EDGE Training and Leadership Development Manager

The EDGE of Existence programme is a flagship conservation initiative at the Zoological Society of London, focused on supporting early-career conservation leaders working on the world’s most unique and threatened species. This role leads the design, delivery, and evolution of the EDGE of Existence Programme’s training and leadership development portfolio. This includes coordinating the EDGE Fellowship, supporting postgraduate partnerships, and expanding and embedding EDGE’s contribution to ZSL’s strategic commitment to training conservationists.

Key responsibilities:

• Training Strategy & Programme Leadership: Co-lead the development and delivery of EDGE’s global conservation training and leadership approach, in accordance with the EDGE strategy, within ZSL’s broader education and training framework.
• EDGE Fellowship Programme Management: Coordinate EDGE’s flagship training initiative, the EDGE Fellowship, throughout the entire cycle from promotion and application to onboarding, mentoring, and alumni engagement.
• Course Delivery & Evaluation: Oversee and ensure the successful planning, delivery, evaluation and reporting of EDGE’s two annual flagship training courses, the four-week Conservation Tools Course in a tropical environment and the three-week Conservation Impact Course in the UK.
• Grant Management & Financial Oversight: Manage the disbursement and financial oversight of EDGE Fellowship grants, ensuring compliance with grant agreements and ZSL policies.

• Confidence working both strategically (planning and development) and operationally (delivery and administration).
• Experience designing, delivering, or managing training or education programmes, ideally within conservation or a related field.
• Proven ability to plan and coordinate complex international activities, including logistics for overseas field-based programmes and UK-based training, with willingness to travel globally (including remote locations) for up to approximately 45 days per year.
•  Experience managing complex budgets or grants, including financial oversight and reporting.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse cultural and geographic backgrounds, including early-career professionals and students.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and safeguarding in programme delivery.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is available for this position. 

ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. 

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