Project Manager

The Project Manager (referred to as Animal Care Manager on certain projects) is a management position responsible for all animal care and operations on the assigned project. You will play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and welfare of our animal residents. Primary responsibilities include the care and wellbeing of all animals under the facility’s care; maintenance of all habitats; and a positive team approach within the projects department. Management, coaching and training of the animal care and training team is essential to the growth and development of the project. Where the project requires, you will monitor the dietary habits of the animals, develop new diets, maximise reproduction, and use your in-depth species knowledge (including birds, where applicable) to develop and manage breeding programmes, ensuring best practice in animal welfare and husbandry at all times.

1. Animal Husbandry:

• Coordinate and manage all animals on the assigned project(s), overseeing the daily care, husbandry, nutrition, enrichment and medical attention of every species, and maintaining the highest standards of welfare and safety.
• Perform daily health checks, behavioural observation and training, and monitor the ongoing health and wellbeing of all animals under the Company’s care.
• Assist in developing and implementing enrichment programmes that promote the mental and physical wellbeing of the animals.
• Ensure habitats and animal care practices comply with facility-specific policies and with local municipality health and safety rules and regulations.
• Maintain accurate animal record logs (behavioural, medical and conditioning), and perform duties to reduce loss and waste, control costs and communicate expenses accurately.
• Develop and manage breeding programmes to maximise reproduction, using in-depth species knowledge (including avian husbandry and breeding, where applicable).
• Develop and implement species-specific dietary plans based on each animal’s nutritional requirements, and maintain accurate records of feeding schedules, portion sizes and dietary changes.
• Establish supplier relationships for a reliable, diverse food stock; order animal food, equipment and products; monitor food quality and safety so all diets meet established standards; and develop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, parasite and disease control in coordination with the veterinary team, in line with local municipality regulations.
• Work closely with the Veterinarian to establish sound medical programmes, including diet formulation, preventative medicine, testing, quarantine and general health care.

2. Facilities, Equipment Management:

• Work closely with the facility development team on the technical requirements of the animals and their habitats, and ensure contracted services complete ongoing maintenance and repairs of the facility and exhibits.
• Oversee the acquisition, storage, inventory and procedural use of equipment used in animal acquisition, transport and procedures.
• Assist in developing new facilities and projects — internally and externally with other companies — providing on-site assistance, and help develop and implement operational procedures that ensure human and animal safety.
• Oversee the maintenance team responsible for exhibits, support equipment and workspaces, along with ancillary tasks associated with the breeding facility.

3. Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, train and motivate a team of animal care professionals with a proactive, engaging management approach, fostering a positive environment that promotes teamwork and professional development.
• Create schedules, assign tasks and provide guidance, and oversee the scheduling and tracking of the animal care team’s time and assignments.
• Train the animal care team on safe handling and restraint of all species maintained on the project, and on the project’s specific breeding requirements.
• Mentor junior sta while maintaining the highest standard of guest service.
• Promote the mission of Worldwide Zoo Consultants as directed by the Projects Management and Leadership team.

4. Operations, Collaboration & Budget:

• Undertake daily operations within the Projects Department, working collaboratively with other animal care sta to ensure the highest levels of safety, courtesy, education, e iciency and operational readiness at all times.
• Communicate any animal health concerns to Animal Collection Supervisors and veterinary sta to develop and implement care and treatment plans, and assist Supervisors with administrative tasks (daily health records, exhibit maintenance notes and stock reports).
• Assist in emergency situations to minimise damage, loss or injury to guests, team members, animals or company property, and ensure compliance with all policy and procedure documents.
• Engage with visitors — answering questions and providing information about the animals and their conservation needs — and maintain proper inventory levels of food and supplies.
• Prepare annual budget requirements and ensure the project stays within the proposed budget.
• Other duties as assigned; the workplace is dependent on the Company’s projects and some travel outside the UAE may be required.

• 7–10 years experience with animal husbandry, animal training required (project-dependent) and for avian focused projects, a minimum of 10 years with mandatory avian husbandry and breeding experience.
• Experience managing large multicultural teams.
• Exceptional leadership skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience managing departmental budgets.
• Competency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Creative problem solver, skilled in identifying and recommending solutions to problems.
• Knowledge of project management and safe work principles and practices.
• Experience with animal collections and their management.
• Substantial experience in the care, feeding, husbandry and breeding of relevant species (including birds, where applicable).
• Experience in the treatment of sick and injured animals, including birds, and euthanasia where necessary.
• Skills in assessing and prioritising multiple tasks.
• Ability to organise and complete projects using initiative and professional judgement, working both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain e active working relationships with co-workers.

The individual must possess the following abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some or a combination of the abilities:

• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to work outdoors.
• Ability to read, listen and communicate e ectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to access and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.
• Hearing and visual ability to observe and detect signs of emergency situations.
• Requires the ability to perform the physical, visual and hearing requirements in the working conditions below.