Position No: ZPA3121101

Salary/Level: Level 8, $157,900 - $171,005 p.a. plus Superannuation

Tenure: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Perth Zoo, Western Australia

Join Perth Zoo, a global leader in wildlife conservation, and be part of one of the world’s best inner-city zoos.

Our purpose is clear: empowering a future where wildlife and humanity thrive together.

With significant changes and developments underway, there has never been a better time to join our dynamic and passionate team.

About you

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced professional to lead our Life Sciences team. The role provides leadership, direction and management of the conservation, animal husbandry and administration functions of the Life Sciences program. The Director participates as a member of the Corporate Executive Team, contributing to corporate management and strategic planning, reporting to senior authorities, and coordinating Life Science components in various Zoo programs.

About the role

• Executive and Corporate Cohesion: Actively contributes to Perth Zoo’s corporate management, strategic planning and continual improvement. Provides comprehensive reports to the Executive Director and other stakeholders, ensuring successful coordination of Life Science components in priority programs.
• Program Management: Monitors, reviews and reports on the effectiveness of Life Sciences programs. Leads and develops program activities, manages staff performance and oversees financial and administrative resources to meet agency standards.
• Conservation Achievement: Collaborates with colleagues and stakeholders to enhance the Zoo’s contributions to conservation programs. Develops relationships with conservation groups, reviews program alignment with priorities, and reports on conservation achievements.
• Animal Husbandry Standards: Ensures excellence in animal management standards, including developing SOPs, managing animal records and ensuring compliance with accreditation and welfare legislation. Collaborates regionally and globally on species management.
• Safety and Leadership: Promotes a culture of safety by implementing best practices for health and safety management. Demonstrates strong leadership by fostering responsibility for safety, providing fair appraisals and clearly communicating safety roles within the organisation.

The successful applicant will be required to possess or obtain a current and satisfactory National Police Check prior to commencement.

Application Instructions:

To allow the selection panel to make an accurate assessment of your application, please submit the following:

• A covering letter (no more than two (2) pages).
• A written response addressing the three (3) requested criteria below (in no more than three (3) pages).
• A current CV, including the details of two referees with one being a recent or current manager/supervisor.

Selection Criteria

1. Substantial knowledge, understanding and experience of captive animal management and wildlife conservation (supported by appropriate qualifications in and experience with captive animals).
2. Demonstrated leadership skills which build organisational capacity, agency responsiveness and deliver outcomes.
3. Experience in managing program budgets, staff performance and implementing health and safety management practices.

Please click “Apply” and you will be redirected to the WA Government Jobs Board website at https://search.jobs.wa.gov.au/ where you can submit your application online.

For further information about the Zoological Parks Authority, please visit https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/

For further job-related information, please contact Mr. David van Ooran, Executive Director on (08) 9474 0355.

Closing date: Thursday, 10 July 2025 at 12 noon AWST (2pm AEST). No late or pro forma applications will be accepted.