Zoo Jobs: Animal Collection Manager

Animal Collection Manager

Location: RZSS Highland Wildlife Park

Salary: Competitive

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the charity that owns both RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, are looking for a committed and passionate professional to join our exceptional staff team.

RZSS aims to connect people with nature and safeguard threatened species, a mission that sees us working both here in Scotland and in various countries around the world. From inspiring the next generation about wildlife in our parks to protecting chimpanzees in the Ugandan rainforest; looking after some of the world’s most endangered species to saving the Scottish wildcat, RZSS is making a huge difference and we need your help to continue to grow.

We are immensely proud our recent successes, which has brought about amazing things for our Highland Wildlife Park, including our famous polar bear cub, Hamish, as well as our beautiful Amur leopard cubs. We are now looking for an Animal Collection Manager who can build upon this impressive track record that has been established. You will lead a team of experienced and committed keeping staff, with huge potential to progress the park throughout our exciting developments and crucial conservation efforts.

The role

As Animal Collection Manager you will manage all aspects of the daily operation of the Highland Wildlife Park’s Living Collection Department animal sections. The post holder will define, develop and recommend appropriate projects, plans and policies, contributing to the formulation of HWP Living Collection Department strategies in support of RZSS’ Mission and Aims.

The following responsibilities/activities form part of this position:

• Line management responsibility for direct reports and overall management responsibility for permanent, fixed term and where applicable seasonal staff.

• Manage the operation of the Living Collection Dept (HWP) Animal Sections, collaborating with other departments to ensure delivery to the required standards and within budget.

• Manage and oversee the delivery of population management expertise within the Living Collections Department for our regional associations.

• Act as project lead for the department, using knowledge and experience gained - providing detailed specifications, communications, specifics for Project Identification Document (PIDS), contributing to large and complex animal related projects (£100k to £1m) to quality, time and budget targets ensuring clear, timely and concise communication as the project progresses.

• Act as duty manager, with duty responsibility.

This is an exciting post offering the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a dedicated team.

Who we are looking for

We’re looking for someone with the passion, commitment and resilience, who will represent RZSS and foster partnerships whilst establishing and maintaining relationships within the national and international zoo representative forums. Significant exotic animal husbandry experience in a zoo and a track record of success in an animal/visitor attraction is essential with the ability to demonstrate a significant track record in running studbooks being desirable. The successful candidate will have experience of managing a team of managers and will be capabile of motivating and influencing others. First class organisation skills are required along with a proven robust ability to deliver projects on time, to budget and to agreed standards of quality. You should also have a working knowledge of Microsoft office suite, ZIMS and other zoo related management systems.

Excellent communication skills are a must and your behaviours and personal attributes should be such that you are a role model for staff and someone who lives and breathes the ethos and values of RZSS.

Closing date: Wednesday 3rd April 2019

For information on how to apply visit the RZSS vacancy page and follow the application instructions. Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a completed application form. Take a look around the RZSS website for further information.

Interested

To apply, please complete a RZSS application form and recruitment monitoring form and email it to recruitment@rzss.org.uk . Postal applications may also be sent to: The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, HR Team, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS.

Our mission is Connecting people with nature. Safeguarding species from extinction.

The RZSS strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity SC004064