Zoo Experience and Education Team Leader

Chessington World of Adventures Resort; Ewell; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merlin Annual Passes

Merlin Magic Pass

Company bonus

Private pension scheme

LEGO discount

Shop & restaurant discounts

Training & development

Many more…

Job summary

Chessington World of Adventures Resort is seeking a Zoo Experience & Education Team Leader to guide a team of Zoo Hosts and deliver engaging educational experiences for guests. You will work closely with the Zoo Education & Experience Supervisor to manage day-to-day activities and ensure high standards of guest service.

The role emphasizes wildlife education, health and safety, and creating memorable visitor experiences through engaging talks and activities.

Qualifications

• Passion for wildlife, conservation and public education.
• Experience leading teams in guest-facing environments.
• Excellent communication and ability to present to groups.
• Strong people leadership and feedback skills.
• Organised, proactive and safety-minded.
• Experience creating educational content is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Zoo Hosts for engaging experiences.
• Support day-to-day operation of guest-facing activities.
• Coordinate resources and drive department-wide excellence.
• Deliver exceptional guest experiences and education messaging.

Skills

Wildlife education

Leadership experience

Guest engagement

Communication skills

Public speaking

Team coaching

Organisational skills

Health and safety

Job description

What you'll bring to the team

Zoo Experience and Education Team Leader

Location: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE

Contract Type:Permanent, hourly paid

We are recruiting for a Zoo Experience & Education Team Leader to join our team at Chessington World of Adventures Resort. This exciting opportunity is ideal for a passionate and energetic leader who is committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences, inspiring others through wildlife education, and supporting conservation messaging across the Resort.

As a Zoo Experience & Education Team Leader, you will lead and develop a team of Zoo Hosts, ensuring the delivery of engaging educational experiences and outstanding guest service standards. Working closely with the Zoo Education & Experience Supervisor, you will support the day-to-day operation of guest-facing zoo activities, coordinate resources, develop team capability, and help drive operational excellence across the department.

This is a fantastic opportunity to combine your leadership skills with a passion for wildlife, education, and guest engagement while helping create unforgettable experiences for our visitors.

Qualifications & Experience

We're looking for someone who brings:

• A genuine passion for wildlife, conservation, and public education
• Previous leadership, supervisory, or team coaching experience within a guest-facing environment
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence delivering talks to groups and large audiences
• Strong people leadership skills, including motivating, developing, and supporting teams
• The ability to provide both positive recognition and constructive performance feedback
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Proactive and solutions-focused approach to operational challenges
• Strong commitment to health and safety, guest experience, and professional standards
• Experience developing educational content, talks, activities or visitor experiences would be advantageous

Benefits

• 'Enjoy the Ride' Merlin Annual Passes - 6 in total per year, 1 for you, plus 5 to gift to loved ones!
• Merlin Magic Pass - 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world rising to 40 after a year's service
• Company bonus
• Private pension scheme
• 40% discount online off LEGO
• 25% discount in our on-site retail shops and restaurants
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Plus, many more…

Pay Range

GBP £12.80/Hr.