At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting educational projects and events at Chester Zoo, making a real impact on conservation.
- Company: Join Chester Zoo, the UK's most popular zoo and a major wildlife charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, healthcare plans, and discounts on various services.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Work in a unique environment surrounded by incredible animals while driving conservation education.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and a passion for education and conservation.
The predicted salary is between 40430 - 40430 £ per year.
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We are Chester Zoo. We're not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that's home to 37,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We're a major wildlife charity that is committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. As the world faces an extinction crisis, we're making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it's needed most. We prevent extinction.
The Role
We now have an exciting new role for an Education Projects Manager, to join our award‑winning Conservation Education and Engagement directorate. Reporting to the Senior Conservation Education Manager, this role will lead small to medium scale cross‑departmental projects that are key to achieving our goals as leaders in Conservation Education. Projects could include significant annual events such as our community festival Nature Fest and the National Conservation Education Awards to leading a project team to successfully deliver our popular holiday clubs offer.
In driving effective project management across the directorate, this role will lead on reviewing and maintaining our systems and processes, ensuring we are effectively utilising platforms and project management tools. They will lead our Bookings and Administration team, ensuring excellence and efficiency in our processes across areas such as resource management, educational bookings, ordering and reporting.
We're looking for someone who can:
- Project manage to time, budget and quality the successful delivery of educational and engagement events and projects throughout the year e.g. Nature Fest, Holiday Clubs, National Conservation Education Awards, Youth Summit.
- Lead cross‑departmental project teams to deliver the above, working closely with programme managers across teams to ensure outputs achieve our goals for Conservation Education.
- Review and improve project management approaches and processes across the directorate, supporting effective communication, time and resource management.
- Build expertise and support the team to best utilise platforms such as SharePoint and specialist project management tools.
- Line‑manage the Education Bookings Team, ensuring our directorate processes are working effectively to support all teams in achieving our goals, including but not limited to bookings, invoicing, resource management, ordering, coordination of meetings and training, storage, filing.
- Manage the use and maintenance of our buildings and spaces across site.
Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world and our planet a better place. As the UK's biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there's always lots going on here. We're an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.
Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?
The Package
- Permanent Contract 40 hours per week, predominantly between 08:30‑17:00. This includes scheduled weekend working to support the functions of the directorate with days off in lieu given.
- Salary: £40,430 per annum.
- Opportunity for occasional working from home.
- 33 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days.
- Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme.
- Discounted gym membership.
- Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks.
- Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%.
Our Requirements
An understanding...
Education Projects Manager employer: Chester Zoo
Contact Detail:
Chester Zoo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Projects Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education and conservation sectors, especially those connected to Chester Zoo. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for conservation! When you get the chance to speak with hiring managers or during interviews, share your enthusiasm for wildlife and education. Let them know why you want to be part of their mission to prevent extinction.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for project management questions! Brush up on your project management skills and be ready to discuss how you've successfully led projects in the past. Use examples that highlight your ability to manage time, budget, and quality.
✨Tip Number 4
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 joining our team at Chester Zoo.
We think you need these skills to ace Education Projects Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Education Projects Manager role. Highlight your project management experience and any relevant skills that align with our conservation education goals. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for conservation and education shine through in your application. Share any personal experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to wildlife conservation and community engagement. We love to see candidates who are as passionate about our cause as we are!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where appropriate to make your skills and experiences stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that your application goes directly to us and is reviewed promptly. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on your application status. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chester Zoo
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, dive deep into Chester Zoo's recent projects and initiatives. Familiarise yourself with events like Nature Fest and the National Conservation Education Awards. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Education Projects Manager, you'll be leading cross-departmental teams. Prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and drive results, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Tools and Processes
Chester Zoo values effective project management tools. Brush up on platforms like SharePoint and any project management software you've used. Be prepared to discuss how you've improved processes in previous roles and how you can bring that expertise to their team.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Conservation
This role is all about conservation education. Make sure to express your passion for wildlife and conservation efforts. Share any relevant experiences or volunteer work that demonstrates your commitment to these causes, as it will resonate well with the zoo's mission.