Office - Deputy Head of Wildlife

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Deputy Head of Wildlife

Hours: 40 hours per week

Shift Pattern: Working any 5 days from 7 to accommodate the needs of the business. Start and finish times will vary.

Work pattern: This is a 364 day operation and involves duty warden management therefore there will be the need to work weekends, evenings and bank holidays on a rota basis in accordance with business needs

Duration: Permanent/Full time

The Role

West Midland Safari Park is currently sourcing candidates for the role of Deputy Head of Wildlife. The position will oversee the efficient and smooth day-to-day operations within all animal habitats, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and guest experience. Supporting the wider business strategy for animal collection and business development.

Working with our amazing Carnivore, Ungulate, Elephant, Reptile, Aquatic, Insect and Mammals Wildlife and Veterinary teams, this varied and exciting role will require the successful candidate to deliver effective leadership and support of the Wildlife and Veterinary team, ensuring all people management, engagement and communication tasks are undertaken with advisement and working in conjunction and alignment with the HR Department.

This role will take full responsibility for ensuring animal management and welfare standards are at all times achieved by the Wildlife and Veterinary team in accordance with WMSP's stated policies, practices and procedures and in accordance with the relevant legislation, zoo licensing and advisory codes of practice.

A key aspect of the role will be taking responsibility for reviewing and maintaining a safe environment for all Wildlife team members, animals and guests, ensuring compliance with all Health & Safety company policies and statutory legislation requirements. The role will also have responsibility for ensuring the parks compliance against Wildlife related ESG requirements and commitments.

The role will work in collaboration with the Head of Wildlife and the Senior Leadership team to ensure future animal habitats and associated elements are designed and developed to meet species animal husbandry standards and operational requirements.

Additionally, the successful candidate will also work with the daily operational Duty Manager to ensure all animal habitats outside the Safari-Drive are operating smoothly and efficiently to achieve the required guest experience.

Working in alignment with the HR team, the role will support the development of a progressive and growth department mindset, encouraging all direct reports and wider wildlife team to generate continuous improvement solutions in line with Company values, proactively delivering ad-hoc and capex proposals for company consideration.

The role will also proactively assess the development & skills levels of managers, supervisors and staff and provide the senior leadership team with a framework of additional skills and development requirements annually.

About you

As a Deputy Head of Wildlife you will play an extremely important role in managing the Wildlife and Veterinary teams and so experience of building high performing and engaged teams is essential.

A Diploma in Management of Zoo & Aquarium (DMZAA) is desired but not essential however a relevant degree in an animal related discipline such as Animal Management is required.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Managerial/supervisory experience in Zoological collections
• Experience of working with external Zoological organizations and official bodies
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to positively influence team members
• A positive 'can-do' attitude and be used to multi-tasking, balancing deadlines and workloads
• Strong commercial awareness, financial acumen and budgetary experience
• Effective time management and IT skills
• Demonstratable experience working in a Zoological collection with varied taxon's
• Ability to build relationships and work with a wide range of people both internal and external including interaction with the public
• Experience as part of the firearms Team (desirable but not essential)
• Experience of health and safety requirements in Zoological collections
• Experience in managing the complexity of demands posed by both a commercial and conservation environment

The successful candidate will be required to drive around the park, into the animal reserve and animal restricted areas, therefore you will hold a full, valid driving licence. You will also be willing to undertake a First Aid at Work qualification if you do not already have one.

Rewards & Benefits

As well as benefiting from working with our range of unique and beautiful animals, you'll also receive a range of additional rewards & benefits including:

• Free Entry! - Unlimited entry to West Midlands Theme Park & Drayton Manor Resort
• Discounts! - 35% discount in our Food, Beverage & Retail outlets
• Rewards! - Reward & Recognition incentives through our Safari Big 5! programme
• Support! - 24/7 access to online GP and/or counselling support
• Wellbeing! - Wellbeing events, newsletters & discounted Gym membership
• Perks! - Exclusive brand deals & retailer discounts
• Socials! - Quarterly team gatherings & parties

Who we are and what we do

West Midland Safari Park is an award-winning visitor attraction, located in Worcestershire in the heart of England. It is home to some of the world's most beautiful and critically endangered species, with a four-mile safari drive-through, walk-through Discovery Trail, African Village and Lemur Woods, as well beautiful walking trails, allowing guests to experience up close encounters with hundreds of exotic animals. Guests can also choose from a wide range of catering and retail outlets, as well as enjoying a large amusement area with over 25 rides and attractions providing the ideal venue for family days out.

In 2021, the Park introduced Safari Lodges - luxury accommodation allowing guests to stay overnight for the first time. Guests can wake up to incredible sights of elephants, giraffe, rhino and red panda, or sleep just a 'whisker' away from lions, tigers and cheetahs.

Our mission is to bring people together to create unique wildlife experiences that exhilarate, educate and leave memories to last a lifetime.

Our 200-acre site allows us to do just that, whether you're a day guest, wedding guest or overnight guest! We create experiences unlike no other, attracting visitors from across the Midlands and beyond.

Our brand and our team members live by our core values. We're passionate and work with a sense of togetherness, always striving to be progressive, with preservation at the heart of everything we do, all while creating unforgettable experiences.

Through these principles we aspire to achieve our vision: to be the number one UK wildlife attraction through the creation of immersive animal habitats and unique visitor experiences.

Application closing date: Friday 14th March 2025

Other details

• Job Family WMSP
• Pay Type Salary

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