Habitat Lead Keeper

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Habitat Lead Keeper in the Predators and Primates Section at ZSL London Zoo! This role puts you at the heart of the action, where you’ll oversee daily operations while ensuring the highest standards of animal care, welfare, and enrichment.

We’re looking for a passionate and experienced individual with a strong background in caring for large predators and primates, as well as a deep understanding of enclosure design. You’ll also bring the practical expertise needed to redevelop large primate enclosures and provide valuable guidance to the team, following protocols set by the Section Manager, Animal Operations Manager, and Taxonomic Curator.

In this influential role, you’ll drive innovation in enclosure design, embracing evolving husbandry techniques and species-specific requirements while delivering an unforgettable, immersive experience for visitors. You’ll also ensure that all team members adhere to Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations, safeguarding the highest standards of safety and compliance.

This is an exceptional chance for a motivated and skilled individual to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact on animal care and visitor engagement.

Key responsibilities:  

• BSc in a relevant biological subject, or appropriate qualifications in Zoo Animal Management or the equivalent.
• Prior practical experience of working with enclosure design, construction, and refurbishments in Zoos; including rock work, painting, rope splicing and basic carpentry.
• Some experience supervising staff in safe use of tools and completing enclosure work.
• Knowledge and willingness to work on and learn about enclosure design and modification techniques within zoological collections.
• Background knowledge and ability to research products suitable for specific species enclosures as well as environmental parameters such as temperature, UV and other UK requirements for specific species.
• Understands health & safety requirements for staff, visitors, and animals and able to implement processes and procedures. 
• Ability to manage, prioritise and delegate a diverse workload.

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