ZSL - The Zoological Society of London - is seeking to recruit a Development Manager to play a leading role in the delivery of its £300m estate transformation.
ZSL is an international conservation charity driven by science, working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world by protecting critical species, restoring ecosystems, helping people and wildlife live together and inspiring support for nature. We run two conservation zoos - London and Whipsnade, we are doing conservation in over sixty countries, and we are at the leading edge of conservation biology through our Institute of Zoology.
As we approach our 200th anniversary in 2026, we have developed a vision for how ZSL will lead that journey and make conservation more effective. A key part of that is our ambition for our estate. We want to create a biodiversity and nature campus, in partnership with universities and others; a new home for our own science and conservation work; a centre for native species recovery; and new accommodation offers on both sites. These plans represent a root-and branch rethink of what a 21st-century scientific Zoo should and could be and set a strategic direction of travel for ZSL that will enable us to use our considerable physical assets much more effectively to achieve our goals.
Reporting to the Director of Estates Transformation, the Development Manager is critical to the transformation of the zoo's estate across both its sites. With expertise and an innovative approach to project management, there is an opportunity to shape capital project delivery across zoo, commercial and strategic sectors for ZSL to meet its vision to ensure people and wildlife thrive.
The role offers a fantastic opportunity to lead a diverse range of capital projects on a truly unique estate portfolio, whilst gaining masterplanning experience through working closely on long-term strategy with the Estates Transformation Director. They postholder will also have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through the management of internal and external project professionals.
We are seeking an individual with a proven track record in project leadership roles across property and estates portfolios of significant complexity. You will have demonstrable technical and commercial skills in the construction industry, with experience gained on projects of significant technical complexity such as refurbishment, conservation and decarbonisation schemes. Above all candidates must have a genuine motivation and enthusiasm for the work that ZSL has and an appreciate of the crucial part that the estate can play in enabling this.
Alongside a competitive salary and pension scheme, career development potential and flexible working approach we offer a range of employee benefits including a regularly allocation of complimentary tickets to both Zoos. To learn more, visit the candidate brochure at The Management Recruitment Group website.
To arrange a briefing discussion please contact our retained advisors Ben Duffill of MRG. Applications should consist of a CV and covering letter and can be sent to Ben.
Closing date for applications is 16th June 2024. Interviews are scheduled to take place in late June 2024.