Chief Conservation Officer/Deputy CEO

This is an exciting new position spearheading Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work, both in its role as a national conservation zoo and also through its field projects around the work, as well as the opportunity to play a key part of the executive team driving forward the Zoo’s exciting strategy.

Chester Zoo is the UK’s favourite zoo as well as an international conservation charity. What began as a family run zoo in 1931 is now a globally renowned centre of excellence for conservation and scientific research, and one of the UK’s biggest and most popular visitor attractions, with more than 2 million annual visitors. The zoo’s 128-acre site in Chester, which is home to more than 37,000 animals and more than 500 species, is where this species-saving work is made possible. As a conservation powerhouse, Chester Zoo works around the world to ensure species not only survive but thrive. The zoo is a key part of 139 international conservation breeding programmes, working with 62 conservation partners in 19 countries to protect wildlife and people.

As part of Chester Zoo’s united strategy compromising of an interlinked Strategic Development Plan and Conservation Plan, 2025 will mark the next major step change in the Zoo’s development plan as it opens ‘Heart of Africa’, an exciting new zone of the zoo, and, later in the summer, a 51-lodge hotel. These two brand new concepts will then support the Zoo’s ambitious conservation investment plan and its six key targets through to 2030, as well as the next stage of physical development of the zoo as it approaches its centenary in 2031.

The Chief Conservation Officer/Deputy CEO (CCO) will be responsible for directing and further developing the conservation plan and leading and integrating the Animal and Plant, Conservation Education & Engagement, and Conservation Science and Policy and Field Programmes departments into one ‘Conservation’ directorate. They will also work as part of a collaborative and cohesive executive team to support the development of and ensure effective delivery of the strategic plan. The CCO will support the development of the sustainability agenda and associated plans, ensuring that the organisation takes steps to reduce the global threats to biodiversity presented by climate change. Furthermore, they will act as Deputy CEO, supporting the CEO and overseeing day to day operations and decision making in the zoo in their absence.

The ideal candidate will be an exceptional, strategic leader with a strong understanding of and passion for global conservation issues. They will bring a collaborative and collegiate approach, strong communication skills, excellent people management skills and experience, commercial acumen and the ability and standing to be a strong advocate for the organisation and to influence at senior level in the relevant arenas.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Chester Zoo on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference JBRFA. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Monday 6th January 2025 but please note the advert will be removed from the Guardian on Friday 3rd January 2025.