Christmas Grotto Elf

Zoological Society of London (ZSL); Harrow; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 12% contributory pension

Flexible working options

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Life assurance from day one

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

ZSL London Zoo is seeking a Christmas Elf to bring magic to the Magic of Christmas event. You’ll be based in Santa’s Grotto and may also assist at the Main Entrance, helping families begin their festive visit.

The eight-week fixed-term contract starts with 12–18 hours per week, rising to about 30 hours in the final two weeks when the grotto operates daily, with shifts including weekends and bank holidays.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering outstanding customer service.
• Experience working with children in formal or informal settings.
• Comfort engaging with the public in busy environments.
• Willing to work outdoors in all weather during the festive season.
• Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment, with judgement to seek support when needed.
• Experience or background in theatre, acting or performance is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist children with the craft activity in the grotto, ensuring each child enjoys their magical time with Santa.
• Ensure the grotto runs smoothly and on time, reporting issues promptly.
• Support the Events team with daily set-up, smooth running, and close-down of the grotto.
• Engage warmly with visitors throughout their experience, spreading festive cheer.

Skills

Customer service

Experience with children

Face-to-face communication

Outdoor work

Theatre/performing background

Job description

As a Christmas Elf at ZSL London Zoo, you’ll help bring the magic and sparkle to our Magic of Christmas event, creating unforgettable memories for every visitor. With boundless enthusiasm and festive cheer, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring guests of all ages enjoy a truly special experience.

You will be working in Santa’s Grotto, where you’ll deliver a magical paid-for experience, helping families make lasting memories with Father Christmas. You may also be based at our Main Entrance, giving visitors a warm, festive welcome as they begin their journey through the zoo.

This role is all about spreading joy, laughter, and festive spirit. From engaging with excited children and their families to creating a fun and immersive atmosphere across the zoo, you’ll be at the heart of the Christmas magic. Of course, a love of Christmas and Santa is absolutely essential!

This role is offered on an 8-week fixed-term contract. Working hours will average 12-18 hours per week initially, increasing to approximately 30 hours per week during the final two weeks, when the Grotto operates daily. As our zoos are open seven days a week, your schedule will follow a rota, which includes weekends and bank holidays. We aim to balance business needs with personal flexibility, so you’ll have advance notice of your shifts to help plan your time.

Key responsibilities:

• Craft Activity Support: Assist children with the craft activity in the grotto, ensuring each child enjoys their magical time with Santa.
• Operational Efficiency: Ensure the grotto runs smoothly and on time, reporting any issues or concerns promptly.
• Event Set-Up and Close-Down: Support the Events team with the daily set-up, smooth running, and close-down of the grotto.
• Visitor Engagement: Engage warmly with visitors throughout their experience, spreading festive cheer and ensuring every guest leaves feeling the magic of Christmas.

About You:

• A proven track record of delivering outstanding customer service, ensuring every visitor has a memorable experience.
• Experience of working with children or young people in either formal or informal settings, with the ability to create a fun and supportive atmosphere.
• Confident and comfortable engaging with the public in a busy, face-to-face environment.
• Enjoys working outdoors and is happy to do so in all weather conditions throughout the festive season.
• Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, with the judgement to know when to seek support from management.
• Experience or a background in theatre, acting or performance, with a passion for bringing stories and characters to life.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.

About Us:

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

What We Offer?

Alongside the opportunity to do purpose-driven work that helps create a world where wildlife thrives, you'll enjoy a range of benefits, including:

• Up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working options
• 25 days' annual leave plus UK bank holidays, increasing with service
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Life assurance from day one (for eligible employees)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Access to our staff Equality Networks
• Complimentary London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo tickets, plus retail discounts
• Cycle2Work scheme and interest-free season ticket loans (for eligible London-based employees)

You can find the full details of our benefits in the attached Benefits Guide.

We anonymise applications until interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It’s important to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application.

If you have any questions about this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at - [e-mail]