Head of Animal Operations

Blackpool Zoo; Newton-le-Willows; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus (15%)

Subsidised on-site flat

Medical insurance

Life insurance

Staff benefits package

Park entry for staff

Professional development

Development opportunities

Job summary

Blackpool Zoo is seeking an experienced Head of Animal Operations to lead the Animal Department, ensuring top standards of welfare, health and safety, and visitor experience.

The role provides strategic and operational leadership, budget management and collaboration with the Zoo Director and Head of Mammals to achieve ambitious departmental objectives while supporting conservation and education goals. It includes acting as Animal 1 on duty and guiding incident response when needed.

Qualifications

• Significant senior management experience within a zoo or similar operational environment.
• Budget preparation and resource management experience.
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation and risk management.
• Knowledge of UK zoo licensing requirements.
• Excellent communication, organisational and report-writing skills.
• Experience leading change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Commitment to animal welfare and visitor experience.
• Firearms experience and certification, or willingness to undertake training for licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Animal Department.
• Ensure highest standards of animal welfare, health and safety, and visitor engagement.
• Lead a large team and manage department performance and finances.
• Collaborate with the Zoo Director, Head of Mammals and stakeholders across the organisation.
• Fulfil the role of Animal 1 on duty and lead during incidents and emergencies.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Budgeting & financial planning

Health & safety compliance

UK zoo licensing knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Emergency response planning

Report writing

Animal welfare focus

Firearms licensing training

Job description

Reporting directly to the Zoo Director, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Animal Department, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, health and safety, operational performance and visitor engagement are maintained across the zoo. This is a senior management position with responsibility for the overall performance of the department, including financial management, workforce planning, compliance, operational delivery and the development of future departmental strategies. Working closely with the Head of Mammals and other key stakeholders throughout the organisation, you will ensure the department remains efficient, progressive and fully aligned with the zoo's conservation, educational and commercial objectives. You will also fulfil the role of Animal 1 when on duty and provide leadership during operational incidents, emergencies and other business-critical situations.

We are now seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to join our senior leadership team as Head of Animal Operations. We are looking for a motivated and forward-thinking leader with substantial experience within a zoological, animal management, visitor attraction or similar environment. You will have a proven track record of leading large teams, manage operational performance and successfully deliver departmental objectives within a complex organisation. You should be confident making decisions in demanding situations, whilst maintaining a practical and supportive leadership style. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant senior management experience within a zoo, animal collection, visitor attraction or similar operational environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience of budget preparation, financial planning and resource management.
• A sound understanding of health and safety legislation, compliance and operational risk management.
• Knowledge of UK zoo licensing requirements and current zoo industry standards.
• Excellent communication, organisational and report-writing skills.
• The ability to build effective relationships across multiple departments.
• Experience managing operational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• A commitment to delivering outstanding standards of animal welfare and visitor experience.
• Firearms experience and certification, or a willingness to undertake the necessary training and obtain the appropriate licence required for the zoo's firearms operations.

Blackpool Zoo is one of the UK's leading medium-sized zoos, welcoming more than 500,000 visitors each year. Home to a diverse collection of species and a strong commitment to conservation, education and animal welfare, the zoo continues to evolve through significant investment in facilities, visitor experiences and animal habitats. Part of the Parques Reunidos group, one of Europe's largest leisure and attraction operators, Blackpool Zoo has undergone substantial development in recent years and has ambitious plans for the future.

Desirable:

• Experience delivering capital projects and major developments.
• Experience in zoo exhibit design and development.
• Experience of managing Cat 1 species.
• Experience leading emergency response and incident management activities.
• Knowledge of collection planning and zoological population management.

In addition to a competitive salary, Blackpool Zoo offers:

• Company performance bonus scheme (15% of basic salary).
• Subsidised on site 2 Bedroom flat
• Medical and life insurance.
• Generous staff benefits package.
• Complimentary and discounted entry to Parques Reunidos parks and attractions.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• The opportunity to play a key role in the future development of one of the UK's most respected zoological collections.