Wildlife Manager
6 days ago
Kiwi Park is a family-owned conservation sanctuary dedicated to wildlife care, species management, and impactful conservation storytelling. We are committed to preserving biodiversity, supporting national recovery programmes, and inspiring visitors through meaningful education. As we continue to grow, we are seeking an experienced and passionate Wildlife Manager to lead our animal care and conservation engagement teams.
Position Overview
This is a key leadership role responsible for managing a team of 10–15 staff across two core areas:
- Wildlife Team – animal husbandry, species management, and facility care
- Conservation Show Team – staff training, daily presentations, and public engagement
This role requires a leader who excels in departmental planning, goal setting, and delivering projects in line with the park's long-term Master Plan and strategic direction.
Key Responsibilities
Wildlife Care & Species Management
- Lead the wildlife team to deliver best-practice animal husbandry, welfare, and habitat management.
- Oversee species planning and coordinate with nationally managed breeding programmes.
- Manage the conservation show team, including training presenters, refining show delivery, and ensuring accurate and engaging conservation messaging.
- Prepare, manage, and maintain all DOC permits, authorisations, and annual reporting.
- Ensure full compliance with biosecurity, wildlife legislation, and all statutory requirements.
- Experience with complex DOC applications (holdings, transfers, breeding programmes, etc.) is a major advantage.
- Develop and lead the department's annual operational plan, aligning all initiatives with Kiwi Park's Master Plan and long-term strategy.
- Set clear departmental goals, track progress, and ensure timely delivery of outcomes.
- Lead multi-stage projects — from planning and budgeting to execution and review — ensuring they are completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.
- Lead a team of 10–15 wildlife keepers and presenters, fostering a positive, collaborative, and high-performing culture.
- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, rostering, professional development, and performance management.
- Build strong working relationships with DOC, ZAA, iwi partners, veterinary professionals, and other conservation organisations.
- Ensure robust H&S compliance for both staff and wildlife.
- Maintain high operational standards across all wildlife facilities and show environments.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in captive wildlife management, conservation, and animal welfare.
- Strong experience with DOC permitting and New Zealand wildlife legislation — a major advantage.
- Demonstrated ability in departmental planning, strategy, and project delivery, ideally within a conservation or zoo-setting.
- Experience managing a medium-sized team (10+ staff), with confident, supportive leadership skills.
- A proactive, organised, and strategic thinker capable of aligning daily operations with broader organisational goals.
- Skilled in administration, reporting, budgeting, and operational planning.
- Experience with ZIMS, PMx, or similar wildlife management systems is a bonus.
- A genuine passion for conservation and commitment to professional growth — both personally and for your team.
Why Join Us
At Kiwi Park, you'll play a pivotal role in protecting native species and shaping the next generation of conservation leaders. You'll enjoy a supportive team, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to influence meaningful, real-world conservation outcomes. This role also includes the use of a company vehicle to support your work across the park.
