Executive Coordinator in Dunstable

ZSL is looking for two executive coordinators to join our executive support team. As an executive coordinator you will play a pivotal role in providing high-quality administrative, coordination, and operational support to a Director and nominated senior team members. This role ensures the department operates efficiently while driving strategic projects that deliver measurable impact. Acting as a central point of coordination, you will support effective communication, project delivery, and general administration, helping translate strategic priorities into well-organised day-to-day operations. Through proactive diary and meeting management, coordination of correspondence, and oversight of key departmental processes, you will enable leaders and teams to focus their energy on high-impact conservation outcomes. The role is dynamic and collaborative, contributing to strong team culture, continuous improvement, and effective ways of working across ZSL. Your individual responsibilities and project priorities are shaped to the needs of the department and refined through regular Performance Development Review (PDR) conversations, ensuring alignment with departmental goals, operational requirements, and ZSL’s wider organisational strategy. This is a permanent role offering hybrid working, with 2-3 days based at our Regent’s Park offices. For the Zoo Operations role, at least one of these days will be spent at Whipsnade Zoo. Position 1 – Working with our Director of Zoo Operations, helping enable world-class zoo delivery. Position 2 – Working alongside our Director of Fundraising and providing wider coordination across Marketing, Events, and Communications to drive supporter engagement for conservation. You are welcome to express an interest in either position when applying and will have the opportunity to discuss your preference in more detail at interview.

Key responsibilities:

• Diary and Schedule Management: Manage diaries, schedules, and meetings for the Director and nominated senior team members, including arranging appointments, travel, and team events.
• Meeting Coordination and Governance Support: Prepare agendas, minutes, and action points for team, committee, and relevant board meetings, ensuring follow-up on agreed actions.
• Team Development and Onboarding: Assist with team development and effectiveness, including onboarding of new staff with induction plans, supporting internal communication, and contributing to the improvement of aligned financial administrative processes and systems.
• Governance and Compliance Support: Provide low-level governance support to senior leaders, including preparation of documentation for audits, compliance checks, and committee/board meetings if required.

About You

Strong background in executive administrative or coordination roles, ideally within a charity or multi-stakeholder environment. With the ability to prioritise competing demands and manage multiple tasks efficiently. Confident supporting senior executive staff, managing diaries, meetings, and projects. Skilled in basic financial administration, including invoices, purchase orders, and expense claims. Excellent written and verbal communication, confident in liaising with senior stakeholders and team members. Discreet and trustworthy, handling sensitive information with care and confidentiality. Proficient in Microsoft Office and other administrative systems.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 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 eligibly 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. Over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application. 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