Jobs

Fota Wildlife Park a not-for-profit organisation, is part of the Zoological Society of Ireland, and is located on 100 acres at Fota Island 10km east of Cork City. With an annual attendance of 430,000 visitors, our vision is to inspire people to understand and conserve the biodiversity of our natural world. The Park’s core values of conservation, education and research have ensured that we are uniquely placed to foster greater public understanding of the threats to plant and animal habitats and decreasing global biodiversity.

Fota Wildlife Park has made considerable investment in the past 10 years upgrading its infrastructure including an indoor Giraffe viewing area, the Madagascan Village and the Asian Sanctuary which opened in 2015 and features Asian lions, Sumatran tigers, and Indian rhino.

Current open vacancies - 

• Animal Care and Conservation Manager
• Retail Assistant Supervisor
• Business Development & Events Executive

 

Animal Care and Conservation Manager

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and values-driven Animal Care and Conservation Manager to join Fota Wildlife Park’s Senior Management Team. Reporting directly to the Park Director, this is a compelling opportunity for an experienced zoological professional ready to take on operational and strategic leadership of our animal collection at a pivotal moment in Fota’s development.

• You will lead a team of animal care professionals, carrying day-to-day operational accountability for the collection alongside a genuine strategic brief: shaping Fota’s conservation science identity, contributing to European breeding programmes, and helping to define what this organisation can become.

Key Responsibilities

The role spans four interconnected areas of accountability:

Animal Collection and Welfare

• Lead all aspects of animal husbandry, welfare assessment and veterinary liaison to the highest standards.
• Maintain and develop the Institutional Species Collection Plan and drive continuous improvement in welfare outcomes.
• Oversee animal training, enrichment and habitat development in line with the strategic plan.
  

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Take primary ownership of H&S leadership across all animal care activities, ensuring a robust safety culture and full compliance with Irish and EU legislation and EAZA accreditation standards.
• Develop and maintain H&S policies, risk assessments and safe systems of work, and lead incident investigation and corrective action processes.

Conservation Science and Research

• Lead the development of Fota’s conservation strategy and grow the Park’s research and conservation science profile.
• Coordinate EEP participation and other international species management programmes and develop research partnerships with academic institutions.
• Provide leadership for Fota’s native species recovery work, including programmes with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Leadership and People Management

• Lead, develop and performance-manage a team of 20+staff, including rota management and all people operations within the department.
• Act as Duty Manager on a rostered basis, including weekend cover, providing senior operational leadership across the Park.
• Manage animal care and conservation budgets and represent Fota credibly at regional, national and international forums.

 

What we are looking for:

• A master’s degree or above in zoology, veterinary medicine or a related discipline; PhD or conservation science postgraduate qualification highly desirable.
• A minimum of ten years’ experience in animal collection management within an EAZA accredited zoological organisation or equivalent.
• A proven track record in people leadership and performance management of a substantial 
• Demonstrable H&S leadership experience in a zoological or complex operational setting.
• Experience in conservation science research, including EEP participation, publications or species recovery programmes.
• Sound financial management skills and proficiency in ZIMS and EAZA accreditation frameworks.
• A genuine, demonstrable commitment to conservation as both a science and a mission.

 

Practical details:

This is a full-time permanent role of 39 hours per week, including participation in the senior duty manager rota which includes weekend cover. The successful candidate will be required to live within reasonable commuting distance of Fota Wildlife Park. A full, valid driving licence is required. A competitive salary commensurate with experience will be offered.

A full job description is available on request.

Online Applications Only - Apply with PDF CV and Cover Letter here. 

 

Closing Date: Wednesday 25th March 2026

 

Vacancy for a Retail Assistant Supervisor at Fota Wildlife Park

The Role

An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual as Retail Assistant Supervisor to deputise leading the retail team.

This is an opportunity to join our team at a pivotal time as our gift shop is being refurbished and expanded. This role offers the chance to be part of a refreshed retail space and significantly contribute to supporting our vision of inspiring people to understand and conserve the biodiversity of our natural world.

This is a full-time permanent role.

Primary Responsibilities:

Retail Experience & Brand Alignment

• Ensure the Gift Shop aligns with Fota Wildlife Park’s ethos of sustainability and an immersive wildlife experience, while maximising its functionality and visitor appeal.
• Work closely with management, suppliers and other stakeholders to source engaging, ethically produced merchandise suitable for a family-focused attraction.
• To actively promote Fota Wildlife Park’s commitment to high standards of service, ethical purchasing, and promotion of sustainability in the product choice and POS displays.

 

Visual Merchandising & Display Standards

• Devise, plan, manage and control the stock layout and appearance of the Gift Shop to best enhance Fota Wildlife Park’s brand values, including visual zoning, use of focal points, and seasonal feature areas.
• Curate attractive in-store displays that reflect Fota Wildlife Park’s conservation values and encourage impulse and educational purchases.
• Ensure consistency with visual merchandising standards and signage.
• Collaborate with the marketing and events teams to align merchandising with campaigns, school holidays, and special events at the park.
• Including visual concepts for window displays, point of sale and themed displays.

 

Product, Stock & Commercial Management

• Plan and manage stock levels across the Gift Shop, ensuring strong product availability during peak visitor seasons while minimising overstock and stock loss.
• Monitor the performance of products, ranges, and seasonal promotions, providing clear insights and recommendations to improve sales and margin.
• Analyse visitor purchasing behaviour and sales trends to develop merchandising strategies that drive revenue while enhancing the guest experience.
• Keep abreast of competitor attractions and Irish retail trends, adjusting pricing, product mix, and promotions to remain competitive.
• Assisting with analysis to make recommendations to management to support commercial decisions.
• To assist the retail function to drive sales ensuring targets and KPIs are achieved, such as stock loss, health & safety compliance and mystery shopper results.

 Operational Support & Leadership

• Assist the Retail Supervisor in all areas of running the retail units including back-office admin, rostering and training staff, efficient stock ordering and shop displays.
• To deputise for the supervisor in all aspects of supervising and managing the retail team.
• Clear and effective communications with team, senior management and suppliers.

Customer Experience

•  To provide excellent customer service and act as a great role model for staff.

Candidate Requirements:

• Have a minimum of two years retail merchandising supervisory/management experience.
• Strong merchandising skills and training
• Excellent customer service skills
• Experience in stock management and EPOS systems
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the natural ability to motivate
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages and a working knowledge of retail computerised management and control systems

 Please apply with a pdf of your CV and covering letter via this online form

The closing date for receipt of applications is 30th March 2026

Fota Wildlife Park is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committer to cultivating an inclusive work enviornment and look for team members who share the same values.

 

Fill out my online form.

  

Business Development & Events Executive

Education, Conservation & Research Centre (ECRC)

Location - Fota Wildlife Park, Cork
1-year Fixed Term Contract

 

About Fota Wildlife Park

Fota Wildlife Park, part of the Zoological Society of Ireland, is located on 100 acres at Fota Island 10km east of Cork City and has an annual attendance of 440,000 visitors We are a non-profit organisation, limited by guarantee, and is also a registered charity. 

Fota Wildlife Park also financially supports and donates vital resources to conservation projects in Ireland and abroad such as the Breeding Waders EIP Project for curlew, the natterjack toad head starter programme and the western black crested gibbon conservation - to name a few.

Fota Wildlife Park opened to the public in June 1983 and recently celebrated four decades of Conservation in Action by completing the sustainably built, Education, Conservation and Research Centre, co-funded by the Government via the OPW. 

The Opportunity

Fota Wildlife Park is seeking an ambitious and commercially driven Business Development & Events Executive to establish the Education, Conservation & Research Centre (ECRC) as a distinctive corporate venue and a premier location for conferences, events, meetings and VIP experiences.

This is a newly created role with significant growth potential. You will lead corporate sales and event delivery for the ECRC, developing partnerships, securing bookings, and delivering exceptional experiences that directly support Fota Wildlife Park’s conservation mission.

You will work closely with internal departments (e.g. marketing, gates, education, animal care, operations and finance) and external partners (catering partners, vendors, sponsors, community organisations, network colleagues) to deliver successful events and act as a key ambassador for Fota Wildlife Park.

Key Responsibilities 

Business Development & Sales

• Identify and secure corporate clients for conferences, events, and venue hire
• Build and manage a strong pipeline across corporate, public sector, NGO, and membership networks
• Develop tailored ESG-aligned corporate packages and partnerships 
• Represent Fota Wildlife Park at industry and networking events
• Develop and manage budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness while delivering high-quality experiences for clients. 

Events Planning & Delivery

• Plan and deliver corporate events, family event days, conferences, and team-building programmes
• Manage events from enquiry to post-event follow-up
• Coordinate VIP wildlife experiences with Education and Gates Team
• Liaise with catering and external partners/vendors to ensure exceptional delivery of events and programmes
• Support the running of internal events, trainings and meetings 

Venue & Booking Systems

• Lead implementation of an internal booking system for event spaces
• Coordinate room setup, AV, and all logistics for events
• Maintain high standards across all ECRC facilities 

Collaboration & Brand Alignment

• Work within the Marketing Department to promote ECRC offerings
• Ensure all events and experiences reflect Fota Wildlife Park’s mission and brand
• Support strategic positioning of the ECRC in the corporate market

About You

Essential

• Experience in business development, sales, events, or venue management
• Proven ability to generate and convert commercial opportunities
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills Strong relationship building and communication skills. Excellent presentation skills
• Proven track record in planning and delivering of professional events
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Proactive, self-motivated, and commercially minded
• Comfortable using booking, or event systems 

Desirable

• Experience in tourism, hospitality, or attractions sector
• Knowledge of ESG or corporate sustainability trends
• Experience developing partnerships or sponsorships
• Interest in conservation or environmental sustainability

Why join Fota Wildlife Park?

• Work in one of Ireland’s most inspiring natural environment
• Be part of a mission-driven conservation organisation and visitor destination
• Shape the growth of a landmark sustainable education and events venue
• Collaborate across conservation, education, and commercial teams
• Make a tangible impact supporting wildlife conservation 

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Applications via online below, pdf attachments preferred. 
Closing date: 15/03/26

 

Fill out my online form.