British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Assistant Curator
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Sealife Adventure
Closing date for applications is: 11th Oct 2026
Contact: Jennifer Vowles (jennifer.vowles@stockvale.co.uk)
Sector: Animal Care
Type: Paid
Contract type: Full-time
Salary: Salary based on experience
Assistant Curator Role
As Assistant Curator, alongside the Curator at Sealife Adventure Zooquarium, you’ll be responsible for the leadership of the team, development, and strategic direction of the husbandry department. You’ll ensure that all exhibits uphold the highest standards of animal welfare, public engagement, and visual impact through expert animal care, innovative exhibit design, and strong team leadership.
Your creative vision and operational expertise will shape the future of our animal collection. You will continuously improve current exhibits while developing new, compelling experiences that give our guests a compelling reason to visit, and to engage more deeply with wildlife. You’ll play a central role in delivering on our education, conservation, and research goals while fostering a motivated, knowledgeable, and high-performing team.
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Key Responsibilities
- Lead, train and inspire a team of aquarists and keepers, promoting a culture of continuous development and excellence.
- Manage recruitment, onboarding and ongoing performance of team members.
- Ensure best-in-class animal welfare and husbandry standards, compliant with the Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (SSSMZP) and all relevant legislation.
- Maintain standards in line with BIAZA guidelines of membership.
- Design, implement and maintain engaging, world-class exhibits that educate and excite visitors.
- Support the Science Officer to implement successful research and conservation programmes in line with our research and conservation strategy.
- Work with internal teams to develop and deliver a multi-faceted learning programme in line with our education strategy.
- Act as a key point of contact for inspections and ensure all husbandry-related documentation and records are up to date and audit-ready.
- Ensure efficient management of resources, and develop cost-effective solutions to operational challenges.
- Liaise with external contractors, veterinary professionals and consultants to seek advice and support where needed.
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Qualifications & Experience
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities, with a solutions-focused mindset.
- Strong, flexible leadership style with a track record of building high-performing teams.
- Proven experience managing diverse animal collections in a zoo or public aquarium.
- Expertise in aquatic animal husbandry, water chemistry, and life support systems.
- In-depth understanding of zoo licensing regulations and compliance.
- Commercial awareness and a clear understanding of how leadership contributes to wider business success.
- Experience working within or alongside education and conservation departments is desirable.
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