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- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to enhance visitor experiences across our Wetland Discovery sites.
- Company: Join WWT, a passionate charity dedicated to restoring wetlands and their ecosystems.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, free entry to wetland centres, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while leading a diverse team in a fulfilling role.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior operations roles within visitor attractions and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; be part of a mission-driven organisation with excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
WWT Slimbridge (Centre), England. Closing date for applications is: 15 February 2026.
This is a critical role in the recently restructured Operations Directorate at WWT. As Assistant Director, you will be directly responsible for the performance of our 7 Wetland Discovery sites. You will provide inspiring and professional leadership to your teams, whilst proactively collaborating cross organisation and externally.
Your focus will be on driving meaningful improvements at sites across our three ambitions of Restore, Inspire and Thrive, with emphasis on financial performance driven by visitor experiences. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will directly manage two Heads of Operations, a Head of Retail and Head of Catering. You will indirectly lead more than 400 staff and volunteers across Living Collections, Reserve Management, Visitor Experience, Trading, Marketing, Facilities and Grounds.
You will work closely with Health & Safety and Sustainability leads to ensure good governance and compliance at sites and across the Operations Directorate. You will have a background working in visitor attractions or a very similar sector, coupled with a passion for purpose-led organisations and a keen interest in the environment. You will be an inspiring leader with high levels of emotional intelligence and values & behaviours that align with WWT.
This is a permanent contract, working full time, Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours a week. For this role we can offer the opportunity for hybrid working. It is expected the role will need you to be present at each of your sites on a regular basis, at least once per month.
About You
To join as our Assistant Director of Operations, you will need to evidence:
- Experience in a senior position(s) held in the visitor attraction/events management sectors, directly accountable for site operations and visitor experience throughout the visitor journey.
- Strong skills in leading business planning, financial analysis, budget development and management, and delivery of significant capital projects across £multi-million business unit(s).
- Demonstrable ability to recruit, performance manage and motivate large (>100) diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
- The ability to develop, communicate and implement strategic change, turning organisational vision into improvements at scale.
- An inspirational and empathetic leadership style, able to role model an organisation’s values and behaviours, and to evidence strong emotional intelligence. Able to prioritise effectively, to collaborate, network and influence internally and externally at a senior level.
- A highly creative and inquisitive mindset, able to spot and exploit potential opportunities, keen to explore, test and learn as a means of driving continual improvement and excellence in the visitor experience.
- Experience of working collaboratively with insight, marketing and communications teams to deliver strong brand and marketing campaigns which drive footfall.
About Us
We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case. Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar. Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?
Why you’ll love working at WWT
- Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world.
- Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people.
- 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want.
- Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family.
- Free car parking and secure bike storage areas.
- Colleague discount on shopping and memberships.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones.
- Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme.
WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.
Assistant Director of Operations employer: BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
Contact Detail:
BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director of Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the visitor attraction sector. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks who work at WWT or similar organisations. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for wetlands! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for environmental conservation and how it aligns with WWT's mission. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to purpose-led organisations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching WWT’s recent projects and initiatives. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how your skills can contribute to their goals. Tailor your examples to demonstrate your leadership style and ability to drive improvements across multiple sites.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the WWT team. So, get your application in and let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director of Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for the environment and visitor experiences shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission at WWT.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in visitor attractions or similar sectors. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've led teams and improved visitor journeys.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills that match the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
✨Know Your Wetlands
Familiarise yourself with WWT's mission and the specific challenges facing wetland ecosystems. Be ready to discuss how your experience can contribute to their goals of Restore, Inspire, and Thrive.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your inspirational leadership and emotional intelligence. Think about times when you've successfully motivated large teams or implemented strategic changes that improved visitor experiences.
✨Financial Savvy is Key
Brush up on your financial analysis and budget management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed multi-million pound projects in the past and how you can apply that knowledge to enhance WWT's operations.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Demonstrate your ability to work cross-functionally by sharing examples of successful collaborations with marketing, communications, and insight teams. Highlight how these efforts drove footfall and improved brand visibility.
