).
• Managed an annual departmental budget of $8M, consistently delivering projects on time and within 5% of allocated funds.
• Supervised a diverse team of 45 professionals, including exhibit designers, educators, and technicians, fostering innovation and achieving a 90% project success rate.
• Implemented data-driven visitor engagement strategies, increasing dwell time in key exhibits by an average of 25%.

MBA · Boston University Questrom School of Business

Boston, MA · 2009 - 2011

• Concentration in Non-Profit Management and Organizational Leadership
• Graduated with Honors, Dean's List for academic achievement

M.S. in Marine Biology · University of Washington

Seattle, WA · 2004 - 2006

• Research focus on coral reef ecosystem resilience and conservation strategies
• Achieved a GPA of 3.9/4.0; awarded Graduate Research Fellowship