Job opportunities

Head of capital projects

Purpose of the role

Are you looking for your next leadership role in capital project development? 

The Head of Capital Projects is critical to the transformation of the zoo's estate cross both its sites. With expertise and innovative approach to project management, there is an opportunity to shape capital project delivery across zoo, commercial and strategic sectors in order for ZSL to meet its vision to ensure people and wildlife thrive.

 

Key responsibilities

• Using the Estates Transformation guiding principles and strategy, provide leadership and expertise in delivering our goals and ambitions in providing excellence in sustainable design, reaching net zero by 2035, developing whole life cost and carbon analysis initiatives, and driving forward ZSL value for money agenda in projects.
• Responsible for ensuring the effective delivery, coordination, and budget management of the portfolio of capital projects to the highest quality standards, managing the project delivery from inception to completion.
• Provide strategic leadership for the development and implementation of the long-term site masterplans, with overall responsibility for the delivery of the masterplan capital projects, with a portfolio of circa £300m over the next ten years.
• Strategically partner with internal service delivery teams and enabling functions, such as HR communications, finance, legal, and procurement to ensure effective partnership working between departments where relationships are strengthened based on trust and added value
• Build and maintain relationships with high-level internal and external stakeholders, including donors, funding partners, executive project members, trustees, local authorities and landlords.

 

About you

You will have:

• Significant prior experience of large scale masterplanning and budget development and management, and wider operational leadership in a complex and diverse organisation
• Demonstrable experience in managing multi-sites, listed buildings and large mixed-use estates
• Advanced skills in project management, able to oversee multiple projects with the ability to prioritise as necessary.
• A solution-focused approach, the ability to make objective decisions under pressure, and structured, evidence-based decision-making.
• Proven ability to lead senior colleagues and teams across various disciplines and locations, able to influence, engage and constructively challenge at the strategic level

This post is a blended role for office and homeworking, with regular weekly travel to the office and zoo sites required, although more frequent presence onsite will be required at key stages of project delivery.

Interviews are expected to be held on 24th and 25th of January in our main offices at Regent's Park, London.

 

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.  

 

About us

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