Chief Operating Officer

Aquarium of Niagara is the only accredited provider of immersive marine life and aquatic ecosystem education in Western New York — a 60-yearold institution steps from one of the world’s great natural wonders, welcoming more than 200,000 guests annually. With Great Lakes 360 recently opened, a bold Master Plan charting a $100M expansion, and a capital campaign on the horizon, the Aquarium is seeking a

Chief Operating Officer to serve as trusted number two to the President & CEO — stabilizing operations, driving revenue, building systems for scale, and helping architect a transformational next chapter.

why this role is compelling

The chance to help build an institution — not just manage one. The COO will play an instrumental part in realizing the first two phases of the Master Plan, with meaningful input into capital campaign strategy and construction execution.

Real partnership with the CEO. With a visionary President & CEO increasingly focused on external relationships and capital fundraising, the COO becomes the operational anchor of the organization.

Ownership of revenue strategy — transforming a guest services team into a sales-oriented, per-cap-focused operation with significant room to grow.

Mission that matters. The Aquarium is the anchor cultural institution of Niagara Falls — one of the most iconic natural landscapes in the world — and a genuine force for conservation, education, and community access.

An affordable, welcoming region with outstanding quality of life in the Buffalo– Niagara corridor, and real competitive advantage for any professional relocating from a higher-cost market. are you…?

a builder Energized by an organization in motion. You want to shape what’s next, not just manage what exists. a people leader Hands-on and trusted. You mentor, develop, and know when to put your boots on and get in the basement.

a revenue driver You think in per-caps and upsell strategy. You’ve turned service teams into sales teams. a true number two You can run the building when the CEO is out — and be the steady hand that makes the vision real.

a mission believer You genuinely connect with why a nonprofit aquarium matters — and that belief shows in how you lead. a candid communicator You say what you see. You push back when warranted and say no when it needs to be said.

candidate strengths, skills & qualities

The next Chief Operating Officer will be a confident, commercially savvy executive who is equally at home in the boardroom and the basement. Aquarium of Niagara seeks candidates who demonstrate:

   Genuine revenue-generation instincts — with a track record of growing percapita spending, optimizing admissions strategy, and building upsell culture within a guest experience team

 Operational excellence in guest-facing, high-volume environments — including facilities management, vendor and contractor oversight, and seasonal staffing operations

   Project management depth — the ability to manage complex, multi-year capital projects, oversee contractor selection, and hold teams accountable to timelines and budgets

   Financial acumen — comfort with P&L, budget development, forecasting, and the discipline to reduce operating deficits during off-season without sacrificing mission or team

 A hands-on, boots-on-the-ground leadership style — willing to dig into operational problems firsthand, troubleshoot a flooded basement, work the floor during peak season, and be the calm, capable presence the team leans on  Technology fluency — POS systems, facility management tools, and the ability to lead a needed transition away from legacy systems toward an integrated operational infrastructure

   Candid, direct communicator — the confidence to say no, push back on unrealistic expectations, and build a team culture of accountability and honest feedback

   Mission and culture alignment — a genuine appreciation for the nonprofit aquarium model and the passion-driven team that makes it work

   Vision alignment with the CEO — an ability to run as fast as the organization is running, serve as a true strategic partner, and hold the operational fort as the CEO turns outward toward the capital campaign

roles & responsibilities

Revenue & Guest Experience

Drive earned revenue across admissions, retail, membership, day-to-day sales, amenity upsells (VR pods, behind-the-scenes encounters), and other guest-facing revenue channels

Lead the transformation of the Guest Experience team from service-oriented to salesoriented — building a culture of revenue awareness alongside exceptional hospitality  Analyze per-capita spending, attendance trends, and seasonal patterns to hit financial targets and identify strategies for reducing the off-season operating deficit  Oversee evaluation and replacement of the current POS system, integrating guest experience technology into a cohesive operational infrastructure

Partner with leadership on operating hour models, promotional programming, and closures that improve year-round financial performance

Facilities & Capital Projects

Oversee the Facilities team, supporting the development of the Supervisor toward a Director-level position

Manage prioritization of facility maintenance and capital projects for an aging 60year-old building — making strategic calls on what gets done now versus deferred  Serve as the senior operational lead for Phases 1 and 2 of the Master Plan: contractor selection, construction timelines, quality control, and continuity of operations  Manage vendor and contractor relationships, oversee bid processes, and ensure projects are delivered on scope, schedule, and budget

Technology & Information Systems

Oversee outsourced IT services and ensure technology infrastructure reliably supports aquarium operations

Champion data-driven operations — building reporting visibility into attendance, revenue, labor, and facilities performance

Finance

Oversee the Controller and work in partnership with the fractional CFO to manage budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting

Help develop the Controller toward a Director of Finance capacity, reducing reliance on fractional financial services over time

Contribute to annual operating plan and budget development; provide operational data and financial guidance to the CEO and Board of Trustees

Team Leadership & Culture

Lead and develop a passionate, mission-driven team across Guest Experience,

Facilities, and IT — with an eye toward developing current supervisors into directors  Model and reinforce open, direct communication and help establish meeting cadences and information-sharing practices that serve a rapidly evolving leadership team

Maintain AZA, Alliance, and IMATA accreditation standards and ensure compliance with all safety, risk management, and security protocols

Represent the Aquarium to regulatory agencies, community partners, Board committees, and external stakeholders as needed

Strategic Leadership

Serve as the operational anchor as the CEO increasingly turns outward toward capital campaign relationships and community partnerships

Contribute to organization-wide strategic planning, long-range capital planning, and business growth initiatives

Attend and contribute to Board of Trustees and committee meetings as appropriate

about Aquarium of Niagara

Founded in 1965 by a group of chemists and scientists in downtown Niagara Falls, the Aquarium of Niagara originally served as a test site for a revolutionary artificial seawater formula — Instant Ocean — now used by inland aquariums worldwide. After operating as a for-profit institution for more than a decade, the Aquarium transitioned to nonprofit ownership and has operated as a 501(c)(3) ever since, with all earned revenue reinvested directly into the animal collection and mission.

Today the Aquarium is home to more than 180 species — including rescued and nonreleasable harbor seals, California sea lions, and Humboldt penguins — and holds triple accreditation from AZA, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums, and IMATA. In July 2024, the Aquarium opened Great Lakes 360, a second building featuring 16 exhibits dedicated to Great Lakes ecosystems, significantly expanding both the campus footprint and the visitor experience. Since 2018, the Aquarium has invested more than $10 million in capital improvements.

Despite being among the smaller accredited aquariums in the United States, it sits in an area that draws 9 million visitors annually from the New York side alone — and its President & CEO has a clear and compelling vision: grow into the destination aquarium this location has always deserved.

to apply
Aquarium of Niagara has partnered with Canopy Strategic Partners to manage this search. To be considered, please submit a letter of interest and resume in a single PDF to:

Lauren David · Canopy Strategic Partners · ldavid@canopysp.com
Subject line: “Aquarium of Niagara COO”

All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence. We welcome candidates from zoos, aquariums, science centers, cultural institutions, and the broader hospitality and attractions industry

vision & growth trajectory

The Aquarium’s comprehensive Master Plan — developed collaboratively with TESSERE and involving staff, board, and community stakeholders — charts a bold, phased expansion that will transform the campus from a beloved local institution into a regional landmark and nationally recognized destination aquarium. The COO hired today will be a direct architect of the first two phases.

A capital campaign to fund this expansion is anticipated to launch within 18 months of the COO hire. The Aquarium currently serves more than 200,000 guests annually; the Master Plan envisions growing that to 500,000+ within the next decade, with a long-term destination goal of 1 million or more annual visitors.

Living in the Buffalo–Niagara Region

Western New York consistently surprises people who have never lived here and consistently wins over those who choose to stay. The region offers an exceptional quality of life at a cost well below the national average, with a cultural richness, culinary depth, and outdoor scene that rivals cities twice its size. For a professional relocating from a higher-cost market, the lifestyle difference is immediate and significant.

A Note on Location

Aquarium of Niagara is located in Niagara Falls, NY — approximately 20 miles north of Buffalo. While often grouped together, these are distinct communities with different characteristics. Niagara Falls sits along the Niagara River corridor, adjacent to Niagara Falls State Park, offering direct access to one of the country’s most iconic natural landscapes.