Overview
Director of Finance and Resources – Edinburgh Zoo
Salary: c. £99,000
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is seeking to appoint a Director of Finance & Resources to join its Executive Team at a pivotal point in the organisation’s development. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Board of Trustees, this is a senior leadership role with significant influence over the organisation’s financial sustainability, operational performance and long-term resilience.
RZSS is an internationally respected conservation charity and the organisation behind Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park - world-class visitor attractions and gateways to nature, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year while delivering conservation impact locally and globally.
About RZSS
Founded in 1909, RZSS exists to save wildlife and empower people to protect the natural world. Through its two iconic parks, conservation programmes, education and community engagement, RZSS combines commercial activity with charitable purpose.
With annual income of c.£23.5m, RZSS operates within a complex environment, balancing visitor-led commercial income with long-term conservation, education and community outcomes.
The Role
The Director of Finance & Resources will provide strategic financial leadership while overseeing a broad portfolio of shared services across the organisation. The role has responsibility for Finance, Property & Estates, IT and Digital (including cybersecurity and data management), and Health & Safety, working across Edinburgh Zoo, Highland Wildlife Park and wider operations.
As a key member of the Executive Team, the postholder will play a central role in shaping business planning, improving organisational performance, and ensuring RZSS is well-positioned to meet future challenges and opportunities.
Key responsibilities include:
Leading financial strategy, long-term business planning and performance management, with a strong focus on sustainability, income growth and cost effectiveness
Acting as a trusted adviser to the CEO and Board on financial performance, investment decisions, risk and future funding models
Driving continuous improvement across finance and corporate services, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and value for money
Providing strategic oversight of estates, capital investment and infrastructure planning across both sites
Leading digital and IT strategy, including cybersecurity, data governance and future technology opportunities
Owning the organisation’s risk management framework, business continuity planning and compliance agenda
Engaging visibly with teams across the organisation, fostering collaboration, accountability and a values-led culture
This is a hands-on, high-impact leadership role, requiring presence, curiosity and the ability to ask the right questions, and that goes beyond overseeing the core functions.
The Candidate
RZSS is seeking a commercially astute, pragmatic and forward-thinking leader with the credibility to operate at executive and Board level.
The successful candidate is likely to bring:
Significant senior leadership experience within a complex, multi-income or visitor-facing organisation (charity, public body, NDPB, leisure or commercial environment)
A recognised professional finance qualification (e.g. ACCA, ICAS, CIMA or equivalent)
Strong strategic and commercial insight, with experience improving business performance, scrutinising spend and shaping future funding models
A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to engage and influence multi-disciplinary teams
Experience overseeing shared services functions beyond finance, or the appetite and capability to do so
A practical, adaptable and innovative mindset, able to spot opportunities, challenge assumptions and drive improvement
Candidates do not need prior zoo or conservation experience; transferable leadership capability and commercial judgement are key.
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to join the executive leadership of one of Scotland’s most iconic organisations, combining commercial responsibility with charitable purpose. The Director of Finance & Resources will play a critical role in shaping how RZSS finances its future, supports its people and protects nationally important assets.
The role offers real influence, visibility and the chance to make a lasting contribution to conservation, communities and public engagement with nature.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Lauryn Pringle or Debbie Shields at Aspen People on 0141 212 7555.
More information can be found on our dedicated recruitment microsite: https://www.aspenpeople.co.uk/rzss/
To apply, please upload your CV and cover letter (as one document) below.
Closing date: Monday 16 th February
Stage interviews : 1st stage w/c 9th March; 2nd stage w/c 16th March
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