Centre and Operations Manager
- wildprofessionalsu
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Job Title
Centre and Operations Manager
Wage/Salary (£/$/€)
£30,000 - £38,000
Closing date for applications:
27-May-2025
Collection Name
The Bird of Prey Project
Website
Work Address
Newton St Loe, Bath BA2, UK
About the collection
Multiple award winning visitor centre and wildlife charity home to over 20 resident birds of prey and owls. Our mission is to conserve birds of prey, restore habitats and make wildlife education accessible. We are working to push the standards for restraint free behaviour shaping training using R+ training techniques throughout the resident bird team, whether that is routine health checking or in free-flight display.
Job Description
We are seeking an inspiring leader to build on the success of our award-winning charity. Are you an experienced bird keeper with leadership and management experience in a public facing role, looking to make a proactive difference for wild raptors and habitats in the UK? The Bird of Prey Project is a registered charity and multiple award-winning visitor centre and zoo working to conserve birds of prey, restore habitats and make wildlife education accessible. At this exciting time for the organisation, we are looking to recruit a new Centre & Operations Manager who can manage the visitor centre and lead the senior bird team whilst working alongside the Board of Trustees develop strategy and objectives for the charity. You will have the incredible opportunity to lead a team shaping new standards for restraint-free ethical management of birds of prey and contribute to nature recovery and wildlife education in the local area and community. What is the role about? The Centre & Operations Manager works directly with the Board of Trustees to manage the charity and visitor centre. This is a role for an experienced bird keeper and confident manager who will be in charge of a team of three to five employees and upwards of 20 volunteers, resident bird care and welfare delivery for over 20 species, legal compliance and accountability, financial management alongside the charity treasurer, and delivery of the charity’s objectives. The visitor centre receives over 10,000 visitors per year who provide the majority of the charity’s income. Providing a high standard of care and welfare, and the use of the restraint-free R+ training techniques to work with resident birds, are at the core of The Bird of Prey Project’s values and are things that the Centre & Operations Manager would be expected to lead on.
You would also oversee the work carried out as part of:
• The Cavity Nesting Species Programme – this programme works with eight project areas to monitor four target species affected by climate and land use change.
• The accessible wildlife education initiative – this consists of the provision of free learning materials for local authority funded schools and/or community groups, including virtual learning opportunities, career discussions and, occasionally, wildlife workshops.
• The Biomagnification Project – this consists of supporting Bath Spa University to facilitate research into imidacloprid through specimens collected as part of wildlife rehabilitation. You would also be responsible for line managing both Deputy Centre Managers. You should be confident in making decisions and able to balance opportunity and risk. An ability to operate within and develop governance, finance and risk frameworks is also a key part of the role, and whilst a background in nature recovery or wildlife conservation is not necessary, you should be passionate about The Bird of Prey Project’s mission.
Key responsibilities
• Act as Duty Manager when on site at the centre.
• Line manage the Deputy Centre Managers.
• Lead the care, welfare, husbandry and training of the collection.
• Deliver flying experiences and flying displays.
• Manage our daily visitor experience and events.
• Develop new streams of income generation.
• Oversee our charitable objectives, including the Cavity Nesting Species Programme and accessible wildlife initiative.
• Work with the charity treasurer to: o accurately record finances to ensure key payments are made and collected on time o deliver payroll for employees o reconcile cash payments to review monthly forecast vs actuals reports to forecast and budget for the charity.
• Manage any relationships with other zoos and external bodies.
• Ensure compliance with our licensing requirements, Charity Commission guidance, the law, and other relevant regulations/guidance/best practice.
• Lead the strategic development of the organisation alongside the Board of Trustees.
• Attend, contribute to, and act as Secretary for board meetings.
Current Employee Testimonial
Naomi Johns - Current Centre & Operations Manager After nearly a decade with the charity, I’m parting ways with The Bird of Prey Project at the end of August this year. I’ve grown up here, and had the great pleasure of leading the team and shaping the organisation since I was 18. There aren’t adequate words to summarise the experiences, challenges, lessons and achievements of the last decade - or if there are I haven’t found them yet! My choice for leaving is truly personal - the Project is an incredible charity on an exciting trajectory - an organisation comprised of the very best people you can find working with ethics, authenticity and kindness at its core. The organisation is growing, and this role is incredibly exciting for its next owner - an opportunity to be a real change maker for birds of prey, for wildlife and for people. They’ll probably get sick of hearing me say this over the next few months - but my team are amazing. I’m beyond proud of who they are, what they stand for and how they support one another.
Working Hours
8:30am - 4:30pm
Job Type
Full time
The candidate will be expected to work on:
Bank Holidays, Public Holidays
CPD Opportunities
Continual professional networking and conference attendance subject to available budget.
Staff Benefits
Built in CPD International Association for Avian Trainers and Educators membership (Iaate.org) 28 days holiday Pension scheme 1:1 opportunities with board of trustees
More information
To find out more and apply, please visit https://birdofpreyproject.org/about-us/opportunities/
Interviews will be held from:
26-May-2025
Start Date From:
01-Aug-2025
Zoom/Skype Interview Available
Yes
Cover Letter Required?
Yes
Interview Requirements
Second interviews will be held on site in person
Contact
Naomi Johns
Position
Centre & Operations Manager
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