As Head Elf, you'll bring the magic of Christmas to life at ZSL London Zoo's Magic of Christmas event. Based primarily in Santa's Grotto, you'll lead a team of dedicated Christmas Elves, ensuring every guest enjoys a warm, welcoming, and memorable visit with Father Christmas.
You'll oversee the day-to-day operation of the Grotto, coordinating schedules, managing visitor flow, and ensuring activities run smoothly, on time, and without disruption. Acting as the main point of contact for guest enquiries, you'll confidently resolve issues and help maintain an exceptional visitor experience.
This role is all about spreading festive cheer and creating a fun, immersive atmosphere for children and families. Through strong leadership, enthusiasm, and excellent customer service, you'll play a key role in delivering the magic of Christmas across the zoo. A love of Christmas and Santa is essential!
This role is offered on an 8-week fixed-term contract. Working hours will average 12-18 hours per week initially, increasing to approximately 30 hours per week during the final two weeks, when the Grotto operates daily. 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: 
- Bring the Magic to Life: Play a Christmas Elf at London Zoo, primarily based in Santa’s Grotto but also supporting across other festive event locations. As an Elf, you’ll ensure every visitor, big and small, has a truly magical experience.
- Lead and Supervise: Oversee a team of Christmas Elves, guiding them to deliver exceptional customer service and festive cheer throughout the event.
- Resolve Guest Queries: Take the lead in handling guest queries within the Grotto, ensuring any issues are resolved quickly and effectively.
- Keep the Magic on Schedule: Manage the Grotto’s daily schedule, ensuring everything runs smoothly, on time, and without delays