Section Manager Small Mammals

The exciting and rare opportunity for a Section Manager of Small Mammals has arisen at London Zoo. Small Mammals is a large multifaceted section with a range of exhibits, including the Rainforest, Nightlife, Outback and In with the Monkeys. This role will enable ZSL to achieve its vision, purpose, and priorities by leading the animal section and ensuring the animals are cared for at the highest standards. They will directly manage the Team Leader/s and Section Leads and support the Zoological Management Teams in ensuring compliant operational function. This role will work closely with the Curatorial Team to set and deliver the species plan in line with our strategic and conservation goals.

Key responsibilities:  

• Management of the associated taxonomic groups, including, the delivery of breeding plans, animal moves, animal areas, commercial and engagement activities.
• Responsible for managing all aspects of animal care, behavioural management, and welfare of the animals within the section. Setting the standards and protocols for animal care, welfare and safe working practises.
• Maintain the highest standards of animal care and animal management, reporting, and advising on the health and welfare of the animals within the respective section
• Manage people, proactively planning the future workforce requirements and ensure staff have regular PDR's including training.
• Ensure the health and safety of visitors, volunteers and welfare of animals in enhanced animal contact situations, including walkthrough exhibits and animal encounters by setting standards and protocols

• Extensive experience of working with a variety of species within a zoo environment
• Experience of developing new projects, including animal areas, which are delivered to a high standard for animals, visitors and staff.
• Experience in people management in an operational setting, with an emphasis on mentorship, development, recruitment planning, day-to-day management, performance management and staff scheduling
• Professional knowledge of the taxa in the care of the section including natural history, biology, good industry practice management, current conservation threats and recovery status
• An understanding of the importance of population management and how that affects their specific taxa, including the value of genetic diversity.
• Advanced understanding of animal behaviour management.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.  

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 do we offer?  

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:  

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct 
• 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  
• 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