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- Tasks: Lead and manage the UK's only crocodile zoo, ensuring top-notch animal care and conservation.
- Company: Crocodiles of the World, a unique and growing specialist zoo.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 30 days leave, professional development, and staff discounts.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal role in conservation and education at a one-of-a-kind zoo.
- Qualifications: Senior management experience in zoology and strong reptile knowledge required.
- Other info: Hands-on leadership role with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 50000 £ per year.
A senior leadership role combining strategic curatorial oversight with operational management of the UK’s only crocodile zoo. This is a newly created position, reflecting continued growth and future ambition. Join a unique and growing specialist collection at a pivotal stage of development.
Location: Brize Norton, Oxfordshire
Salary: £42,000 – £50,000 (DOE, inclusive of allowances)
Reporting to: Zoo Director
About Us: At Crocodiles of the World, we are proud to be the UK’s only dedicated crocodile zoo, delivering exceptional standards in animal welfare, conservation, and education. Our organisation plays a critical role in global conservation breeding programmes, public engagement, and scientific research.
The Opportunity: We are seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking Curator & Zoo Manager to join our senior leadership team. This role offers both strategic oversight and operational leadership across all aspects of the animal and plant collections, ensuring the highest standards of welfare, compliance, and professional excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collection & Animal Management: Provide strategic oversight of all animal and plant collections, lead long-term species planning, including acquisitions, dispositions, and conservation breeding programmes, ensure all husbandry and welfare practices meet or exceed industry best practice.
- Departmental Leadership: Line manage the Conservation, Education & Research Manager, Compliance Manager, and senior keeping staff, lead recruitment, training, and professional development across animal teams, foster a high-performing, collaborative culture aligned with organisational values.
- Compliance & Accreditation: Ensure full compliance with licensing requirements and recognised industry bodies, including BIAZA and EAZA, lead preparation for inspections, audits, and accreditation processes, oversee accurate and robust record-keeping and documentation.
- Operational Leadership: Participate in the Duty Manager rota, providing visible and effective on-site leadership, lead emergency planning, incident response, and risk management protocols, represent the organisation at industry forums, conferences, and professional networks.
- Financial & Resource Management: Manage departmental budgets, resources, and operational efficiency, contribute to fundraising initiatives, partnerships, and grant applications.
About You: We are seeking a credible and experienced zoological leader with strong reptile knowledge, combined with the ability to lead, support, and develop high-performing specialist teams.
Essential Experience:
- Significant senior management experience within a zoo or wildlife collection.
- Demonstrable experience working with reptiles, with a strong understanding of husbandry, welfare, and behavioural management principles.
- Experience overseeing collections or working alongside specialist teams and subject-matter experts.
- Strong knowledge of animal welfare standards and collection planning.
- Demonstrable experience with licensing, compliance, and regulatory inspections.
Essential Skills:
- Proven leadership capability with experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to lead, support, and develop specialist staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
- Strong strategic thinking, planning, and organisational skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
- Sound understanding of BIAZA and EAZA standards.
Desirable:
- Experience representing an organisation within the zoological or conservation sector.
- Background in conservation, education, or research strategy development.
- Knowledge of conservation funding, partnerships, or project management.
- Experience in public engagement or educational programme delivery.
- Experience working with, or overseeing, reptile-focused or specialist zoological collections.
Eligibility: All applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Additional Information: Participation in a Duty Manager rota is required, including some weekends and bank holidays. This is a hands-on leadership role, combining strategic direction with operational involvement.
Why Join Us: This is a rare and exciting opportunity to take on a senior leadership role within a unique and growing organisation. As the UK’s only crocodile zoo, we offer an unparalleled working environment and the chance to make a meaningful impact on conservation, education, and animal care at both a national and international level.
Salary And Benefits: Salary of £42,000 – £50,000 per year (DOE), 30 days annual leave including bank holidays, opportunities for professional development, staff discounts and benefits (where applicable), the opportunity to work in a unique and inspiring environment.
How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a short covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to: jobs@crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk. Closing date: Friday 30th April 2026. Interviews will be held in person at Crocodiles of the World.
Curator & Zoo Manager employer: British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Contact Detail:
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Curator & Zoo Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the zoological community, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for reptiles and conservation shine through. Share your experiences and ideas on how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you're the perfect fit for the Curator & Zoo Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our unique team at Crocodiles of the World.
We think you need these skills to ace Curator & Zoo Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Curator & Zoo Manager role. Highlight your experience with reptiles and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Crocodiles of the World!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working with crocodiles and how you can contribute to our growth. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior role, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've managed teams and fostered collaboration in previous positions. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead our dedicated staff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications better and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
✨Know Your Reptiles
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of reptiles, especially crocodilians. Familiarise yourself with their husbandry, welfare standards, and any recent developments in the field. This will not only show your passion but also your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, particularly in managing multidisciplinary teams. Think about times when you've fostered collaboration or driven innovation in previous roles, as this is crucial for a senior position like Curator & Zoo Manager.
✨Understand Compliance Standards
Get to grips with BIAZA and EAZA standards, as well as any relevant licensing requirements. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past roles and how you would approach it in this new position.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Research Crocodiles of the World and understand their mission and future ambitions. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to their growth and development as a unique organisation.