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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoology Manager

💰 $ - $

ZoologyWildlife ManagementConservationAnimal ScienceZoological Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoology Manager is a senior operational and scientific leader responsible for planning, directing, and optimizing all aspects of animal collection management, welfare and husbandry programs, conservation initiatives, and staff development within a zoological or wildlife facility. This role blends evidence-based animal care, regulatory compliance, team leadership, budget oversight, partnership development and public-facing program delivery to meet institutional goals for animal welfare, conservation impact, research productivity and visitor engagement. Ideal candidates combine advanced zoological knowledge with proven supervisory experience, project management skills, and strong stakeholder communication.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Zookeeper / Lead Zookeeper with multi-species supervisory experience
  • Animal Care Supervisor or Captive Breeding Coordinator
  • Wildlife Biologist or Field Ecologist with zoo/conservation program experience

Advancement To:

  • Director of Animal Programs / Director of Collections
  • Head of Conservation & Research / Vice President of Animal Care
  • Executive Director for smaller institutions or systems-level conservation leadership

Lateral Moves:

  • Curator (Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, or Multi-species)
  • Habitat & Exhibit Operations Manager
  • Animal Welfare & Accreditation Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of animal care, husbandry, nutrition, behavioral enrichment, medical coordination and quarantine protocols for a multi-species collection to ensure optimal animal welfare and compliance with regulatory, accreditation and ethical standards.
  • Develop, implement and maintain species-specific care plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and evidence-based protocols—including nutrition matrices, enrichment schedules, behavioral monitoring benchmarks and breeding management plans—to support population health and conservation goals.
  • Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of keepers, husbandry technicians, animal health staff, volunteers and seasonal workers; recruit, onboard, train, evaluate and coach personnel to maintain high performance and safety standards.
  • Oversee the coordination and scheduling of veterinary care, preventive medicine, diagnostic testing, medical treatments, anesthetic protocols and emergency veterinary responses, ensuring clear communication between animal care staff and veterinary teams.
  • Manage the design, maintenance and improvement of animal enclosures, exhibits, holding areas and support infrastructure to meet species needs, biosecurity and visitor safety, collaborating with facilities, horticulture and exhibit design teams.
  • Administer collection planning and population management activities (e.g., breeding recommendations, transfers, ARKS/ZIMS recordkeeping) in accordance with Species Survival Plans (SSP), conservation breeding programs and institutional collection goals.
  • Plan and manage annual animal care budgets, forecasting for diets, veterinary supplies, enrichment materials, capital improvements and contingency funds; monitor expenditures and optimize resource allocation for cost-effective care.
  • Ensure institutional compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory frameworks (e.g., USDA/APHIS, local wildlife authorities, CITES, state permits) and lead preparation for inspections, licensing renewals and accreditation reviews (e.g., AZA, EAZA).
  • Develop and implement comprehensive biosecurity, quarantine and disease surveillance programs to reduce infectious disease risk across the collection and during animal transfers.
  • Establish and maintain rigorous record-keeping systems for animal health, husbandry, behavior, nutrition and reproductive events; analyze records to identify trends, inform management decisions and report metrics to leadership and stakeholders.
  • Lead or facilitate applied research projects and partnerships with academic institutions, conservation NGOs and government agencies; design study protocols, ensure compliance with animal care and use approvals, and translate results into improved husbandry practices.
  • Design and supervise animal enrichment and behavioral husbandry programs that reduce stress, promote species-typical behaviors, and enhance welfare metrics; evaluate program efficacy using behavioral and physiological indicators.
  • Coordinate animal acquisitions, dispositions, inter-institutional transfers and transport logistics—with attention to welfare, permits, quarantine and international regulations—to support population sustainability and institutional priorities.
  • Act as primary liaison with external partners, including conservation organizations, academic institutions, permitting authorities and veterinary specialists, to advance conservation breeding, reintroduction and research objectives.
  • Build, deliver and evaluate public education and outreach initiatives (keeper talks, behind-the-scenes tours, conservation messaging) that convey institutional conservation priorities and promote community engagement and donor support.
  • Lead emergency preparedness and response planning for animals and facilities—including evacuation protocols, containment plans, disaster recovery and continuity of care—and conduct regular drills with staff and partners.
  • Drive continuous improvement through audits, welfare assessments, risk analyses and implementation of corrective action plans; prepare clear, evidence-based reports for senior leadership and accreditation bodies.
  • Oversee inventory and procurement of species-appropriate diets, medical supplies, PPE and specialized equipment; negotiate vendor contracts and maintain supplier relationships to ensure uninterrupted care.
  • Supervise the integration and maintenance of animal management software and databases (e.g., ZIMS, ARKS, VetTrak), set data governance standards and ensure accurate, timely data entry and reporting.
  • Champion diversity, equity, inclusion and psychological safety within animal care teams; cultivate a culture of professionalism, collaboration and ethical animal stewardship.
  • Lead fundraising, grant writing and donor stewardship activities tied to animal care, conservation programs and facility improvements; prepare proposals, budgets and impact statements aligned with institutional strategy.

Secondary Functions

  • Support institutional strategic planning by contributing animal care and conservation perspectives to cross-functional initiatives (marketing, education, guest experience, fundraising).
  • Facilitate staff cross-training and capacity building programs to increase operational resilience and multi-disciplinary competency across shifts.
  • Analyze health and behavioral data to produce KPI dashboards and narrative reports for trustees, accreditation reviewers and external funders.
  • Provide technical and scientific input into exhibit development projects, interpretive content and guest-facing materials to enhance educational outcomes.
  • Manage volunteer and internship programs related to animal care, ensuring structured learning objectives, supervision and evaluation aligned with professional development goals.
  • Advise on ethical review and compliance processes for research and public programs involving animals; liaise with institutional animal care and use committees where applicable.
  • Contribute to community science and citizen engagement initiatives to gather ecological data, raise awareness, and expand conservation impact beyond the institution.
  • Participate in industry working groups, professional associations and continuing education to keep institutional practices current with advances in zoology, welfare science and conservation medicine.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Animal Husbandry & Species-Specific Care — demonstrated expertise in husbandry protocols for diverse taxa (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates) and ability to create species-appropriate management plans.
  • Veterinary Coordination & Preventive Medicine — skilled in coordinating veterinary diagnostics, treatment planning, anesthesia protocols and preventive health programs.
  • Population Management & Breeding Programs — practical experience with SSP/EEP-style population planning, studbook coordination and genetic management strategies.
  • Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation — working knowledge of USDA/APHIS, CITES, state wildlife permits and accreditation standards (e.g., AZA/EAZA) with experience preparing documentation and hosting inspections.
  • Biosecurity & Quarantine Management — ability to design and enforce quarantine procedures, disease surveillance systems and biosecurity SOPs.
  • Data Systems & Recordkeeping — proficiency with ZIMS, ARKS, VetTrak or equivalent animal management and medical record systems; strong data governance practices.
  • Budgeting & Financial Oversight — experience creating and managing departmental budgets, forecasting operational costs and tracking expenditures.
  • Project Management — proven capability to lead capital projects, exhibit upgrades, research studies or program rollouts using project management principles.
  • Research Methodology & Ethics — familiarity with experimental design, animal welfare assessment methods, permit processes and compliance with Institutional Animal Care and Use standards.
  • Nutrition Science & Diet Formulation — ability to assess dietary needs, manage procurement of specialized diets and work with nutritionists to create ration plans.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Team Development — effective people manager who mentors staff, resolves conflict and builds high-performing teams.
  • Communication & Stakeholder Engagement — strong verbal and written communication for briefing leadership, interacting with regulators, partners, donors and the public.
  • Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking — rapid, evidence-based decision making in routine and emergency situations.
  • Attention to Detail & Documentation — meticulous in recordkeeping, protocol adherence and audit readiness.
  • Public Presentation & Education — confident presenter for interpretive programs, media interactions and donor briefings.
  • Cultural Competence & Collaboration — works effectively across disciplines, cultures and organizations to drive conservation outcomes.
  • Resilience & Stress Management — capacity to lead during crises, staff shortages and high-pressure operational issues.
  • Adaptive Learning & Innovation — open to new science, technologies and welfare practices; encourages pilots and iterative improvement.
  • Ethical Judgment & Animal Welfare Advocacy — prioritizes animal well-being and ethical considerations in all operational choices.
  • Negotiation & Influence — able to secure resources, coordinate transfers with other institutions and influence cross-functional priorities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Animal Science, Ecology, Conservation Biology or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree or higher in Zoology, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Management, Animal Science, Veterinary Technology or related discipline; professional certifications (e.g., Certified Professional in Animal Care and Welfare) are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Zoology
  • Wildlife Biology
  • Animal Science
  • Conservation Biology
  • Ecology
  • Veterinary Technology
  • Animal Behavior / Ethology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5–10 years of progressively responsible animal care experience in a zoo, aquarium, wildlife sanctuary or field conservation program; at least 2–4 years in supervisory or managerial roles.

Preferred:

  • 7+ years managing multi-species collections, leading teams, administering budgets and coordinating veterinary and conservation programs.
  • Demonstrated experience with accreditation processes (AZA/EAZA), SSP/EEP participation, permit management (USDA/CITES) and use of animal management databases (ZIMS/ARKS).
  • Proven track record of implementing welfare improvements, leading conservation projects, and contributing to fundraising or grant-supported programs.
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