Events Team Lead in London

Purpose of the role

Events at ZSL London Zoo are a key way for us to engage audiences, share our conservation mission, and support wider organisational goals. As Events Team Lead, you will play a vital role in the successful delivery of our seasonal events programme, providing day-to-day operational leadership and ensuring events run safely, smoothly, and to a consistently high standard. Working closely with the Events Manager and wider teams, you will provide essential logistical and project support across a large and complex operation. You will take responsibility for the real-time delivery of events on site, using your leadership skills to problem solve, make decisions, and respond effectively to challenges as they arise. As a lead operational role within the Events team, you will help coordinate teams, maintain high standards, and create memorable experiences for our visitors. This role is offered as a fixed-term contract until 1st September 2027, working 37.5 hours per week. 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

• Event Leadership & Delivery: Provide day-to-day operational leadership for seasonal events, including supporting and guiding event teams to deliver safe, successful, and memorable visitor experiences.
• Operational Decision Making: Act as the operational lead in the absence of the Events Manager, making informed decisions, managing risks, and resolving challenges to ensure smooth event delivery.
• Event Planning & Coordination: Lead the planning and delivery of seasonal events, coordinating timelines, resources, stakeholders, suppliers, and onsite teams.
• Team Support & Development: Support the management and development of event staff, promoting high standards, effective teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Live Event Management: Take ownership of live event operations, acting as the main point of contact for onsite queries and coordinating colleagues, contractors, and suppliers.
• Programme Support: Support the delivery of the wider events programme, ensuring events align with ZSL objectives and deliver against agreed outcomes.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively with internal teams, including Marketing and Creative Design, to ensure event materials and visitor communications are delivered to a high standard.
• Evaluation & Improvement: Gather and evaluate event feedback, producing reports and insights to support future improvements.

About You

• Experience delivering events from concept through to completion, with the ability to remain calm under pressure and solve problems effectively.
• Degree in an events-related subject or equivalent practical experience.
• Highly organised with experience managing competing priorities and tight deadlines using a methodical and thorough approach.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise workload and use initiative effectively.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and PowerPoint).
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
• Strong operations and logistics experience, with the ability to build relationships and networks quickly.
• Flexible and adaptable, with good time management skills and willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by events delivery.
• Ability to undertake regular outdoor work, including manual handling and lifting, in a range of weather conditions.

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?

Alongside the opportunity to do purpose-driven work that helps create a world where wildlife thrives, you'll enjoy a range of benefits, including:

• Up to 12% contributory pension.
• Flexible working options.
• 25 days' annual leave plus UK bank holidays, increasing with service.
• Enhanced family-friendly policies.
• Life assurance from day one (for eligible employees).
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
• Access to our staff Equality Networks.
• Complimentary London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo tickets, plus retail discounts.
• Cycle2Work scheme and interest‑free season ticket loans (for eligible London-based employees).

You can find the full details of our benefits in the attached Benefits Guide. 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.