Animal Care Manager

About Us

We are a dedicated organization focused on ensuring the health, safety, welfare, and well-being of animals in our care. Our team collaborates across Veterinary Services, Animal Care, Operations, Facilities, Conservation, Education, Compliance, and Executive Leadership to uphold exceptional care standards while promoting animal welfare, enrichment, and responsible stewardship.

Position Overview

We seek a seasoned Animal Care Manager to lead animal care operations, welfare programs, and husbandry practices throughout our organization. This role involves overseeing day-to-day animal care activities, ensuring adherence to welfare standards, managing care teams, and continuously enhancing programs to support animal health and safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement animal care strategies, welfare initiatives, husbandry standards, operational procedures, and care protocols aligned with organizational goals and best practices.
• Supervise daily animal care functions including feeding, habitat upkeep, enrichment activities, behavioral monitoring, health checks, and welfare evaluations.
• Work closely with Veterinary Services, Facilities Management, Operations, Conservation, Education, Compliance, Procurement, and Leadership teams to maintain outstanding animal care quality.
• Develop and uphold animal welfare policies, standard operating procedures, emergency action plans, biosecurity measures, and safety protocols.
• Track animal health, behavior, nutrition, habitat conditions, breeding programs, and enrichment success to ensure optimal welfare.
• Facilitate compliance with regulations, veterinary guidelines, accreditation standards, conservation mandates, and internal policies.
• Monitor KPIs related to health outcomes, welfare assessments, habitat standards, enrichment effectiveness, regulatory adherence, incident rates, and operational efficiency.
• Coordinate preventive health programs, vet treatments, quarantine processes, rehabilitation, and disease prevention efforts.
• Manage budgets, resource distribution, inventory, procurement of feed/supplies, and vendor relations.
• Conduct welfare audits, facility inspections, risk assessments, and drive continuous improvement for high care standards.
• Utilize animal management systems, record-keeping software, Microsoft Office, Power BI, inventory platforms, and reporting tools to oversee care activities and produce actionable reports.
• Prepare welfare reports, dashboards, compliance documents, executive presentations, and strategic advice for senior leaders.
• Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, keepers, technicians, and support staff fostering a culture of compassion, accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Zoology, Veterinary Science, Wildlife Management, Animal Behavior, Biology, Agriculture, or related disciplines.
• Advanced degrees or professional certifications in Animal Welfare, Veterinary Management, Zoological Management, Wildlife Conservation, or similar fields are beneficial.
• At least 5 years of experience in animal care, veterinary support, zoological operations, livestock management, wildlife conservation, or animal welfare roles.
• Minimum of 2 years managing animal care teams, welfare programs, or animal facility operations preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of animal husbandry, welfare standards, nutrition, enrichment, behavior, biosecurity, health monitoring, and facility management.
• Experience with animal management systems, veterinary recordkeeping software, inventory platforms, Microsoft Office, Power BI, and reporting tools.
• Awareness of veterinary procedures, conservation efforts, breeding management, accreditation requirements, occupational safety, and environmental management advantageous.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational skills, stakeholder management, training ability, analytical thinking, and problem-solving aptitude.
• Capability to juggle multiple animal care programs, adhering to animal welfare, regulatory compliance, operational demands, budgets, and organizational priorities.
• Self-driven with ability to operate effectively in remote/hybrid settings for planning and administrative tasks, with the flexibility to support on-site care, emergencies, and welfare activities as needed.

Benefits

• Flexible remote/hybrid work arrangement within the United Arab Emirates for administrative tasks.
• Competitive salary package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership in animal welfare.
• Exposure to innovations in animal care, welfare enhancement programs, conservation projects, and operational excellence.
• A collaborative culture centered on compassion, accountability, safety, animal welfare, and continual progress.
• The chance to make a significant contribution to the health, welfare, and quality of life for animals, promoting ethical and responsible care practices.