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Are you ready to take the lead in delivering unforgettable animal experiences at one of the South West’s top family attractions? At Puxton Park, we're looking for a dynamic, creative, and hands-on Head of Animals to captivate visitors with an engaging, interactive animal collection. You’ll create immersive encounters, ensuring guests leave with lasting memories, while driving smart, sustainable development and upholding the highest welfare standards. If you're passionate about education, entertainment, and making a real impact, this is your chance to be at the heart of the adventure!
Working at Puxton Park
At Puxton Park, we believe that work should be meaningful, inclusive, and enjoyable. As one of the South West’s leading family attractions, we’re more than just a great day out — we’re a community of passionate individuals who care deeply about people, animals, and the environment.
Our team is at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re helping guests make memories, caring for animals, or supporting behind the scenes, you’ll be part of a supportive and welcoming workplace where everyone’s contribution is valued.
We are proud to be an ethical and inclusive employer. We celebrate diversity, encourage collaboration, and are committed to providing opportunities for growth, learning, and development. Respect, kindness, and compassion underpin every part of our culture.
We believe in doing the right thing — for our people, for our animals, and for the planet. That means high standards of welfare, a strong commitment to sustainability, and creating a workplace where you can thrive and be yourself.
Your Role
As Head of Animals, you’ll play a key role in bringing our animal experiences to life, ensuring visitors enjoy engaging, educational, and immersive encounters. You’ll oversee the daily operations of our animal team, shaping a collection that fascinates guests while maintaining the highest standards of care and welfare.
Your expertise will help develop interactive experiences that make every visit memorable—whether through hands-on animal encounters, captivating public talks, or behind-the-scenes insights that spark curiosity. You'll lead a dedicated team of keepers, students, and volunteers, fostering an environment where both animals and visitors thrive.
Beyond the day-to-day, you’ll shape the future of our animal department, balancing innovation with sustainability to create a dynamic and commercially sound collection that aligns with visitor expectations and educational goals.
You’ll also play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of animal care professionals through our partnership with Weston College. By integrating hands-on learning opportunities into daily operations, you’ll inspire students and enrich the visitor experience with live demonstrations and interactive educational moments.
This is the perfect role for someone who’s as confident in engaging audiences with compelling presentations as they are in delivering hands-on animal care in all weathers. If you’re passionate about bringing people and animals together, this is your chance to make an impact!
Key Responsibilities
· Oversee all aspects of animal husbandry, enrichment, welfare, and health across the collection
· Manage, support, and develop your team of keepers, student placements, and volunteers
· Review our existing animal collection and create an inspiring, sustainable plan for the future
· Ensure the animal collection remains ethical, commercially viable, and adds real value to the wider business
· Build and maintain a strong partnership with Weston College, embedding education into daily operations
· Deliver engaging, educational, and safe animal talks, interactions, and experiences for visitors
· Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and tidiness, ensuring your department is ‘show ready’ at all times
· Liaise with governing bodies and regulatory authorities to ensure full compliance with welfare, licensing, and safety requirements
· Maintain robust health & safety, safeguarding, and welfare standards across the department
· Monitor supplies, manage budgets, and ensure efficient department operations
· Support the ongoing improvement of enclosures and visitor-facing animal spaces
What We’re Looking For
· Level 3 qualification or higher in Animal Management, Zoology, or a related subject
· At least 3 years’ hands-on experience in a zoo, farm park, or wildlife setting
· Minimum 1 year in a supervisory or team leadership role
· Strong working knowledge of animal welfare legislation and species-specific care
· Experience mentoring students or working in an educational context
· Demonstrable visitor engagement and public speaking skills
· Commercial awareness – understanding how animal choices impact both guest experience and business outcomes
· Confidence in rota planning, animal records, and basic budgeting
· Experience in reviewing or planning animal collections
· Practical knowledge of enclosure design and enrichment
· Familiarity with safeguarding procedures in educational settings
· Full-time role including weekends and bank holidays on a rota
· Outdoor work in all weathers
· Physically active – manual handling and animal care involved
What We Offer
· Competitive salary based on experience
· Ongoing CPD and training opportunities
· Free park entry and staff discounts
· A supportive, collaborative team culture
· A real opportunity to shape the future of the animal department in a role with purpose
Ready to Join Us?
If you’re passionate about animal welfare, skilled in leadership, and excited by the idea of combining education, conservation, and guest experience – we’d love to hear from you.
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your experienceandyour vision for a sustainable, ethical, and engaging animal collection todarren@puxton.co.ukby 30th June2025.
Pay: £26,000.00-£29,000.00 per year
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
* Industries
Amusement Parks and Arcades
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