Director Melbourne Zoo – Zoos Victoria
Posted: 27 May 2022 | Full-Time | Melbourne, Australia
- Lead a passionate and highly engaged workforce at Australia’s oldest zoo
- World renowned wildlife protection and conservation programs
- Enhance visitor experience and provide innovative and creative solutions
About Zoos Victoria and Melbourne Zoo
Zoos Victoria is a world leading zoo-based conservation organisation, fighting extinction and creating a future rich in wildlife through conservation of wildlife and community with nature. With three world class zoos (Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo) Zoos Victoria works to bring about change in attitudes, beliefs and actions in ways that reduce threats to wildlife, promote wellbeing and prevents extinction. Through these experiences Zoos Victoria looks to inspire and facilitate the community, both locally and outside of Victoria to take conservation actions that make a measurable positive difference to our wildlife.
About the Role
Located in the beautiful leafy Parkville area, Melbourne Zoo is the oldest Zoo in Australia. The Zoo is home to more than 300 species of animals and welcomes over 1.3 million visitors per year. The Director of Melbourne Zoo is a key role in the organisation, with a strategic focus across visitor experience, life sciences and operations.
The Director will provide dynamic, proactive leadership and will work closely with the CEO and General Managers to optimise visitor experience, inspire employees and volunteers, deliver strong commercial outcomes whilst creating a wildlife friendly community. Driving collaboration and building partnerships with other sites to achieve Zoos Victoria’s strategic plan will be key to the success of this role.
About You
To be considered for this incredible opportunity, we are seeking a strategic executive leader who is passionate about contributing and making a difference to Zoos Victoria. Previous experience within zoos or public attractions with a focus on staff and visitor experience will be essential for this role. You will be an innovative and driven leader who has been successful in sharing the organisational vision and engaging and taking people along on the journey to achieve strategic outcomes.
With a structured approach to problem solving, you will drive multiple and potentially high-profile projects at the Melbourne Zoo that will ensure the role is always unique and interesting. Furthermore, this is an opportunity to leave a lasting conservation and wildlife protection legacy, and an opportunity to be innovative and influential in leading the way zoo’s around the world.
In addition, you will have strong business acumen, experience in enhancing processes to improve outcomes, and have genuine passion about representing Melbourne Zoo and Zoos Victoria.
To Apply
For a copy of the Success Profile for this role, please click the following link: https://bit.ly/3lNamDL
To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button and upload your application. For further information or a confidential discussion on this incredible opportunity, please contact Natasha Diamond on 0412 822 348 or Ellie Ryan on 0422 584 231.

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.