Join to apply for the Zoological Centre Manager role at Central Bedfordshire College
Role Details
Location: Old Warden / Shuttleworth College – Old Warden
Salary: £41,086 to £47,971 per annum (Pro‑Rata) depending on experience and qualifications
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term – Full Time – Fixed until 28th August 2026
Right to Work: This is a UK based contract. You must have the Right to Work in the UK; no sponsorship offered.
Responsibilities
* Lead centre operations – manage the day‑to‑day running of the zoological education centre, ensuring best practice, professional standards, and compliance with zoo licensing and BIAZA requirements.
* Ensure animal welfare & compliance – maintain welfare audits, feeding guidelines, veterinary liaison, and biosecurity measures while preparing for inspections and meeting legislative standards.
* Manage records & resources – oversee Species360/ZIMS records, procurement within budget, and ensure accurate documentation for animal transfers and conservation activities.
* Engage stakeholders & students – collaborate with curriculum teams, support open days, liaise with external organisations, and promote the centre’s positive image.
* Promote safety & continuous improvement – lead health and safety culture, manage waste and sustainability, respond to emergencies, and maintain CPD through training and industry engagement.
About You
* Essential Qualifications – Degree in Animal Management/Zoology, GCSE English & Maths (A–C), and a record of CPD in the zoo sector.
* Specialist Knowledge & Experience – strong vocational experience in animal care, expertise in zoo licensing, BALAI, BIAZA requirements, and maintaining specialist enclosures.
* Compliance & Operational Skills – knowledge of UK animal care legislation, health & safety, RAMS, and experience managing budgets, welfare audits, and accurate records.
* Professional Attributes – effective communicator, team player, reliable, flexible, and committed to safeguarding, EDI, and College values (Student Focus, High Performance, Respect, Openness, Honesty).
* Flexibility & Development – ability to work evenings/weekends, respond to emergencies, travel across sites, maintain CPD, and willingness to achieve First Aid certification.
Interviews to be held: 15 January 2026
Vision Values
* Valuing Teamwork – we are one team who, by working together, can achieve great things, respecting opinions and valuing each contribution.
* Improving Continuously – we challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice, and learning from others.
* Student Centred – at our heart is always doing what is best for our students, considering them in all decision‑making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences.
* Inclusive – we celebrate differences and diversity, recognising we can learn from each other.
* Open and Caring – we care about the wellbeing of staff, students, community, and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage, and support each other.
* Nurturing Education Excellence – we promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge students to achieve their ambitions.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975 provide information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions; further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group’s policy on Employment of Ex‑Offenders is attached to this vacancy.
Applicants who are barred from working with children are reminded that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.
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