Career Center

Position Purpose:

The Associate Director of Elephant Health & Wellness will lead and coordinate elephant health services, guide the elephant health care team, and expand program with the development of  a health care program for bulls as they age. The Associate Director in collaboration with the Elephant Husbandry team ,oversees initiatives and full life care and wellness for all elephants living at The Elephant Sanctuary.

This position ensures compliance with regulatory standards, oversees program development, leads and coordinates the veterinary team and partners providing daily health care and wellness support for the elephants.   This position plays a prominent role in developing and sustaining collaborative animal health and wellness and scientific partnerships. This position leads scientific inquiry, processes, and plays a key role in developing solutions and best practices that support the elephants on their life-long journey.   The position provides support in promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace culture at The Sanctuary.

The Associate Director works directly with the CEO (Chief Executive Officer), in consultation from the DVC (Director of Veterinary Care) and in partnership with Senior Managers and department directors/leaders, to achieve the The Sanctuary’s mission and the strategic objectives with relevance to elephant care. 

Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Facilitate, empower and support the organization’s work.
• Communicate departmental priorities, actions and accomplishments.
• Motivate departmental teams to efficiency, effectiveness and success.
• Develop and implement effective Planning as prioritized for the organization with the CEO.
• Evaluate success, adapt actions, and project effectiveness for consistent product & results.
• Uphold and promote The Sanctuary’s standards and principles.
• Provide Accountability measures and analysis of team actions and success
• Promote Awareness and play an advisory role with all departments, teams and the CEO.

Science and Animal Health Team Functions

• Oversee The Sanctuary’s daily and life-long animal health and wellness program for elephants in human care.
• Partner with Directors and Managers to provide quality animal health care, support services, and scientific management for Sanctuary initiatives.
• Provide opportunity and serve as a mentor for education and professional training.
• Provide safe and engaging guest access and connectivity with elephant health and wellness programs in collaboration with Education and Outreach program team.
• Lead efforts in line with The Sanctuary conservation strategies to develop and support international and regional elephant health initiatives.
• Implement effective planning to achieve organization’s strategic objectives for animal health and support wellness program.
• Develop and oversee collaborative partnerships that promote scientific inquiry that improve full life care and well-being for elephants in human care
• Represent The Sanctuary’s animal health and wellness program in the global elephant community.
• Oversee comprehensive risk management practices to ensure compliance and workplace safety
• Lead and coordinate animal welfare evaluations and reporting process.  
• Collaborate with HR, Admin/Safety and Shared Services teams at The Sanctuary to ensure managed facility and logistics operations and support the animal health and science teams.

Direct Reports

Veterinarians, Scientists, Associate Vets, Managers, Technicians, Residents, Specialists, and Interns

• Degree in Veterinary Medicine from accredited institution.
• Advanced degree or background in wildlife ecology/biology, conservation or relevant discipline is highly desirable
• Proven experience in senior role leading veterinary services for elephant health and wellness services in human care environment.
• Demonstrated leadership role or participation with regional or international elephant and/or wildlife health initiatives.
• Recognized peer reviewed publications in wildlife and/or conservation medicine and science.
• Excellent knowledge of the full Microsoft Office suite and specifically Excel database entry, management, and reporting.
• Public presentation skills
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible and adaptable
• Highly collaborative and team-oriented
• Passion for The Elephant Sanctuary’s mission and genuine appreciation for elephants and conservation
• The ideal team player will:
  • be resilient, show initiative, and demonstrate a healthy commitment to going above and beyond.
  • focus on team success and define success collaboratively versus individually.
  • work with colleagues in mind, be a good listener, and be willing to seek information and assistance when necessary.

Special Working Conditions:

Must have valid drivers’ license.

Must be able to attain practicing veterinary license in the State of Tennessee