General Curator

Role overview

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve in Kent is looking for a senior curator to lead animal collection management across the reserve. This is a newly created, permanent full-time position with a salary of up to £38,500 depending on experience, plus desirable benefits. Onsite accommodation may be available, subject to occupancy.

The closing date for applications is 14th Jul 2026. The role is based at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve and reports to the Animal Collections Manager. Occasional travel to Howletts Wild Animal Park may be required.

What the role involves

This leadership role sits within the Animal Department and carries responsibility for both strategic oversight and the day-to-day running of the animal collection. The aim is to maintain exceptional standards of welfare, husbandry, and compliance while contributing to wider conservation goals.

Working alongside the Animal Collections Manager, Veterinary Department, Animal Records team, and Section Heads, the General Curator oversees animal transfers, quarantine, record management, breeding plans, and placement of surplus animals. The post also leads on capture, transport, and veterinary support procedures, contributes to preventative healthcare, and takes charge during emergencies. In the absence of the Animal Collections Manager, this role acts as deputy to help maintain continuity of leadership.

As a senior people leader, the General Curator will guide and support Section Heads and animal teams, encouraging a professional culture built around welfare and high standards. The position includes recruitment, onboarding, training, coaching, performance management, rota planning, and staff wellbeing support, alongside leading change across the organisation.

The role also contributes to the planning, design, and delivery of new enclosures and refurbishment projects, taking responsibility from initial proposal through to completion. In addition, the post supports visitor engagement and education through talks, guided tours, VIP experiences, and external representation. Administrative and financial duties include supporting budgets, strategic planning, correspondence, and serving as Person Responsible when needed.

About the organisation

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is a renowned wildlife reserve spread across 600 acres of Kent countryside. It is home to rare and endangered species and combines conservation work with safari experiences, animal encounters, luxury stays, and dining. Staff are part of hands-on conservation work that has supported the return of animals such as black rhinos and western lowland gorillas to the wild through collaboration with The Aspinall Foundation.

Candidate profile

The organisation is seeking a highly experienced and driven animal management professional with at least five years in a leadership position within a zoological or wildlife collection, such as deputy curator, head of section, or a similar senior post. Experience managing and developing teams, making strategic decisions, and overseeing animal welfare and collection management across a range of species, including large mammals, is essential.

Applicants must have a valid UK driving licence that allows manual vehicles. Experience handling departmental or operational budgets, working within financial limits, and solving operational challenges is also required. The ideal candidate will have broad leadership experience, including logistics, staff development, and delivery of new initiatives, as well as experience stepping into a senior deputy role such as supporting an Animal Collections Manager.

A degree or equivalent professional experience in zoology, conservation, or an animal-related field is required. The successful applicant should also have strong knowledge of global conservation issues, welfare standards, and relevant regulations, and be someone who works well with others, adapts easily, and leads with professionalism and integrity.

Working pattern

This is a full-time role of 40 hours per week, working five days out of seven. Weekend and bank holiday working is included. Standard working hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, with a 60-minute unpaid lunch break. A flexible attitude to working hours is essential in an animal-care environment.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Benefits

The package includes 28 days of annual leave including bank holidays, with entitlement increasing by length of service and adjusted pro-rata for start date and hours worked. Additional benefits include access to training and development such as workshops and e-learning, enhanced sickness, maternity, and paternity policies, unlimited free entry for the employee and a chosen guest to both parks, friends and family tickets, strong discounts on food, retail, and accommodation, a range of retail savings, access to a 24-hour counselling line through the Healthy Extras Scheme, a company pension, and further service-related rewards.

Application details

To apply, candidates should email a full CV and covering letter to recruitment@howlettsandportlympne.com. The organisation notes that the vacancy may close early if a high number of applications is received. A full job description is available on request.

Additional information

Sector: Management. Type: Paid. Contract type: Full-time.

Core values mentioned by the organisation are One Team, Customer, and Pride.

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