Deputy Head of Living Collections

Based at Africa Alive! but working across both zoos.

The Deputy Head of Living Collections will provide support with the consistent overall management of the animal collections and the team that manage them; to ensure the smooth operational function of Banham Zoo and Africa Alive!.

About the Role:

We have an exciting vacancy for a Deputy Head of Living Collections to join our team in a full time permanent role. The role is based at Africa Alive! but has responsibility across both zoos.

Main Duties:

Supporting the development and delivery of the ZSEA living collection plan, across Banham Zoo and Africa Alive, sourcing, and curating stock and developing the husbandry and breeding guidelines for the Charity in compliance with ZSEA Policies and Procedures.
To consistently achieve agreed standards and responsibilities and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement/acquisition of job-related knowledge and skills.
To achieve results through effective self-management and teamwork. Ensuring actions of self and others appropriately reflect the visitor experience and fun nature of our business.
To adhere to and always ensure health and safety compliance and in line with current legislation and as set out in ZSEA Health and Safety policy and various operating procedures and protocols.
To support the Zoo Operations by providing cover and support as directed.
To support in the management of the Team Leaders of the animal collections, conduct their PDRs and ensure they are effectively managing their teams.

About you:

You will have a BSc in a relevant area or equivalent experience.
Have gained prior experience in managing and developing large teams.
Have an in depth knowledge of up-to-date animal husbandry practices in a zoological collection environment.
Have an understanding of Zoological licences.
You will have the ability to prioritise and be very well organised.
You will be a great communicator and be able to challenge ideas respectably.
Can demonstrates a consistent, collaborative, and respectful approach to management and building relationships with other teams.
You will respect confidentiality.
Have strong problem-solving skills and able to help others to resolve them.
Stay calm in difficult situations.
Be able to stay focused on tasks in hand.
Have the ability to listen and have empathy and understanding.
Be already playing an active role in the BIAZA and EAZA communities.

In return we offer: Competitive salary, a contributory pension, staff benefits, 28 days paid holiday including bank holidays (pro-rata).

If you would like an opportunity to join our fantastic team, please download an application form from our website and then send it with a covering email explaining why you would be a suitable candidate for this position to:

HR mailbox: hr@zsea.org

Closing date for applications is 7^th May 2021. Emails sent after this date will not be considered and due to the expected volume of applicants, unfortunately, we will not be able to advise if they were unsuccessful or provide feedback on their applications.

Offers will be subject to references and Right to Work in the UK.

ZSEA is committed to safeguarding. We are an equal opportunities employer.

If it's not posted here you may not reach the right candidate

This vacancy has been posted out to the many thousands who read the popular Zoo Jobs Blog Page and then on to the 129,400 plus followers of the ZooNews Digest Facebook Page. It is then immediately forwarded on to Twitter and then to Pinterest and Linkedin (8,000+ connections). Many vacancies are shared to individuals and groups. In short your vacancy will have the potential of reaching something in the region of some 80,000 plus people within 24 hours. Most of these people are working in a zoo environment, Keepers, Curators, Vets, Zoo Directors, Trainers, Aquarists and more.

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The number of people who will actually read the posted vacancy will actually be considerably less. Usually this will be between two hundred and three thousand. This will depend on the type of post, the time of the year and where it is located…of course not all will apply. I wish you the very best of luck in finding the right candidate for your post.

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