Head of Conservation Education and Engagement

Head of Conservation Education and Engagement

As a leading international conservation charity and visitor attraction, education and
engagement are key to how we achieve our mission of preventing extinction. As our Head of
Conservation Education and Engagement (CE&E), you will lead the development and delivery of
the zoo’s conservation education and engagement programmes and ensure the smooth running of the
CE&E department.

Reporting into the Director of Conservation Education, you will work collaboratively with a
team of senior and operational managers, teaching and engagement teams and other specialists,
to ensure the delivery of exceptional education and engagement work across the organisation.
You will make sure that our education and engagement work delivers strongly on conservation
related outcomes, is sector leading in its ambition and scope, fully compliant with all
legislation and practice standards and crucially that we exceed the expectations of our 2
million visitors, partners and education programme participants.

You will provide expert input into a wide range of initiatives across the organisation, and
will have direct oversight, through your management team, of our extensive work with schools
and colleges, our Ofsted registered childcare provision, interpretation and our visitor
programme of talks, tours, storytelling and other activities, including engagement in our
mammal walkthroughs.

The Package

• Permanent position.
• Salary range of £66k – £70k per annum.
• 40 hours per week, worked predominately 8.30am – 5pm, Monday-Friday, with some evening and
  weekend working to support operational requirements. Overnight travel, including
  internationally, may also be required.
• The responsibilities of the role require the Head of CE&E to work onsite here at
  Chester Zoo for most of the time, but where operationally possible there is opportunity for
  some remote working (approx. one day per week).
• 33 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days.
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary
  tickets for your friends and family.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks.
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%.

Core Responsibilities

Strategy development: Support the Director of Conservation Education to
develop the overall strategy for education and engagement; developing strategic plans for the
delivery of schools’ programmes, visitor engagement, childcare and interpretation alongside the
managers in these areas. Ensure plans are produced collaboratively, communicated effectively to
internal and external stakeholders as required, and that appropriate resourcing plans are in
place.

Leading strategy implementation: Lead the delivery of a portfolio of education
projects, programmes and services that make a substantial contribution to the delivery of the
targets of the Chester Zoo Conservation Plan, Strategic Development Plan and Organisational
Plans. Proactively develop new programmes to meet objectives, to grow our impact and income and
ensure all programmes are effectively resourced, delivered with efficiency and to the highest
standards.

Partnership development and advocacy: Develop and manage partnerships with a
wide range of stakeholders who support and enable our education and engagement programmes.
Pro-actively engage in sector networks (locally, nationally and internationally) to increase
our reputation as a centre of excellence for conservation education, influence policy and
contribute to the development of practice across the sector, particularly in relation to
zoo/NGO led conservation education and the formal education sector.

Risk management and compliance: Assess, control and mitigate risks associated
with delivery of our education and engagement programmes, including horizon scanning and
planning for unexpected changes and challenges. Support Managers to develop and implement
robust processes to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and best practice guidance,
including Health and Safety, copyright, GDPR, safeguarding, Disability Discrimination Act, our
Ofsted registration and the zoo licensing and accreditation requirements.

People Management: Provide effective leadership to the CE&E department,
developing a positive culture of innovation, learning and growth. Develop, mentor, coach and
motivate a team of appropriately skilled staff (and contractors), supporting their wellbeing
and managing performance as required.

Financial Management: Effectively manage the financial resources of the
department through planning and control of the department budget, including appropriate
tendering and procurement in line with CZ policies and procedures. Drive income through
identifying opportunities for external funding and increasing revenue from new and existing
charged for services. Ensure all resources are planned and deployed efficiently and
effectively.

Evaluation and Reporting: Develop and manage reporting processes to ensure
robust monitoring and evaluation of education and engagement programmes, in order to drive
improvements, report to stakeholders and to drive sector knowledge about what works. Lead on
the measurement of education related Conservation Plan targets and proactively support the
development of the global evidence base for zoo-led education. Collaborate with research
specialists to ensure an ongoing programme of education research and lead on the development of
and setting of appropriate KPIs.

Professional development. Develop own skills as an expert in the field,
actively seeking personal development opportunities, engaging with the wider sector to horizon
scan for best practice and sharing expertise both internally and externally, to drive culture
of innovation and constant improvement.

Our Requirements

We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce and job
applicants. Whilst our requirements for this demanding and exciting opportunity are high, we
recognise that not all candidates will meet every requirement listed. The ideal candidate for
the Head of Conservation Education and Engagement role will demonstrate enthusiasm and aptitude
for the responsibilities of the role outlined above, supported by most of the following
experience, skills and competencies:

• Significant experience leading the development of ambitious, complex and innovative
  education and visitor engagement programmes for a variety of audiences and outcomes, ideally in
  a comparable large visitor footfall setting (e.g. zoo, museum, environmental charity, theatre
  or other cultural attraction).
• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience in a conservation and/or education
  related subject, with the ability to teach conservation education related topics to all ages,
  including to professional educators at a postgraduate level.
• Practical knowledge and understanding of the drivers of human behaviours in relation to
  living sustainably for nature (conservation psychology).
• Substantial management and leadership experience with a proven track record of effective
  team leadership, with the ability to make good decisions under pressure and influence and
  inspire at all levels.
• Proven experience of evaluating and evidencing the conservation, educational and/or social
  impacts of education programmes, including the development and monitoring of KPIs, impact
  reporting and ideally preparing papers for peer reviewed publication.
• Demonstrable understanding of and commitment to safeguarding and to equality, diversity and
  inclusive practices.
• Commercial acumen with a proven ability to grow income from a variety of sources, including
  experience developing and managing funded projects and developing business plans.
• Evidence of commitment to professional development and ongoing learning, including active
  engagement with relevant professional networks and proven experience supporting the development
  of others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience of communicating with a
  wide range of audiences and stakeholders, and adapting style for differing contexts.
• Strong project management experience and skills and proven experience of budget planning
  and management.
• High level of computer literacy.

We reserve the right to close the role prior to the advertised closing date, with this
in mind candidates are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.

Closing date: Sunday 16 June.