About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity

The Director of Sales is a key leader responsible for driving earned revenue through the strategic oversight of all sales channels and the development of new revenue-generating opportunities. This role provides visionary leadership for existing programs, spearheads innovative growth strategies, and fosters a collaborative, mission-aligned sales culture. The Director will work cross-functionally to ensure that revenue initiatives elevate the institution’s brand, advance its mission, and provide outstanding value to visitors and partners.

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Revenue Growth:

Lead and manage a team of at least five managers overseeing multiple sales channels, including but not limited to tourism, event rentals, sleepovers, tours, birthday parties, and other programs.
Set clear revenue targets, implement sales strategies, and ensure team accountability for results.
Evaluate program ROI by defining customer acquisition costs and profit margin

P&L Management:

Own full P&L responsibility for all sales business lines, including developing, forecasting, and tracking expense and revenue budgets, and achieving all revenue goals.
Continuously monitor financial performance and adjust strategies to meet or exceed revenue goals.

New Revenue Development:

Develop and implement business plans and pricing models for new revenue streams in collaboration with Innovation, Education, Research, and other internal stakeholders.
Evaluate new products and programs, and partnerships for feasibility, mission alignment, profitability, and guest experience.
Create launch roadmaps with internal teams and collaborate with Marketing on lead generation and campaign strategies.

Market Insight & Analytics:

Use industry research, market trends, and data analysis to guide decision-making around product offerings, pricing, and future opportunities.
Conduct regular benchmarking against competitive sets to inform strategic positioning.

Team Leadership & Development:

Inspire, coach, and mentor a high-performing sales team, promoting professional growth, accountability, and a results-driven culture.
Foster collaboration across teams and departments to ensure organizational alignment on revenue goals.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Partner with Marketing to execute integrated campaigns that drive lead generation, sales conversions, and brand alignment.
Work closely with Operations, Guest Experience, and Education to ensure flawless delivery of programs that elevate visitor satisfaction.
Represent the institution in the tourism, cultural, and partner communities to strengthen relationships and enhance institutional visibility.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Proven success in sales leadership with a track record of exceeding revenue goals.
Strong P&L management skills with demonstrated financial acumen.
Experience developing new revenue streams, pricing models, and go-to-market strategies.
Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
Exceptional communication, collaboration, and relationship-building abilities.
Deep understanding of market research, data analysis, and strategic planning.
Experience in cultural, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations preferred.

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $160,000.00- $175,000.00. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications and aligned with the internal peer group. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours per week

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).