Behavior Change Project Manager

The Behavior Change Project Manager supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of behavior change programs through the systematic application of behavioral science theories and concepts.

The Behavior Change Project Manager has responsibility for the implementation, coordination, and supervision of the zoo’s battery recycling program, including staffing, partner communications, quality assurance, reporting, and ensuring successful and on-time project delivery.

Our Mission : Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.

Our Vision : Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and manages detailed project work plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.
• Ensure timeliness, quality, and satisfaction of project deliverables to clients.
• Trains Zoo staff on new programs alongside local external collaborators.
• Facilitates training, workshops, and focus groups to engage and educate both zoo staff and external stakeholders.
• Oversee all aspects of the project from planning, external vendor relationships, communications,
• resources, budget review, change, risk, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborates with stakeholders, including clients, community partners, and subject matter experts, to ensure alignment and support for behavior change initiatives.
• Establishes and cultivates relevant community relationships.
• Communicates processes, project status, and obstacles to project stakeholders.
• Makes actionable recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Ensures that behavioral science theories and concepts are appropriately applied.
• Develops a data-driven process for identifying target behaviors.
• Reviews and synthesizes articles, technical reports, case studies, and other relevant documents.
• Develops a methodology for identifying barriers and benefits.
• Analyzes qualitative and quantitative data and prepares technical reports.
• Develops research tools including focus group guides, surveys, and observational research tools.
• Develops strategies that apply appropriate behavior change tools and concepts.
• Identifies metrics that adequately assess program success.
• Disseminates program results to internal and external audiences in written and spoken formats.
• Prepares and presents detailed reports on project outcomes and recommendations for improvement.
• Manages the performance and workload of the Project Associate of Community Outreach.
• Contributes to saving animals in the wild through the reduction of waste, water, and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife-protecting actions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in social and behavioral sciences (, social psychology, cultural anthropology, conservation psychology, behavioral economics, or closely related discipline)
• Two (2) years’ or more experience utilizing community-based social marketing.
• Proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation, and excellence.
• Self-motivated, decisive, with the ability to adapt to change and competing demands.
• Demonstrated proficiency in project management, budgeting, planning, execution, delivery, quality assurance, and reporting.
• Strong passion for people, conservation, and wildlife.
• Experienced with remaining current with trends and best practices of conservation, research, and behavioral sciences.

About Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment.

Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests.

We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.

Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities.

Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.