Lead Keeper - Domestic

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); East Midlands; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Join ZSL as a Lead Keeper at Whipsnade Zoo, the UK's largest zoo, where you'll lead a team of zookeepers in providing exceptional animal care and welfare for diverse species. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts in a beautiful setting while enjoying competitive benefits and support in professional development.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme (up to 12% contributory)

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working arrangements

Wellbeing initiatives and Employee Assistance Programme

Life assurance from day one

Complimentary tickets to zoos

Cycle to Work scheme

Season ticket loan

Family friendly policies

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of animal welfare legislation.
• Ability to manage time effectively.
• Experience leading a team in a zoo or similar environment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily operations of the Animal Team.
• Maintain highest standards of animal care.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards.

Skills

Animal Care

Team Leadership

Time Management

Presentation Skills

Health and Safety Knowledge

Education

Understanding of animal health and welfare legislation

Job description

ZSL - Whipsnade Zoo

East Midlands Closing date for applications is: 7th Jul 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Keeper to join the Domestic section at Whipsnade Zoo, the UK’s largest zoo, set in over 600 acres of beautiful countryside and home to more than 11,000 animals.

In this role, you’ll lead a dedicated and passionate team of zookeepers who are committed to continually improving welfare and husbandry for a diverse range of domestic species. The section cares for a variety of rare and traditional breeds recognised by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), including Dartmoor Ponies, Shetland Cattle, Middle White pigs, Bagot goats, Guernsey goats, Boreray sheep, Soay sheep, Manx Loaghtan sheep, and Grey Faced Dartmoor sheep.The team also manages a large herd of Soay sheep, Bagot, and Cashmere goats for conservation grazing across our Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in a world-leading conservation organisation, contributing directly to our global mission: a world where wildlife thrives.

ZSL’s zoos operate 7 days a week, and this role requires an average of 37.5 hours per week, worked on a rota that includes weekends and bank holidays.

Key responsibilities:

• Team Leadership:Supervise the Animal Team daily, including zookeepers, apprentices, seasonal staff, and volunteers, ensuring effective operations and providing mentoring and support.
• Animal Care & Welfare:Maintain the highest standards of animal care, monitor health and welfare, and report or advise on any concerns within the section.
• Operational Oversight:Oversee day-to-day section operations, ensuring agreed procedures, safety standards, and best practices are consistently followed.
• Record Keeping & Systems:Lead on accurate record keeping, including the use and supervision of the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).
• Representation & Collaboration:Engage with industry Working Groups, Committees, and Programmes, actively representing ZSL and contributing to sector-wide collaboration.
• Inclusion & Flexibility:Promote and adhere to ZSL’s equality and diversity policies.

About You:

• A thorough understanding of the legal duty of care under animal health and welfare legislation and the secretary of state’s standard of modern zoos practice.

• Good working knowledge of heath and safety implementation, policies, and procedures.

• Be responsible for own time management to reconcile the demands of the job with those of general Zoo Keeping.

• An ability to deliver presentations and keeper talks confidently and professionally.

• Strong commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values and a commitment to safeguarding.

• This post will require extensive outside working with direct exposure to the weather and animals.

• Staff who are contracted in this role at our Whipsnade Zoo site require a full manual driving license as an essential requirement.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

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 do we offer?

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct
• Pension scheme -we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages

NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.

It’s important to personalise your application 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.

BIAZA's office hours are 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Contact outside of those times will get a response when we are next in the office.

If your enquiry is urgent and you need a response before the BIAZA office reopens, please call Jo Judge on 07593 580602. If you wish to reach one of our members, please contact them directly.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales number 6789783.Registered Office Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY. Registered Charity Number is 1128168 and SC040783 (Scotland)