Director of Veterinary Services - Marine

Atlantis; Dubai; On-site; AED 502,200 - 781,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance with dental coverage

Annual flights home

Life insurance

Incentive programs

Professional development opportunities

Discounted rates across Kerzner properties worldwide

Job summary

Atlantis in Dubai is seeking a Director of Veterinary Services to oversee veterinary medicine, laboratory operations, and welfare programs for marine animals. This senior role requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and at least 10 years of experience in aquatic animal health environments.

The ideal candidate will lead a team, ensuring high clinical standards and compliance with UAE regulations while developing protocols and managing budgets.

Benefits include a competitive salary, health insurance, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in zoological, aquarium, marine animal, or aquatic animal health environments.
• Strong exposure to marine mammal medicine and diverse aquatic species care.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing veterinary, laboratory, animal health, or zoological medical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the veterinary medical program for marine mammals, aquatic species, and zoological animal collections.
• Oversee preventative healthcare, diagnostics, treatment planning, and surgical procedures.
• Manage veterinary and laboratory teams by setting priorities, developing talent, and promoting clinical standards.

Skills

Marine mammal medicine

Aquatic animal health

Veterinary leadership

Zoological medicine

Aquarium veterinary care

Preventative healthcare

Animal welfare management

Clinical diagnostics

Veterinary surgery

Ultrasound imaging

Radiography

Endoscopy

Postmortem analysis

Quarantine protocols

Biosecurity management

Disease prevention

Laboratory operations

Water quality analysis

Life support systems

Population management

Animal husbandry

Clinical research

Scientific publication

Regulatory compliance

Budget management

Veterinary program development

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an accredited institution

Valid veterinary license with eligibility for registration in the UAE

Job description

Director of Veterinary Services - Marine

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: 45,000–70,000 AED (consult employer)

Overview

Senior veterinary leadership position overseeing veterinary medicine, laboratory operations, diagnostics, welfare programs, quarantine protocols, research, and regulatory compliance within Atlantis Resorts’ marine animal operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the veterinary medical program for marine mammals, aquatic species, and zoological animal collections.
• Oversee preventative healthcare, diagnostics, treatment planning, surgical procedures, emergency response, and long‑term animal welfare management.
• Manage veterinary and laboratory teams by setting priorities, developing talent, reviewing performance, and promoting high clinical standards.
• Establish and maintain quarantine, biosecurity, disease surveillance, and disease prevention protocols.
• Provide advanced clinical oversight in imaging, ultrasound, radiography, endoscopy, surgery, anesthesia, pathology, and post‑mortem analysis.
• Work with animal care, husbandry, life support, water quality, and operations teams to support best‑in‑class animal health outcomes.
• Review population health data, laboratory findings, treatment outcomes, and welfare indicators to guide operational improvements.
• Ensure compliance with UAE regulations, international zoological standards, aquarium practices, animal welfare requirements, and internal policies.
• Develop veterinary protocols, standard operating procedures, clinical records, risk assessments, and reporting frameworks.
• Support aquatic animal husbandry, population management, nutrition, enrichment, welfare monitoring, and medical decision‑making.
• Lead applied clinical research, conservation‑related initiatives, scientific publications, conference presentations, and professional knowledge sharing.
• Manage budgets, resource planning, equipment needs, laboratory supplies, external specialist support, and veterinary operational costs.
• Act as a professional spokesperson on veterinary, marine animal health, welfare, and scientific matters when required.
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation, ethical practice, and evidence‑based decision‑making across marine animal operations.

Ideal Profile

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an accredited institution.
• Valid veterinary license with eligibility for registration in the UAE.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in zoological, aquarium, marine animal, or aquatic animal health environments.
• Strong exposure to marine mammal medicine and diverse aquatic species care.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing veterinary, laboratory, animal health, or zoological medical teams.
• Advanced clinical capability in diagnostics, surgery, imaging, ultrasound, radiography, endoscopy, anesthesia, and post‑mortem analysis.
• Deep understanding of aquatic animal health, husbandry, welfare, population management, and clinical care for varied species.
• Strong knowledge of water quality analysis, life support systems, and their connection to animal health outcomes.
• Proven experience developing quarantine, biosecurity, disease prevention, and regulatory compliance programs.
• Demonstrated involvement in clinical research, conservation research, publications, or conference presentations.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management, operational planning, and resource control.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex scientific and medical information clearly.
• Strategic mindset with strong collaboration skills across animal care, operations, life support, leadership, and regulatory stakeholders.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and flexibility to work irregular hours or travel when required.

Skills Set

• Marine mammal medicine
• Aquatic animal health
• Veterinary leadership
• Zoological medicine
• Aquarium veterinary care
• Preventative healthcare
• Animal welfare management
• Clinical diagnostics
• Veterinary surgery
• Ultrasound imaging
• Radiography
• Endoscopy
• Postmortem analysis
• Quarantine protocols
• Biosecurity management
• Disease prevention
• Laboratory operations
• Water quality analysis
• Life support systems
• Population management
• Animal husbandry
• Clinical research
• Scientific publication
• Regulatory compliance
• Budget management
• Veterinary program development

Benefits

Competitive tax‑free salary in UAE Dirhams, health insurance with dental coverage, annual flights home, life insurance, incentive programs, wellness initiatives, professional development opportunities, and discounted rates across Kerzner properties worldwide.