Chief Operating Officer

The Big Cat Sanctuary; Smarden; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sanctuary discounts

Free uniform

Access to events

Network of zoos and wildlife groups

Job summary

The Big Cat Sanctuary is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to turn the Managing Director's strategy into everyday operational reality. This hands-on leader will work across conservation, hospitality, visitor experiences and site development to drive performance.

Based in Smarden, Kent, the COO will coordinate a large leadership team, manage budgets and timelines, and ensure operational excellence while enabling growth and conservation leadership from the MD.

Qualifications

• Translate strategy into clear operational objectives across departments.
• Lead the Senior Leadership Team with clear priorities, KPIs and deadlines.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration, accountability and performance across the Sanctuary.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational rhythm of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Translate the Managing Director's strategy into objective for each department and team.
• Ensure SLT and department heads have clear priorities, KPIs, deadlines and accountability.
• Challenge underperformance, slippage and missed deadlines.
• Oversee delivery of major projects with budgets, milestones and timelines.
• Monitor departmental performance and key operational KPIs.
• Drive efficiency, standards and resource allocation.

Job description

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer

Location: Smarden, Kent (own transport essential)

Salary: 60,000 per annum

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (8 hours per day between 07:00 and 22:00), Flexible working pattern Monday to Sunday, in line with business needs.

About The Big Cat Sanctuary:

The Big Cat Sanctuary (BCS) is a family charity and IUCN Centre for Species Survival for wild cats, based in Smarden, Kent. It is a unique organisation combining conservation and rescue, specialist animal care, hospitality, accommodation, visitor experiences, events, commercial activity and major site development.

BCS is growing fast, with a capital development roadmap running through 2029 covering new conservation centres and habitats. As the organisation scales, it requires a strong operational leadership layer beneath its Managing Director to keep pace with that growth.

The Role

This is a newly created role, sitting between the Managing Director and the Senior Leadership Team to turn the Managing Director's strategy into operational reality to ensure BCS delivers against its agreed priorities day to day.

This is not a desk-bound executive role. We are seeking a highly visible hands-on COO who leads from the front, spends time where the work happens and is actively involved in supporting teams to deliver results. The successful candidate will bring energy, presence and accountability, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure operational excellence across all areas of the Sanctuary, allowing the MD to focus on strategy, growth and conservation leadership.

What You Will Be Responsible For:

• Lead the operational rhythm of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Translate the Managing Director's strategy into clear organisational and departmental objectives.
• Ensure the Senior Leadership Team and Heads of Department have clear priorities, KPIs, deadlines and accountability.
• Challenge underperformance, slippage and missed deadlines.
• Ensure decisions made by the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team are implemented.
• Resolve cross-departmental issues before they escalade to the Managing Director.
• Maintain an organisation-wide operational plan and track delivery.
• Oversee operational delivery of major projects, ensuring clear ownership, budgets, milestones and timelines.
• Monitor departmental performance, budgets and key operational/commercial KPIs.
• Drive efficiency, standards, productivity and appropriate resource allocation.
• Strengthen management standards, communication and cross-functional working.
• Act as the senior operational authority when the Managing Director is away from site, within agreed strategy, budgets and delegated authority, with agreed sign-off from the CEO and family.

What We Are Looking For:

BCS does not require a conventional zoo Chief Operating Officer. Our unique operating model demands a dynamic and adaptable leader who is comfortable operating across a diverse portfolio of functions, including conservation, animal operations, hospitality, accommodation, visitor experience, commercial activity, events and site development.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced operational leader who thrives in a complex environment, can balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, and is passionate about driving performance, accountability and cross-functional collaboration.

Strong commercial and hospitality experience would be valuable with an understanding that animal welfare and conservation remain fundamental to BCS. The ideal candidate will bring the visibility and hands-on mentality of an exceptional leader, combined with the authority and breadth required to lead performance across the whole organisation.

What We Offer

• Be part of an incredible team working for a meaningful cause
• Spend your working days in one of the most unique and beautiful settings in Kent
• Help shape the future of The Big Cat Sanctuary and make a lasting impact
• Annual salary of 60,000 per annum
• Permanent, full-time contract,
• 28 days paid annual leave, plus Christmas Day off as standard.
• Employee benefits including sanctuary discounts, free uniform and access to special events, access to a network of UK and European zoos and wildlife collections.
• Genuinely special working environment, supporting a charity with a real conservation mission.

Additional Information:

The closing date for applicants is 19 October 2026.

The selection process comprises an initial Microsoft Teams interview with the Head of Human Resources and HR Manager.

Final-stage candidates will then participate in an extensive site visit followed by a formal panel interview involving representatives from the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Human Resources, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Managing Director (MD), and Board of Trustees.

The Big Cat Sanctuary is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

Candidates with experience of; Chief Executive, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, COO, CFO, Operational Director, Senior Leadership Team Manager, Director, Strategic Development Manager, Company Director may all be considered.