Visitor Programmes Officer

Visitor Programme Officers play a vital role in delivering exceptional customer experiences and bringing the Zoo’s mission and ZSL strategy to life. Working closely with the events team, they create engaging talks, tours, workshops, and pop-up events that captivate diverse audiences. They also contribute to ZSL’s daytime commercial experiences, generating essential revenue to support global conservation efforts. This role is key to inspiring visitors and fostering a deeper connection to wildlife and conservation.

The role requires a minimum of two days per week on a fixed rota pattern, with shifts ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 hours per day.

 Key responsibilities: 

• Welcoming visitors to Whipsnade Zoo, creating a safe, engaging, and inspiring environment that fosters support for wildlife conservation.
• Delivering the onsite visitor programme, including talks, workshops, and events, while meeting KPI targets.
• Support with developing and refining programme content, including writing scripts, planning workshops, and ensuring all information is accurate and aligned with ZSL’s mission.

• Confident and adaptable in a fast-paced visitor attraction or customer service environment.
• Experience in communicating science and conservation topics to diverse audiences in an engaging and accessible way.
• Proven ability to work with children, creating informative and interactive experiences tailored to younger audiences.
• Outstanding people and communication skills, fostering positive interactions with visitors of all ages.
• A genuine passion for zoos, conservation, and the environment, with a commitment to inspiring others about wildlife and sustainability.
• Available to work one weekend day per week and during bank holidays.
• Able to work with us between the 1st April 2025 and the 22nd September 2025. 

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.  

What do we offer?  

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct  
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you  
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays  Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme  
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day 
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops  
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle  
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work 
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages