Animal Care Manager

Merlin Entertainments; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free access to attractions

Volunteer days

Birthday leave

Wellbeing days

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Merlin Entertainments is seeking an experienced Animal Care Manager for SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. You will lead animal care, display operations, and daily team deployment, ensuring welfare and exhibit quality.

Reporting to the Senior Curator, you will work with veterinary and technical staff to drive high welfare standards and innovative display concepts. You will train and develop a capable team, foster a collaborative culture, and implement planed display and care strategies to maximise guest

Qualifications

• Three years’ experience as a team lead/supervisor/manager in a zoological setting.
• Ability to train, develop and engage a team of functional experts.
• Strong knowledge of life support systems and equipment used in best practice exhibitory and animal care.
• Understanding of animal welfare science, behaviour, transport, legislation and record management.
• Attention to detail with the ability to create engaging, well themed displays.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated animal care and display operations across husbandry routines, hygiene, welfare observation and daily team deployment.
• Maintain strong animal health and welfare awareness and recognise changes in condition or behaviour.
• Coordinate safe operation of approved animal movements, introductions, breeding actions and habitat allocations.
• Foster a collaborative, development-focused team culture across animal care teams.
• Partner with veterinary and technical staff to uphold high welfare standards in care, husbandry and exhibit design.
• Contribute to development and execution of display plans to maximise guest engagement and brand standards.
• Work within Merlin and CWE policies to improve curatorial practices using site data and industry guidance.
• Support supervisors in building team culture, removing barriers, and encouraging innovation.

Skills

People management

Leadership

Team training

Communication skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Tertiary qualifications in animal care/management

Tools

Life support systems

Exhibit lighting

Job description

1d ago , from Merlin Entertainments Group

Do you have the Magic in you to create memorable experiences all for the love of fun? Do you wish to cast a spell of laughter and enjoyment to the people around you? Want to join a team that creates smiles and memories globally on a daily basis? Then you have the magic to be Team Merlin at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium!

About the Role

We are seeking a Full-Time, Animal Care Manager to join the team at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Reporting to the Senior Curator, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Leading integrated animal care and display operations across husbandry routines, hygiene, welfare observation, habitat presentation and daily team deployment
• Maintains strong animal health and welfare awareness, including recognition of changes in condition, behaviour and other potential indicators of concern
• Coordinates the safe operational implementation of approved animal movements, introductions, breeding-management actions and habitat allocations.
• Fostering a collaborative and development focused team culture across the animal care teams.
• Partner closely with veterinary and technical specialist support to champion the highest standards of animal welfare across all aspects of care, husbandry and display design
• Be a part of the development and execution of innovative display development plans that maximise guest engagement, encourage repeat visitation, and deliver the brand standards.
• Work within Merlin and CWE policies and standards and relevant site procedures to implement and continuously improve curatorial practices, drawing on site-based data, operational observations, and current industry and association guidance and developments.
• Supporting supervisors in building and maintaining team culture, removing barriers and providing guidance and fostering innovation

About You

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in animal care/management with a strong background in people and performance management as gained through at least three years’ experience working as a team lead/supervisor/manager in a zoological setting.
• Ability to train, develop and engage a team of functional experts.
• A thorough understanding of life support systems and equipment related to best practice exhibitory and animal care.
• An understanding of contemporary animal welfare science, animal behaviour, transport, legislation, and animal record management.
• An eye for detail with a practical ability to inspire and create “wow” displays with a working knowledge of the correct use of theming and lighting for delivery.
• A detailed understanding of workplace health and safety principles, specifically pertaining to the environment in which we work.
• Current First Aid, CPR & Oxygen Therapy Provider Certificates.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build rapport with internal and external stakeholders, guests, and colleagues.
• Ability to multi-task and have a flexible and adaptable approach along with the ability to meet deadlines and have demonstrated planning, organisational and time management skills.
• Corporate benefits including free access to all our attractions worldwide
• Domestic and global opportunities to develop and progress your skills and career in tourism and attractions
• Additional Leave (including birthday and wellbeing) and 3 volunteer days to give back to a social cause you care about
• Opportunity to be involved with our Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, including our Reconciliation Action Plan
• Being part of a business built onfun

About us

Merlin Entertainments is the company behind iconic brands like SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, and Peppa Pig World of Play. We operate in over 140 attractions across 25 countries, delivering memorable experiences to 54 million+ visitors a year.

We’re the leading operator of visitor attractions in Australia and New Zealand, with 10 attractions, including SEA LIFE, Wildlife and Madame Tussauds, amongst others.

Merlin Entertainments is driven by a strong social responsibility with the vision to create a world where the global community respects, conserves, and sustainably manages our precious aquatic habitats, wildlife, and natural resources. We strive to achieve this goal through our 2 charities: Merlins Magic Wand and the SEA LIFE Trust.

So, if you are vibrant and passionate about delivering an amazing service within a great company and in a team who loves what we do – then we want to hear from you!

Merlin Entertainments strongly encourages application from all background, including people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander decent.