Curator of Animal Operations

• 5498
• Twycross Zoo
• Atherstone, Warwickshire
• Permanent, Full Time
• Salary of £45,000 + attractive benefits

Curator of Animal Operations

The East Midland Zoological Society has been running Twycross Zoo for almost 60 years in the heart of England in Atherstone. We are an award-winning conservation and science-led zoo, and are a registered charity, welcoming over half a million people every year.

We are home to 500 animals, including one of the largest chimpanzee families in the UK, and our primate collection is up there with the best in the world! We’re the only zoo in the UK to house all four great apes and we care for many other endangered species to the highest welfare standards, including Eastern black rhino, Sumatran tigers, Amur leopards and snow leopards.

In 2014, we launched our 20-year £55 million Masterplan. Since this time, new habitats include our giraffe savannah, gibbon forest and a world-class chimpanzee habitat, Chimpanzee Eden. We look forward to building on this continued growth and success.

The Role – Curator of Animal Operations

Reporting to the Director of Conservation and working alongside our existing Curator, as a Curator of Animal Operations you will be responsible for the management and leadership of the animal team and the animal welfare programme with the support of four Animal Team Leaders. Specific duties will include, although not be limited to:

• Leading a programme of frequent and ongoing animal welfare assessment, and ensuring the requirements for animal welfare are met
• Ensuring up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the animal species within the collection and making recommendations for change
• Participating in the strategic planning of the Animal Department
• Taking responsibility for the budget for the Animal Department
• Ensuring effective line management and leadership to the Animal Team Leaders and Keepers
• Contributing to the Animal Collection Plan
• Being part of the core design team for the development of new habitats and redevelopment of existing ones
• Closely liaising with key departments such as Veterinary, Research, Education, Maintenance, and Guest Services
• Undertaking Duty Zoo Manager shifts on a rota basis
• Managing the emergency response team and willing to be trained as a first aider
• Ensuring legislative requirements of the Animal Department are met
• Representing the zoo on appropriate professional and scientific bodies

The Package

• Permanent contract
• Salary of £45,000
• 31 days annual leave
• Uniform
• Employee membership card giving you free entry to the Zoo on your days off
• Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family
• 25% discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop
• 10% discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets
• Free onsite parking
• Star of the month award scheme
• Access to work counselling services

You’ll work an average of 40 hours per week on a rota (which includes weekends and bank holidays), working 5 days out of 7 between the hours of 8am to 5pm during the winter months, and 8am to 6pm for the remainder of the year.

Our Requirements – Curator of Animal Operations

• Substantial experience of zoo animal management and be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of all taxa within the animal collection
• Motivational people manager with excellent communication skills
• Ability to problem solve and manage time effectively
• Good IT literacy with Microsoft Office and ZIMS
• Flexible approach to duties and working hours

More About Us

This is an exciting time to join Twycross Zoo as we have recently been awarded £20m grant funding to develop the National Science and Conservation Centre (NSCC) on the Twycross Zoo site. The NSCC will support vital work around species conservation. It will bring together experts in conservation science and train the next generation of conservationists, whilst offering researchers from around the world the opportunity to study the four great apes and other endangered species, in naturalistic complex environments. The facilities will include a new orangutan habitat, lecture theatre, classrooms, and laboratories, all planned to open in 2024.

How to Apply

All applications for this Curator of Animal Operations vacancy are to be submitted online, and strictly no agency calls or agency CV submissions.

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for the role will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once the successful candidate is found. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.