General Manager

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA); Greater London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading wildlife attraction organization is seeking a General Manager to oversee Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo. The role involves driving commercial success, managing operations, and leading a talented team. Candidates should have at least 5 years of senior management experience and a degree in a relevant field. A competitive salary of £75,000 to £100,000 per annum, plus a performance-related bonus, is offered. This hands-on position requires a deep passion for wildlife and operational excellence.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual Leave: 33 days including bank holidays

Company lease car

Relocation support available

Qualifications

• At least 5 years’ experience in senior or general management roles.
• Proven track record of P&L ownership and delivering commercial growth.
• Exceptional leadership skills to inspire and engage teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive commercial success and operational excellence across both zoos.
• Lead the development and execution of growth initiatives.
• Financial stewardship with control, budgeting, and performance management.

Skills

Commercial experience

Leadership skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Resilience

Education

Degree-level education in Hospitality, Leisure, Tourism or Business

Job description

Paignton Zoo

South West Closing date for applications is: 1st Mar 2026

Contact: Zoe Dixon ([e-mail]) Sector: Management Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: £75,000 - £100,000 per annum dependent on experience plus performance related bonus

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Two Iconic Zoos!

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.

The Role

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.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for a 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.

Key Requirements Include

• 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

Reward

• 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 meetings 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.

Apply For This Job

Ready to take the lead? Apply via our online portal, where you’ll be asked to:

• Upload your CV
• Provide a covering letter outlining your experience and motivation
• Complete a short application form

Click apply and take the first step toward shaping the future of Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo.