Director of Animals –– Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Posted: 19 January 2021 | Full-Time | Yorkshire, United Kingdom | Application deadline: 31 January 2021
Background
Since its opening in 2009, Yorkshire Wildlife Park has evolved to become the UK’s number 1 on-foot safari. A dynamic centre for conservation and welfare, we feature walkthrough exhibits that take the guest directly into the world of the animals. With a 5-year masterplan in place, the park is set to expand, creating more ground-breaking animal reserves as part of a multimillion pound, unique and innovative development.
A unique opportunity has arisen for a strong leader with an in-depth knowledge of conservation initiatives and the zoological community to join the expanding animal department at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to develop research and conservation projects along with a strong previous working history in zoo management. It is also desired that they will have robust commercial acumen which will support them in developing the department for the future.
The candidate will be responsible for the delivery and management of all strategic activity within the animal department. They will formulate and implement strategy which aligns the animal department with the group’s objectives, whilst ensuring the continuation of the department’s exemplary standards for animal welfare, health and husbandry, conservation, guest experience and innovation.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
- Budgetary responsibility and overall management of the animal department’s costs.
- Ensure synergy and continuity in relation to standards of management across the department.
- Coach, develop and motivate the department’s leaders to consistently deliver exemplary standards for animal welfare, health and husbandry, commercial astuteness, people management practices and visitor experience.
- Lead and develop a culture of continuous improvement to meet and exceed departmental KPI’s.
- Lead the department to achieve its objectives in relation to in and ex situ conservation programmes.
- Develop further research opportunities and projects.
- Constantly review the YWP animal collection plan.
- Develop and maintain relationships on behalf of YWP within the Zoo community i.e. studbooks, EEP’s, tags etc.
Candidate:
- Excellent knowledge of the zoo community and relevant legislation.
- A relevant scientific degree.
- Commercially astute with an acute attention to detail.
- Well versed with Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Standards and quality driven management style.
- Must be flexible and able to work during our peak times which include weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.
The closing date for applications is the 31st January 2021.

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.