Assistant Vice President, Animal Welfare

Advertised on: 29 Jul 2025_
Mandai Wildlife Group is the steward of Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a unique wildlife and nature destination in Singapore that is home to world-renown wildlife parks which connect visitors to the fascinating world of wildlife. The Group is driving an exciting rejuvenation plan at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, adjacent to Singapore’s Central Catchment Nature Reserve, that will integrate five wildlife parks with distinctive nature-based experiences, green public spaces and an eco-friendly resort.
- **Responsibilities**:

Animal Welfare Leadership and Policy Management and Implementation
Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a science-based MWG animal welfare strategy, integrating the Five Domains model and aligning with EAZA/ZAA/SEAZA accreditation standards.
- Oversight & Governance: Chair and organise the internal animal welfare working group and provide secretarial support for Animal Welfare & Ethics Committee (AWEC), ensuring robust review and endorsement of welfare-related initiatives.
- Policy & Frameworks: Develop and evolve MWG’s Animal Welfare Master Plan, Policy, Operational Standards, and Assessment Frameworks.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team to achieve animal welfare and corporate goals. Provide guidance, coaching, and regular performance feedback to support individual growth and team effectiveness.
Animal Welfare Management
Cross-departmental Collaboration: Work closely with and support Animal Behaviour and Programmes, Animal Care (Ops), Veterinary Health and other teams to embed welfare principles and practices across operations.
- Training & Capacity Building: Lead staff development in welfare competencies, including welfare assessment, enrichment, behavioural management, and ethical decision-making.
- Monitoring & Reporting: Oversee welfare assessments, audits, and reporting mechanisms to ensure validity, transparency and accountability.
Advancing Animal Welfare Science
Animal welfare research support and execution: Lead and facilitate research initiatives focused on animal welfare across MWG parks. Ensure alignment with latest animal science, global best practices and contribute to the development of evidence-based welfare practices.
- External organisational collaboration: Develop and foster strong partnerships with key external stakeholders including academic institutions and global zoo networks and access external resources to complement internal resources to advance animal welfare science.
- Presentation and publication of findings and best practices: Disseminate research outcomes and welfare innovations through professional presentations, conferences, and peer-reviewed publications.

**Job Requirements**:

- Advanced degree in Animal Welfare, Veterinary Science, Zoology, or related field of study
- Minimum 10 years of experience in animal welfare leadership, preferably in accredited zoological institutions.
- Proven track record in strategic planning, policy development, and cross-functional leadership.
- Familiarity with accreditation standards (EAZA, ZAA, AZA) and welfare assessment methodologies.
- Strategic thinking, ethical judgment, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven evaluation.
- Engaged in animal welfare research and publications.
- Passion for wildlife and conservation.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
- Specialization**
**Administration / Support Function
Type of Employment**
**Permanent
Minimum Experience**
**Not Required
Work Location**
**Bird Paradise