British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Guest Relations Manager
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
The Big Cat Sanctuary
Closing date for applications is: 19th Jul 2026
Contact: Lisa Pressland (jobs@thebigcatsanctuary.org)
Sector: Hospitality/Catering
Type: Paid
Contract type: Full-time
Salary: Competitive, dependent on skills and experience
Guest Relations Manager
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week, 10 shifts over 14 days
Shift pattern: Straight 8-hour shifts between 07:00 and 22:00
Salary: Competitive, dependent on skills and experience
Location: Headcorn, Kent (Own transport essential)
Reports to: Head of Hospitality
About The Big Cat Sanctuary
The Big Cat Sanctuary is one of the UK’s most remarkable conservation destinations. Our mission is to protect wild cats and their habitats through Conservation, Rescue, Welfare, Breeding, and Education. Our guests don’t just visit, they come for experiences that are genuinely unlike anything else, and the standard of hospitality they receive needs to reflect that. This is an intimate, premium setting where quality takes precedence over volume, and every guest experience is carefully delivered, remembered, and shared.
The Role
Overseeing the on-site guest journey at the Big Cat Sanctuary from arrival through to departure, ensuring every guest receives an exceptional, personalised 5-star experience from the moment they arrive.
The Guest Relations Manager leads the Guest Relations team, works hand-in-hand with the Keeper team to deliver our wildlife experiences, and coordinates closely with Restaurant, Kitchen, Housekeeping, and Reservations to ensure every product we offer is executed seamlessly and to the very highest standard.
An integral part of the role is developing and motivating the Guest Relations Supervisor and Guest Relations Hosts, embedding consistent standards and a genuine passion for what makes the Big Cat Sanctuary special.
What You Will Be Responsible For
Service Delivery
- Own the on-site guest journey across all Big Cat Sanctuary products, covering big cat encounters, guided tours, photo days, afternoon teas, lodge stays, and special events, ensuring every touchpoint reflects our standards
- Liaise closely with the Keeper team to coordinate encounter/tour timings, group flow, and daily scheduling, ensuring wildlife experiences run smoothly/safely
- Ensure photo days are coordinated and delivered to a high standard, with guests well briefed, supported, and looked after throughout
- Oversee day guest experiences from check-in to departure, proactively managing group sizes, timings, and on-site flow
- Work with Housekeeping Supervisor to ensure lodges are presented and ready to 5-star standard ahead of every arrival with welcome touches in place
- Coordinate with Kitchen/Restaurant teams around afternoon tea service, lodge dining, and any food-related elements of the guest experience
- Handle guest feedback, concerns, and complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues with care/efficiency
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Team Support & Leadership
- Lead/manage Guest Relations team, including the Supervisor, Day Experience, and Experience Hosts
- Support the planning and on-the-day delivery of events, ensuring Guest Relations team are briefed, prepared, and represent Big Cat Sanctuary
- Oversee rota management and scheduling for the Guest Relations team to ensure appropriate cover at all times, including evenings, weekends & bank holidays
- Foster strong, collaborative working relationships across all departments, including Kitchen, Restaurant, Reservations, Housekeeping, Keepers, and the wider team
- Coordinate/lead regular team meetings, ensuring agreed actions completed within set timeframes
Guest Experience
- Monitor/act on online reviews and guest satisfaction data; implement improvements where required
- Identify/capitalise on upselling opportunities, including bolt-on experiences, add-ons, and upgrades across all products
- Managing mystery shopper programmes, responding to online reviews, and acting on feedback and comments to constantly strive/improve service standards
Operational Tasks
- Manage recruitment, induction, training, and ongoing development of the Guest Relations team
- Complete 1:1s, reviews, and direct reports appraisals, maintaining accurate/useful staff records
- Work Health & Safety Procedures and Protocols, ensuring all Guest Relations staff do the same
- Assist other Big Cat Sanctuary departments, as and when required
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
What We Are Looking For
- Previous experience in a similar role with hands-on leadership/managerial responsibilities
- Demonstrate a genuine commitment to delivering outstanding, personalised service, with a natural instinct for anticipating guest needs and exceeding expectations
- Demonstrates the confidence and presence to lead and inspire the team, maintaining high standards with a calm and fair approach
- Professional presence and confidence
- Team-oriented with the ability to collaborate across departments
- Maintain strong attention to detail and a proactive mindset, ensuring all preparations and service standards are consistently met and exceeded
- Genuine flexibility, weekends, and Bank Holidays are a core and regular part of this role
- Full, clean driving licence and access to own transport
- Eligibility to live and work in the UK (proof required as part of the recruitment process)
What We Offer
- Competitive Salary, dependent on skills and experience
- 40 hours per week, 10 shifts over 14 days, straight 8-hour shifts between 07:00 and 22:00
- 28 days paid annual leave, plus Christmas Day off as standard
- Free access to Big Cat Sanctuary and a network of UK and European zoos and wildlife collections
- Staff discounts and a genuinely special working environment, supporting a charity with a real conservation mission
Apply For This Job
To Apply
Please send your CV and a cover letter to: jobs@thebigcatsanctuary.org
In your cover letter, please tell us about your relevant experience and what draws you to this role at BCS specifically. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
The Big Cat Sanctuary is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location