Job opportunities

Animal Care and Conservation Manager

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and values-driven Animal Care and Conservation Manager to join Fota Wildlife Park’s Senior Management Team. Reporting directly to the Park Director, this is a compelling opportunity for an experienced zoological professional ready to take on operational and strategic leadership of our animal collection at a pivotal moment in Fota’s development.

You will lead a team of animal care professionals, carrying day-to-day operational accountability for the collection alongside a genuine strategic brief: shaping Fota’s conservation science identity, contributing to European breeding programmes, and helping to define the future of Fota Wildlife Park.

Key Responsibilities

The role spans four interconnected areas of accountability:

Animal Collection and Welfare

•       Lead all aspects of animal husbandry, welfare assessment and veterinary liaison to the highest standards.

•       Maintain and develop the Institutional Species Collection Plan and drive continuous improvement in welfare outcomes.

•       Oversee animal training, enrichment and habitat development in line with the strategic plan.

Health, Safety and Compliance

•       Take primary ownership of H&S leadership across all animal care activities, ensuring a robust safety culture and full compliance with Irish and EU legislation and EAZA accreditation standards.

•       Develop and maintain H&S policies, risk assessments and safe systems of work, and lead incident investigation and corrective action processes.

Conservation Science and Research

•       Lead the development of Fota’s conservation strategy and grow the Park’s research and conservation science profile.

•       Coordinate EEP participation and other international species management programmes and develop research partnerships with academic institutions.

•       Provide leadership for Fota’s native species recovery work, including programmes with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

 

Leadership and People Management

•       Lead, develop and performance-manage a team of 20+staff, including rota management and all people operations within the department.

•       Act as Duty Manager on a rostered basis, including weekend cover, providing senior operational leadership across the Park.

•       Manage animal care and conservation budgets and represent Fota credibly at regional, national and international forums.

What We Are Looking For

•       A master’s degree or above in zoology, veterinary medicine or a related discipline; PhD or conservation science postgraduate qualification highly desirable.

•       A minimum of ten years’ experience in animal collection management within an EAZA accredited zoological organisation or equivalent.

•       A proven track record in people leadership and performance management of a substantial animal care team.

•       Demonstrable H&S leadership experience in a zoological or complex operational setting..

•       Experience in conservation science research, including EEP participation, publications or species recovery programmes.

•       Sound financial management skills and proficiency in ZIMS and EAZA accreditation frameworks.

•       A genuine, demonstrable commitment to conservation as both a science and a mission.