Curator

Merlin Entertainments; East Rutherford (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Health Care Options

Paid Time Off

Merlin Magic Pass

Recognition Programs and Rewards

401(k) Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Learning and Advancement Opportunities

Job summary

SEA LIFE New Jersey, part of Merlin Entertainments, seeks a Curator to lead the curatorial team, animal collection, and immersive displays while upholding world-class welfare standards. The role reports to the General Manager with a dotted line to the North America conservation leadership and collaborates with site leadership, operations, and global conservation teams to drive the brand forward.

This senior position requires strategic leadership, extensive animal-care experience, and expertise

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or two-year certification in aquarium/zoological science preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years supervisory/management experience in a related setting.
• Strong knowledge of life support systems, water quality, and aquatic animal welfare.
• Experience leading AZA-related standards or accreditation processes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead curatorial team and animal collection to meet welfare standards.
• Oversee displays development and guest engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Education, Conservation, and Operations teams on programs.
• Manage budgets and capital expenditures to deliver EBITA targets.
• Ensure safety and compliance with SEA LIFE Dive Policy and regional safety boards.
• Drive continuous improvement through KPI monitoring and staff development.
• Represent SEA LIFE New Jersey across media and public forums.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Public speaking

Project management

Stakeholder collaboration

Aquatic display development

Education program coordination

Problem solving

Education

B.A./B.S. in Life Sciences or Aquarium/Zoological certificate

Tools

LSS maintenance knowledge

Diving safety & program management

Job description

As Curator at SEA LIFE New Jersey, you will take direct ownership of our curatorial team, animal collection, and immersive displays to deliver world-class animal welfare standards and engaging marine programs. Reporting to the General Manager with a dotted line to the Head of Conservation, Welfare, and Education (North America), you will collaborate closely with site leadership, local operations, and global conservation teams to drive seamless daily operations and advance our long-term brand vision.

Qualifications & Experience

Key Responsibilities

• Leads continued development to achieve consistently high standards of animal care in accordance with all SEA LIFE (Merlin) policies and standards.
• Leads the site with complete understanding of Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) policies and standards and able to lead through an AZA accreditation process in the future.
• Leads Curatorial team to deliver world-class aquatic and terrestrial displays through a focus on team engagement, development and implementation of innovative and pioneering display development plans.
• Consistently improves team engagement, productivity and performance through engagement initiatives, training and structured management.
• Collaborates with Education Specialist to ensure interpretive content and program content is up to standard.
• Drives conservation and education programs, partnerships and collaborations in conjunction with other departments.
• Manages operational and capital expenditure in line with budgets to deliver budgeted EBITA for SLC.
• Ensures effective use and maintenance of the LSS on sites to maintain the highest animal welfare standards and deliver on SEA LIFE Experience Mandatories. Ensure systems are in place to effectively collate, report and rectify deficiencies in LSS systems or their operations.
• Drives continuous improvement by creating and following up on recommendations for key actions by effective monitoring of month-to-month performance (e.g. KPI’s, mortality rates, breeding successes, conservation project etc.), displays appraisal and veterinary visits to each site.
• Works with key stakeholders and develops strategies to maintain and improve existing and new displays, while meeting the SEA LIFE Cornerstones and Experience Mandatories across the region. Inspires teams to innovate and create, maximizing guest engagement with creatures.
• Cultivates guest-obsessed teams who focus on experience as a fundamental requirement of their roles as measured by Mystery Visit, external and internal reviews and key performance indicators.
• Ensures that all diving operations on site are managed and undertaken safely by working in adherence to the Global SEA LIFE Dive Policy and actively leads the involvement of site specialists through the Regional Dive Safety Board.
• Consistently improves team engagement, productivity and performance through engagement initiatives, training and structured management.
• Works creatively with own team and attraction management team to develop and deliver new and engaging displays, products, marketing campaigns and HR initiatives.
• Is autonomous and makes decisions in line with technical and animal expertise, guiding business decisions around animal/display-related actions.
• Has accountability for all animal/display decisions across SEA LIFE New Jersey.
• Support for other functions with no direct oversight for Admissions, Commercial Ops, Maintenance, HR, Finance, Marketing and Public Relations.
• Communication skills and the ability to represent and on all media outlets (TV, Radio, FB, etc) for SEA LIFE New Jersey.

Experience And Qualifications

• B.A/B.S. degree in Life Sciences (Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology, and Psychology) or a two year certification from an accredited aquarium science/zoological program is preferred.
• 8 years of animal experience is preferred
• 5+ years of supervisory/management experience is preferred.
• Proven knowledge of the maintenance and operation of large life support systems including, but not limited to, sand filters, canister filters, UV sterilizers, protein skimmers, and ozone generators.
• SCUBA diving skills: advanced underwater exhibit maintenance skills, with a rescue certification preferred. Aquarium dive program management skills and experience preferred.
• Advanced knowledge and experience working with a wide variety of tropical and temperate marine, freshwater, and terrestrial specimens including, but not limited to, sharks, rays, jellies, corals, seahorses, cephalopods, reptiles and turtles.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in the quarantine, diagnosis and treatment of fish disease.
• Strong water quality testing and record keeping skills
• Proven knowledge and skill in aquarium displays set-up and development is desirable including, but not limited to LSS design and installation, exhibit collection planning, and aquarium theming concepts.
• Proven leadership, communication (verbal and written) and organizational skills.
• Ability and willingness to communicate effectively in public forums to aquarium guests.

Benefits

• Excellent Health Care Options: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Merlin Magic Pass: Free entry for friends and family to our amazing parks & attractions.
• Recognition Programs and Rewards.
• 401(k) Program: Save for the future with company matching contributions.
• Tuition Reimbursement Programs: Get support for further education and career growth.
• Numerous Learning and Advancement Opportunities: Grow your skills and advance your career with us!

Pay Range

Competitive