General Manager

Paignton Zoo; Folly Gate; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent wildlife attraction in the South West of England seeks a General Manager to spearhead operations at Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo. The role involves leading a Senior Leadership Team, driving commercial success, and ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare. Candidates should have a strong background in leisure or hospitality with proven P&L responsibility and exceptional leadership skills. With a competitive salary and benefits, this position offers an exciting opportunity for those passionate about wildlife and creating unforgettable guest experiences.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance-related bonus

Relocation support

Company car, laptop and mobile phone

33 days annual leave

Qualifications

• At least 5 years' experience in senior or general management roles.
• Proven track record of P&L ownership and budget management.
• Exceptional leadership skills and ability to develop teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial and operational performance of both zoos.
• Drive growth initiatives to increase visitor numbers and revenue.
• Manage education and research activities integrated into operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Financial stewardship

Operational management

Stakeholder management

Animal welfare affinity

Education

Degree in Hospitality, Leisure, Tourism or Business

Job description

Overview

As General Manager, you'll be at the heart of the two zoos with responsibility for driving commercial success and operational excellence across Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo. With end-to-end responsibility for the Marketing, Sales and operational performance of both organisations this is a unique opportunity to lead the business through its next exciting phase of development, driving sustainable growth in visitor numbers and revenue while safeguarding long-term financial resilience and the highest standards of animal welfare. In addition you will provide strategic oversight of education and research activities, ensuring these activities are fully integrated into operations and actively contribute to the organisations' strategic direction and impact. Reporting to the Divisional Director, you will have significant autonomy to shape the annual business plan and budget, take full ownership of delivery against agreed objectives. Leading a talented Senior Leadership Team, you will combine oversight with a visible, hands-on leadership style, remaining closely connected to the day-to-day operation and leading the organisations as if they were your own businesses.

Scope of Responsibility

• Full accountability for Paignton Zoo's and Newquay Zoo's commercial and operational performance
• Leadership of departmental heads across:
  • Food & Beverage
  • Guest Services
  • Animal Care
  • Facilities
  • Visitor Experience
  • Development and execution of growth initiatives that:
    • increase visitor numbers and brand awareness
    • boost on-site revenue
    • continuously enhance every aspect of the guest journey
• Financial stewardship with strong control, budgeting and performance management
• Overall responsibility for leading the development, quality, and integration of education and research activities, ensuring they are closely aligned with organisational objectives and deliver positive, measurable impact for animal welfare, conservation, and continuous improvement
• Acting as a key external ambassador for the zoos, building relationships with local authorities, regional partners and suppliers
• Collaborating closely with support functions, which are coordinated from the Netherlands, including HR, Finance, Legal, IT, Construction & Maintenance, Marketing, Sales and F&B procurement
• This is a hands on leadership role in a seven day a week business, and as part of our duty management rota, you'll occasionally work weekends and bank holidays to ensure smooth operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Senior leader with proven commercial experience in leisure, hospitality, attractions or other visitor focused environments who is motivated by autonomy, scale and the chance for international exposure
• Degree-level education (or equivalent), preferably in Hospitality, Leisure, Tourism or Business
• At least 5 years' experience in senior or general management roles
• Proven track record of P&L ownership, budget management and delivering commercial growth
• Exceptional leadership skills, able to inspire, engage and develop teams
• A commercial, entrepreneurial mindset combined with operational rigour
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities
• Resilience, adaptability and confidence operating in a dynamic, customer-facing environment
• An affinity for animals, nature and outdoor attractions

Join Us in Shaping the Future

Paignton Zoo in Devon and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall are among the South West's most loved and leading wildlife attractions. With rich, fascinating histories, strong foundations in conservation, education and research, and a diverse collection of over 2,800 animals across both sites, these zoos offer an exciting and dynamic environment to lead. Both zoos have recently become part of Libéma, one of the Netherlands' leading leisure organisations, bringing new opportunities for innovation, collaboration and growth. We're now looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking General Manager to guide and shape the future of Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo. If you're passionate about wildlife, people and creating unforgettable experiences, this is your chance to make a real impact.

Benefits & Details

• Competitive salary: £75,000 to £100,000 per annum depending on experience plus performance-related bonus
• Base location: Paignton Zoo, Devon (with regular travel to Newquay Zoo and occasional travel to The Netherlands for relevant meeting and events)
• Hours: 37.5 a week
• Annual Leave: 33 days including the usual bank holidays
• Company lease car, laptop and mobile phone
• Relocation support available
• Interviews will take place in March. Please note there will be several stages as part of the interview process, with the final stage possibly taking place in the Netherlands