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- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to enhance visitor experiences across our Wetland Discovery sites.
- Company: Join WWT, a purpose-led organisation dedicated to restoring wetlands.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, flexible working, and discounts on shopping and memberships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while leading passionate teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior roles within visitor attractions and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; be part of a mission-driven team making a difference.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ 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
- 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 in London 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 in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current WWT employees on LinkedIn. You never know who might give you the inside scoop or even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching WWT's values and recent projects. Show us how your experience aligns with our mission to restore wetlands. Tailor your answers to reflect our ambitions of Restore, Inspire, and Thrive.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about times you've inspired teams or driven change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them memorable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in our minds as we make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director of Operations in London
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, so don’t hold back on sharing what inspires you!
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 experiences, so be detailed and direct!
Be Authentic: We value emotional intelligence and authentic leadership. In your application, share stories that showcase your leadership style and how you’ve motivated diverse teams. Let us see the real you!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at WWT. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in WWT's mission and values. Understand their focus on restoring wetlands and how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can drive improvements across their Wetland Discovery sites.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and emotional intelligence. Think about times when you've successfully managed large teams or implemented strategic changes. This role is all about inspiring others, so let your passion shine through!
✨Financial Savvy is Key
Brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss your experience with budget development and capital projects. WWT is looking for someone who can drive financial performance, so demonstrate how you’ve done this in previous roles.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Think of ways you’ve worked with different teams, especially in marketing and communications. WWT values collaboration, so be ready to share how you’ve influenced and networked with others to enhance visitor experiences and drive footfall.
