Animal Care Manager in London

Dublin Zoo – Dublin, Ireland. Closing date for applications: 19th Feb 2026. Contact: Mark O'Connor (mark.oconnor@dublinzoo.ie). Sector: Animal Care. Type: Paid Contract. Full‐time. Salary: €65,000 – €70,000.

Dublin Zoo holds the prestigious position of Ireland's leading fee‐paying family attraction, welcoming in excess of 1.2 million visitors each year. Our purpose is to save wildlife and inspire a passion for nature – one person, one family at a time.

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated and diligent Animal Care Manager to lead the Animal Care team at Dublin Zoo. The Animal Care Manager will assist the Head of Life Sciences in the overall day‐to‐day management of the Animals and Plants Department.

The Animal Care Manager will manage the animal care staff, roster, support and assist the animal care staff within their assigned section, ensuring international best practice in animal welfare, general compliance with Health and Safety regulations and consistent performance to overall Zoo management standards with good staff management practices.

The Animal Care Manager will be required to also be a hands‐on member of the team and will lead strategic projects and activities for the department and will cover as the Duty Manager on roster while also deputising for the Head of Life Sciences in their absence.

• Support the coordination and direction of the activities of the Animals and Horticulture departments to ensure a high degree of staff motivation and enthusiasm.
• Using a professional development framework, actively manage and encourage the animal and horticulture team to reach their maximum potential and to achieve a high‐quality team performance through regular performance reviews, objective setting and ongoing feedback.
• Manage employee relations matters within the department including performance management, absence management and conflict resolution, working in partnership with the HR Department to ensure fair and consistent application of policies and procedures.
• Foster an inclusive team environment that embeds Dublin Zoo's CARE values, promoting staff wellbeing and identifying talent for future development and succession planning.
• Provide support to the Head of Life Sciences and work collaboratively to influence colleagues across the organisation, and externally, to achieve the objectives outlined in the 'Dublin Zoo 200' 10‐year strategic plan, including maintaining and developing partnerships with external bodies such as BIAZA, EAZA, third‐level education institutions, etc.
• Lead change management initiatives and strategic projects within the department, ensuring effective staff engagement and clear communication throughout transitions.
• Ensure efficient and effective management of the human resources of the Animals and Plants Department, including training and development and health and safety, as well as providing support to the HR Department with any internal procedures such as recruitment, investigations, etc.
• Ensure efficient and effective maintenance of standards in animal husbandry, health and welfare, habitat maintenance, environmental enrichment and cleanliness across the Zoo.
• Ensure efficient and effective maintenance of standards and management of the plant collection and the horticultural attractiveness of the Zoo.
• Ensure departmental compliance with organisational policies, employment legislation, health and safety regulations, animal welfare standards and data protection requirements.
• Liaise with the Registrar function as required to ensure the development and maintenance of accurate records, and effective communication about the animal department with various stakeholders.
• Deputise for the Head of Life Sciences as required ensuring a presence at Management Team meetings and the delivery of departmental reporting in their absence.
• Prepare regular management reports on departmental performance including key metrics, welfare assessments and project progress for senior management.
• Liaise and work with the Dublin Zoo Veterinary Team when required. Provide cover for the Head of Life Sciences when necessary.
• Undertake Link duties (Duty Manager), including weekends & public holidays.
• Engage positively with members of the Management Team and their respective departments in support of the general operational success of activities being carried out at Dublin Zoo.
• Ensure that departmental budget control is maintained for the financial sustainability of the organisation.

• Required: Tertiary qualification in an appropriate discipline, e.g. zoology or other wildlife‐related science.
• Essential Skills and Experience:
• Experience in the care and management of zoo animals, with at least 7 years hands‐on experience in a medium‐sized to large zoological garden and / or wildlife park.
• At least 5 years' experience in a supervisory position in an EAZA or BIAZA collection (or equivalent).
• Experience in a wide range of husbandry procedures, including operant conditioning planning and execution, environmental enrichment program design and transport methods.
• Understanding and appreciation of the Zoo's ethics, research, education programs and conservation involvements.
• Experience in animal behaviour and training principles.
• Experience in zoo breeding programmes and structured animal welfare assessment.
• Good understanding and experience in people management principles and procedures.
• Experience of leading and coordinating Health and Safety practices in the workplace environments.
• Oral and written proficiency in the English language.

• Provide leadership and motivation to a multidisciplinary team from diverse backgrounds.
• Set goals, clearly communicate and achieve them within defined time limits and within budget.
• Organise and oversee/guide complex animal husbandry procedures/operations (vet procedures, animal transports, emergency escapes, translocations, etc).
• Ensure that the department is run with maximum efficiency.
• Communicate effectively with people at all levels, organisations, the media and the community at large.
• Prepare rosters, working plans, animal training plans, welfare assessments, animal collection plans.
• Prepare detailed reports in specific areas of animal‐related disciplines.
• Deal with the public in the context of a visitor attraction.
• Make presentations for different audiences (PowerPoint and others) and present/defend a case for debate and approval.
• Use MS Office to a high proficiency, with overall good computer skills.

• Botanical/horticultural knowledge and interest.
• Experience in working with volunteers.
• Experience in wildlife research.
• Knowledge of annual budget design and execution.
• An understanding and appreciation of the World Zoo Conservation Strategy and of regional conservation breeding programme management.
• Experience in recruitment and selection and investigative procedures.

Apply For This Job: Applications must be issued through the Dublin Zoo online portal: Dublin Zoo Online Portal.