Full time
On-site
Brugelette
Head Keeper
Pairi Daiza is much more than a Park: it is The Garden of Worlds. Every day, thousands of visitors come here to experience something truly unique. Animals, nature, architecture, human cultures… everything comes together here. But what truly makes the difference is our people, who are committed to keeping this living heart beating.
Today, we are looking for an exceptional individual to join and strengthen our Zoological Department.
As a Head Keeper, you will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing several animal care areas: the Australia sector, the Chinese World & Marsh, as well as the Mini-Farm and the Birds of Prey Village. You will ensure the well-being of the animals and the smooth day-to-day organization of the teams.
Your responsibilities
Team management and coordination: You will lead, coach and support your team of animal keepers. You will organize their work, train and develop team members, lead team meetings and conduct performance reviews, providing constructive feedback to support their professional development and well-being.
Animal welfare: You will ensure that all animals under your responsibility are kept in an environment that meets the highest standards of animal welfare and safety.
Care and feeding management: You will monitor feeding regimes, ensure the medical follow-up of the animals in collaboration with the veterinary team, and guarantee compliance with established care protocols.
Operational supervision: You will ensure the proper organization of daily tasks, the maintenance of facilities and compliance with hygiene and safety regulations.
Continuous improvement: You will actively contribute ideas and initiatives to optimize procedures, habitat design and animal welfare.
HR and administrative management: You will be responsible for the administrative follow-up of your team, including schedules, timekeeping and leave management. You will participate in recruitment interviews and manage staffing requirements in consultation with the Zoological Management team.
Collaboration and representation: You will work closely with other departments, including Communications, Human Resources and Zoological Management, and represent Pairi Daiza at international events.
The profile we are looking for
Experience and qualifications: You have at least 5 years of experience in a similar role and/or hold a degree or qualification in animal care or an equivalent field.
Animal expertise: You have excellent knowledge of the animals under your responsibility and are fully familiar with animal care and safety protocols.
Management skills: You are an attentive and supportive leader and a true coach for your team. You know how to motivate and develop your colleagues, while also being able to provide appropriate guidance, address issues constructively and manage conflicts with sound judgment. You are also comfortable with planning and administrative follow-up.
Team development: You know how to delegate effectively and support your colleagues in their professional development and progression.
Continuous improvement: You are eager to innovate and optimize existing practices.
Managing complex situations: You remain calm, responsive and proactive when facing the challenges of daily operations, whether dealing with an emergency situation or a conflict within the team.
Organization and solution-oriented mindset: Your thoroughness and structured approach enable you to organize work efficiently and effectively.
Languages: You have a good command of both French and English. Dutch is an asset.
Why join us?
We offer you a unique and inspiring working environment at the heart of our Zoological Department, where every day brings new and enriching discoveries.
You will have the opportunity to contribute to the administrative management of our team and our animals, playing a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of our department.
If you recognize yourself in this profile and are ready to take on this exciting challenge, we would be delighted to receive your application.
Join us and become part of this exceptional adventure!
Number of hours per week
Full time
Job location
Domaine de Cambron, 7940 Brugelette, Belgique
About us
Pairi Daiza is an unrivalled zoological garden, whether as a day-trip destination or as a holiday destination.
Nearly 2.3 million people visit Pairi Daiza every year. Spanning 75 hectares, Pairi Daiza captures the beauty of the landscape while evoking the spirituality of its peoples. The enchanted Animal Kingdom is home to over 7,500 animals of 800 species, including 5 giant pandas and 20 elephants. But also thousands of rare plants and stones, as well as authentic buildings and handicrafts.
The combination of authentic buildings, flora and fauna immerses visitors in China, Indonesia, Benin, Togo, Antarctica, Australia, Northern Europe and Canada. These worlds have been recreated with respect for the arts and crafts of these regions and civilizations.
Pairi Daiza is a committed company that takes concrete action to protect and conserve species. Outside its walls, the Pairi Paiza Foundation is very active in favor of endangered species and their habitats.
Since 2018, Pairi Daiza has set itself the goal of being 100% green between 2030 and 2032.
