Vice President, Animal Behaviour

Mandai Wildlife Group is the steward of Mandai Wildlife Reserve, located adjacent to Singapore’s Central Catchment Nature Reserve, is a fully integrated nature-based precinct comprising five world-class wildlife parks, immersive green public spaces, and a sustainably designed eco-friendly resort. We are seeking a self-driven and energetic individual to lead and inspire the development of ethical, engaging, and educational animal behavior and presentation programs that align with the organization’s mission of conservation, education, and ethical engagement. This role promotes wildlife-friendly mindsets through meaningful human-animal interactions, grounded in positive reinforcement training, animal welfare, and conservation ethics. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Operations & Administration Provide strategic oversight and executive leadership for the ABP department, including stewardship of organisational structure, workforce planning, and fiscal governance. Drive alignment of departmental structure and resources with corporate objectives, ensuring operational excellence and long‑term sustainability. Oversee strategic financial planning and governance for the department, ensuring optimal allocation of operational and capital resources to support long‑term institutional priorities. Provide leadership in safeguarding animal welfare, operational integrity, and guest experience by maintaining high‑level visibility and responsiveness to emergent issues across health, safety, and show management domains. Foster a culture of accountability and alignment by maintaining structured communication within and across divisions and departments, ensuring policy adherence and the continuous refinement of documented procedures in support of organisational excellence. 2. Animal Care, Training, and Enrichment Ensure that the highest standards of animal care are practiced in ABP including feeding, cleaning, and monitoring animal health. Champion positive reinforcement training and behavioural enrichment practices. Guide Managers in the implementation of the PRT Track to ensure that all staff are properly trained in positive reinforcement techniques and apply these techniques exclusively in daily operations, husbandry and veterinary procedures, and show behaviour training. Ensure that managers oversee the ABP enrichment programme, providing regular and frequent species‑appropriate enrichment for every animal in the collection. 3. Animal Programmes & Presentations Oversee all live animal programs across attractions, ensuring world‑class standards of animal care and welfare for all ABP animals. Curate and produce programs that foster empathy, respect, and understanding of wildlife. Ensure integrated and appropriate theming across all presentations consistent with the purpose, vision and values of MWG. Champion excellence in visitor engagement by strategically evaluating the quality of animal presentations and the impact of educational storytelling. Ensure that every experience not only captivates and entertains but also deepens conservation awareness and inspires meaningful post‑visit action and behavioural change. Evaluate program success through guest feedback, animal welfare metrics, and staff development outcomes. 4. Animal Welfare Champion animal welfare related initiatives at the Life Science level in collaboration with the Animal Welfare Scientific Advisory Group (AWSAG). Oversee the implementation and maintenance of high standards of animal welfare practices for all animals in ABP, ensuring compliance with international welfare standards (e.g., AZA, EAZA, WAZA) via regular assessments and audits. Collaborate with external partners and accredited zoos to share best practices. Assume a leadership role in advocacy efforts to promote ethical animal handling practices and awareness about animal welfare issues within MWG and the zoo community at both regional and global platforms. Prepare for and participate in accreditation audits with relevant zoological associations to maintain our accreditation status. 5. Research Initiatives Lead and/or collaborate with other departments in the design, conduct, analyses and dissemination of original animal welfare research that supports MWG’s animal welfare outcomes. Provide guidance and opportunities for staff skills development in planning, designing, and implementing behavioural research projects, and in the analysis of data and production of research papers for publication. 6. Animal Population Planning Identify appropriate ambassador animals for public engagement that meet the criteria included in Ambassador Animal Policy. Ensure consistent availability of suitable animals for presentations through internal breeding programs and external ethical sources. Oversee the effort in developing and implementing population management strategies for species managed by the ABP department. Ensure alignment with MWG’s overall animal collection planning efforts as well as ensuring steady pipeline of appropriate ambassador animals for our programmes to deliver memorable wildlife experiences. Lead conservation education initiatives and support species recovery efforts. 7. Training & People Development Provide leadership in department development, overseeing a diverse team of full‑time, part‑time, and contract professionals to ensure alignment with the ABP’s strategic goals and operational excellence. Champion a culture of high performance and continuous learning by mentoring and empowering trainers, presenters, and specialists to deliver exceptional outcomes in animal care, behavioural management, and guest engagement. Drive strategic capability‑building initiatives to enhance staff proficiency in behavioural management, husbandry, medical care, and presentation standards—ensuring best‑in‑class practices across all facets of animal operations. Lead competency development frameworks, including oversight of the Animal Presentation Development Programme (APDP), to assess, elevate, and benchmark staff capabilities in alignment with departmental and organizational objectives. Ensure robust supervision and mentorship structures are in place for behavioural research activities, including the effective engagement of interns, students, and volunteers in meaningful learning and contribution pathways. Cultivate leadership excellence and succession readiness by developing managerial talent, fostering strategic thinking, and preparing future leaders to sustain and evolve the department’s mission and impact. 8. Internal and External Collaborations Lead and participate in collaborative efforts with other departments, e.g. Animal Care, Veterinary Health, to enhance animal welfare, deliver outstanding guest experience and support research, conservation and education outcomes. JOB REQUIREMENTS Holds a degree in Animal Management, Zoology, or a related life sciences discipline, with a deep‑rooted commitment to advancing animal welfare and conservation. Brings 12—15 years of progressive experience in animal management, behaviour, training, and presentation production — demonstrating a career marked by innovation, impact, and continuous growth. Has served in senior leadership roles for at least 3—5 years, ideally within internationally accredited zoological institutions or conservation organisations, with a proven ability to lead with purpose and integrity. Demonstrates visionary leadership in team development, fostering a culture of ethical care, collaboration, and high performance. Driven by a genuine passion for animals, combined with strategic foresight to design and develop transformative programmes that elevate standards and inspire change. Brings deep, hands‑on expertise in animal management and welfare leadership, consistently championing the highest standards of care, enrichment, and ethical practice to ensure optimal outcomes for both animals and teams. Excels in stakeholder engagement, building trusted relationships across all levels of internal and external partners to advance shared goals. Has a deep understanding of conservation education, regulatory frameworks, and the ability to translate policy into meaningful practice. Highly proficient in ambassador animal welfare and management, with the insight to lead complex initiatives that balance education, ethics, and guest experience. Communicates with clarity and influence—bringing exceptional written, verbal, and problem‑solving skills to every challenge and opportunity. #J-18808-Ljbffr