At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome guests, provide outstanding service, and create memorable experiences in a dynamic zoo environment.
- Company: Join ZSL, a leading conservation charity dedicated to wildlife protection.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to wellbeing initiatives.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to inspire and empower wildlife conservation while having fun.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for customer service are essential.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Step into a role where every day brings new adventures. As a Visitor Services Host, you’ll be at the heart of the action, welcoming guests at Admissions, adding a little extra magic in our Retail outlets, and helping families make memories in the lively Hullabazoo play area. We’re looking for people who are committed to high standards of customer service, can adapt to a dynamic environment, and take pride in representing ZSL’s values in every interaction. If you’re motivated by working in a unique setting where no two days are the same, we’d be delighted to receive your application.
As our zoos are open seven days a week, your schedule will follow a rota which includes weekends and bank holidays. We aim to balance business needs with personal flexibility, so you’ll have advance notice of your shifts to help plan your time.
Key Responsibilities:- Deliver Outstanding Customer Service: Maintain high standards of customer service across all Visitor Services functions, ensuring every visitor enjoys a positive and memorable experience.
- Be a ZSL Ambassador: Represent ZSL with professionalism and enthusiasm, while actively participating in ongoing training, including mandatory courses.
- Visitor Support and Complaint Resolution: Serve as the first point of contact for visitor enquiries and complaints, resolving issues effectively and escalating to line management when necessary.
- Ensure Policy and Procedure Compliance: Adhere to all ZSL policies and procedures, including GDPR and Health & Safety regulations, to maintain a safe and secure environment.
- Foster Open Communication: Promote clear and open communication within the Visitor Services team by contributing to daily performance briefings and sharing valuable insights.
- Confident working in front-of-house roles, including outdoors in all weather, to help create a positive and welcoming experience for visitors.
- Dependable and adaptable, with flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and bank holidays with notice as required.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, enabling effective engagement with colleagues and visitors.
- Collaborative and proactive, supporting team members and maintaining smooth operations during busy periods.
- Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, acting in line with ZSL’s values and policies.
This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.
About Us:We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.
What We Offer:- Purpose driven work – join an organisation where every role contributes to creating a world where wildlife thrives.
- Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension.
- Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you.
- Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays (increasing with milestone anniversaries).
- Access to ZSL’s staff Equality Networks - Race & Culture, Team Pride, Disability, and Menopause, supporting an inclusive and welcoming workplace for those with lived experience.
- Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day.
- Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops.
- Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle.
- Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligible London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work.
- Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages.
We may close this role early or extend the closing date due to the number of applications we receive, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We anonymise applications until interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It’s important to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge.
If you have any questions about this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at recruitment@zsl.org.
Visitor Services Host in City of Westminster employer: Zoological Society of London
Contact Detail:
Zoological Society of London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Visitor Services Host in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know ZSL and its values inside out! When you walk into that interview, show us how your passion for wildlife and conservation aligns with our mission. It’s all about making that connection!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Think of scenarios where you might need to handle visitor enquiries or complaints. We want to see how you can turn a negative experience into a positive one!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your adaptability! Our environment is dynamic, so share examples of how you’ve thrived in changing situations. We love candidates who can think on their feet!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions during your interview! Show us you’re genuinely interested in the role and the team. Plus, it’s a great way to figure out if we’re the right fit for you too!
We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Services Host in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Customer Service Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in customer service. We want to see how you've gone above and beyond to create memorable experiences for visitors, just like you'll be doing as a Visitor Services Host.
Be Yourself: Let your personality shine through in your application! We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals who can represent ZSL with professionalism and warmth, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are.
Tailor Your Application: Read the job description carefully and tailor your application to match. Use keywords from the description to demonstrate that you understand what we’re looking for and how you fit the bill.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and helps us get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zoological Society of London
✨Know Your ZSL Values
Before the interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with ZSL's mission and values. Being able to articulate how you align with their commitment to conservation and customer service will show that you're not just looking for any job, but that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've delivered outstanding customer service. Think about times when you resolved complaints or went above and beyond for a visitor. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the dynamic environment of a Visitor Services Host.
✨Be Ready for Role-Play Scenarios
Expect to engage in role-play during the interview, as it’s a great way for them to see how you interact with visitors. Practice responding to common visitor enquiries or complaints, showcasing your communication skills and adaptability in real-time.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about the training process for new hires or how they foster open communication within the team. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.