Zoo Jobs: Zoo Collection Manager

Zoo Collection Manager

Chessington World of Adventures

We are Chessington World of Adventures Resort and we are part of the magical Merlin Entertainments, we have an exciting new opportunity to get your teeth into!

Zoo Collections Manager

Guests visit Chessington World of Adventures for Britain’s wildest day out and the animals they encounter all add to the excitement and discovery. From Amur Tigers (In our BIAZA award winning enclosure!) to Asian Short Clawed Otters, Western Lowland Gorillas to California Sea Lions, our zoo and SEA LIFE Centre boast a huge array of wildlife. Every section is designed to help our Adventurers get up even closer and more personal with the cheeky, the mischievous and the exotic all whilst learning about our amazing natural world! In this key role, you’ll be the person planning the entire collection, leading the zoo team to take great care of it and making sure that our zoo is inspiring our guests each and every day. Reporting to the Operations Director and working alongside the Zoo Operations Manager this position will be essential in ensuring the safe & efficient delivery of the Zoo operation, leading a large team of supervisors and keepers, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare & husbandry and of course, creating memorable experiences for all our guests!

We are looking for the following skills and experience;

Strong understanding and experience of collection planning, Zoo legislation and industry best practice
Solid Health & Safety knowledge relevant in a zoo with, ideally, experience with category 1 animals
Passionate people leader with drive and enthusiasm for focus, development and staff engagement
Experience/understanding of managing a department budget, forecasting and readjusting as required
Experience organising/managing ZIMS or a similar animal records programme
Organised and flexible with the business needs
Able to stay focused and in control under pressure, particularly with capture team management
Actively evolve with change and business requirements and keep up to date within your field
Experience managing large hoof stock, carnivores, primates, or a varied collection is essential

This role is full time, permanent, averaging 40 hours per week and will include weekends and bank holidays.

Alongside a competitive annual salary of c.£38,000 plus 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) you can look forward to enjoying a great benefits package including, a Group Personal Pension Plan, Merlin Magic pass to enjoy free entry to other attractions, opportunities for onsite accommodation (to be discussed at interview based on availability), Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance, 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants, 40% discount online off Lego, and much more!

Closing date for applications is: 10th Feb 2020

To submit an application please visit- https://merlin.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/5732?c=merlin