Conservation Manager International

About us

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world where nature is protected, valued and loved. Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are our gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature.

The role

To plan, organise, develop and manage aspects of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Conservation programmes project suite, with a particular focus on international field projects supported by RZSS.

The role is based within the RZSS Conservation Department at Edinburgh Zoo and will work with Conservation Project Officers, the Head of Department and other relevant stakeholders to deliver project objectives. You will have oversight of all international projects supported by RZSS and line management responsibility for the conservation project officers including those with staff with departmental support functions. You will support the Head of Department with monitoring and evaluation of the RZSS Conservation Strategy and liaises with stakeholders across RZSS to incorporate strategy monitoring and evaluation into conservation project work where relevant.

Some of the things you’ll do:

• In conjunction with the Head of Department, plans strategically for the long-term future of the programme of international RZSS supported projects. May have to manage competing strategic priorities.
• Support on the design and/or delivery of key conservation projects in line with department/strategic objectives.
• Responsible for the management of all international project support activities.
• Collaborates with project partners and coordinates volunteers, researchers, and external contractors when needed.
• Represents RZSS Conservation (and demonstrates the core values of RZSS) at external meetings and communicates regularly with the public, a range of stakeholders and other relevant organisations.
• Responsible for collection, handling and analysis of scientific monitoring data and storage systems where needed.
• Responsible for oversight of monitoring and evaluation data for the RZSS Conservation Strategy
• Manage, motivate, develop and review team members, following good management practice and working within HR policy guidelines, so their performance meets or exceeds performance standards.

What we’re looking for:

• Academic qualification (min BSc) in science, conservation or equivalent.
• Sufficient scientific knowledge to manage the design, implementation and dissemination of conservation research projects across ex-situ, in-situ and reintroduction disciplines.
• Detailed knowledge of field monitoring techniques and data management following best practice guidance.
• Managing project budgets often in line with funder requirements with many complex and variable components.
• Ability to manage and communicate technical elements of field monitoring techniques and analysis and breeding programme management.
• Ability to lead and manage projects in terms of financial, safety and reputational risks.

What you’ll get in return:

• Starting pro-rated salary of £41,621 or £42,662 (offer based on experience).
• 37.5 hour working week (may require some weekend working)
• 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
• Access to a healthcare plan. Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), that provide 24-hour counselling and support, including health, legal, finance, wellbeing and family advice
• You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo.

Please Note: This position is a fixed term role specifically to cover maternity leave. It is anticipated to last for approximately 12 months, or until the substantive post-holder returns, whichever is earlier.

Interview date: Week commencing 19th October 2026

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate’s right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure check. Please note that shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live. The advert will close once a successful candidate has been found. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications, as soon as possible. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010.

We offer a range of great benefits which you can read about here.