Visitor Experiences Host

We are looking for Visitor Experience Hosts to captivate, engage, and interact with guests through our unique overnight experiences, Lookout Lodge, Nature Nights, and Hullabazoo Sleepovers, at the iconic ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

At ZSL, we are passionate about our animals, and our need hosts inspire that same enthusiasm in our guests. You’ll provide once-in-a-lifetime, after-hours experiences, guiding visitors on walking tours, some under the stars, while entertaining, educating, and sparking curiosity about wildlife and ZSL’s vital conservation work.

With a diverse array of animals and visitors, you’ll confidently engage guests of all ages, from our youngest budding zoologists to lifelong supporters, making every visit memorable and magical.

Shift patterns are part-time over a four-week cycle, including early (7:00–10:30am), evening (4:00–10:00pm), and overnight shifts, with an extra £72.45 per night. The role involves regular outdoor work in all weather, including weekends and bank holidays. Overnight accommodation, lodge or tent depending on the experience, and all equipment are provided.

Please note: Candidates MUST be available for compulsory training on 28^th February 2026 ahead of their agreed shift patterns starting week commencing 23^rd March 2026.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Customer Service: Support Visitor Services during overnight experiences—Lookout Lodge, Nature Nights, and Hullabazoo Sleepovers at Whipsnade Zoo. Welcome guests and create a safe, relaxed, and fun environment.
• Guest Experience: Engage and entertain guests with animal talks and zoo tours. Deliver experiences to a high standard to meet ZSL’s educational and visitor enjoyment targets.
• Guest Relations: Act as the first point of contact for guest issues. Resolve concerns and liaise with ZSL staff as needed.
• Health and Safety: Be the main contact for emergencies or other incidents, including first aid, following all Health and Safety procedures.

• Excellent communication skills, an enthusiasm for the natural world and a flexible outlook to ensure that every guest has a great experience.
• Previous experience presenting public tours, talks, shows or events.
• Prior experience of working with children, ideally in an informal learning context.
• A degree or qualification in Animal Studies, Zoology, Wildlife Conservation, or Performance, or equivalent relevant experience (desirable). 
• A Full manual UK driving licence held for at least one year (essential).
• A First Aid at Work certificate/qualification (essential), training will be provided if required).

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK and an Enhanced DBS Check is required for this role (essential). 

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group. 

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