Job opportunities

Living Collections Manager

Birdworld is evolving.

As we continue to develop our animal collections, visitor experience, conservation impact and operational standards, we are looking for an experienced and people focused Living Collections Manager to lead the next phase of our journey.

This is not simply a traditional zoo management role. We are looking for someone who believes in building teams, developing people and creating a positive, supportive and ambitious working culture.

The successful candidate will bring strong leadership experience alongside a genuine passion for mentoring others, investing in staff development and helping teams thrive. You will play a key role in shaping the future of Birdworld’s living collections department while ensuring the highest possible standards of animal welfare, compliance and professionalism.

About the Role

Reporting to the General Manager, the Living Collections Manager will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across Birdworld’s living collections.

You will lead and support a multidisciplinary leadership team including:

• Keeper Team Lead
• Records & Veterinary Officer
• Conservation Education Team Lead
• Animal Welfare Officer

Working collaboratively, you will continue to develop the department, strengthen operational standards and help shape the future direction of the collection.

You will also act as the senior competent person for zoo licensing and animal management, ensuring Birdworld continues to meet and exceed all Zoo Licensing Act requirements, Secretary of State Standards of Modern Zoo Practice and evolving BIAZA expectations, while helping drive a long-term strategy towards future EAZA membership.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking an experienced and approachable leader who can inspire, support and develop others.

You will be someone who:

• Leads with empathy, professionalism and positivity
• Believes in coaching, mentoring and investing in people
• Has experience building high-performing teams and positive workplace cultures
• Can confidently support and develop department leaders
• Understands the importance of accountability, standards and collaboration
• Is passionate about animal welfare, conservation and continuous improvement
• Thrives in a progressive environment focused on growth and development

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the living collections team through coaching, mentoring and professional development
• Create a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture across the department
• Support and develop the leadership team to achieve both operational and strategic goals
• Ensure outstanding standards of animal welfare, husbandry and biosecurity
• Lead compliance across zoo licensing, inspections and regulatory requirements
• Maintain inspection readiness and support continuous improvement across the site
• Oversee animal records, veterinary coordination and operational procedures
• Build strong relationships with BIAZA, external inspectors, veterinary partners and industry stakeholders
• Contribute to strategic collection planning, conservation initiatives and future development projects
• Support Birdworld’s ambition to continue raising standards with a future pathway towards EAZA membership

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in a senior zoo or animal collection management role (not specifically birds)
• Strong understanding of zoo licensing, compliance and animal welfare standards
• Proven experience leading, mentoring and developing teams
• Experience embedding positive workplace culture and professional standards
• Strong communication, coaching and leadership skills
• Experience managing inspections, audits and compliance processes
• Experience working collaboratively with veterinary professionals and external regulatory bodies
• Experience using ZIMS or equivalent records systems

Desirable

• Experience working with avian collections
• Degree or HND in zoology, animal management or related discipline
• Membership or involvement with BIAZA or EAZA
• Experience contributing to conservation breeding programmes and collection planning
• Evidence of continued professional development

Why Join Birdworld?

Birdworld is undergoing an exciting period of transformation and growth. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of the UK’s best loved bird collections while developing teams, improving standards and driving meaningful progress in animal welfare, conservation and visitor experience.

We are building a culture centred around collaboration, professionalism, development and care both for our animals and our people.

If you are an experienced leader who is passionate about developing teams and raising standards, we would love to hear from you.