JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
ZSL Interpretation Developer
SECTION: Engagement and Interpretation
DEPARTMENT: Communications
DIVISION: Commercial and Communication
RESPONSIBLE TO: Manager of Engagement and Interpretation
PARTICIPATING JOB HOLDER(S):
APPROVED BY:
JOB HOLDER(S):
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OR DIRECTOR: Commercial & Communications Director
JOB DESCRIPTION REFERENCE NUMBER:
GRADE ALLOCATED: 5.0
JOB EVALUATION REVIEW HISTORY AND EXPLANATORY NOTES:
JOB DESCRIPTION / MAIN PURPOSE
Manage and lead the design and delivery of major interpretation projects and smaller
audience-faced initiatives across ZSL.
The postholder will be accountable for the design and development of projects by:
 Designing the visitor experience of ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo by
developing innovative and engaging environments, interactive exhibits and learning
opportunities, including live interpretation, ensuring ZSL leads the field in zoo
interpretation
 Being the visitor advocate in projects,
 Carrying out rigorous, accurate research to support the overall concept of projects,
the development of the intellectual content and the delivery of the content in various
media
 Developing the vision, aims and learning objective, frameworks
 Administering a process of consultation, research, creative workshops and feasibility
work to establish a detailed proposal
 Producing creative briefs and deliver creative solutions to build innovative and visitorfacing interpretation programmes
 Directly working with other stakeholders in the society, including the directorate
 Aiding in the concept stages of discovery and learning led events in the society
The postholder will be accountable for the delivering of projects by:
 Delivering projects on time and in budget, with a value up to £4m, of which the
postholder will be responsible for an interpretation budget of up to £400,000
 Creating budget proposals for projects
 Working as part of a cross-departmental project team to deliver capital projects
 Effectively project managing interpretation elements of exhibits, including developing
programmes, budgets and managing risk
 Ensuring departmental standards are met for graphics and interpretation on both
sites, overseeing or arranging maintenance as required and establishing systems for
monitoring
 Devising briefs and tender to multiple contractors
 Managing the delivery of interpretation
 Having knowledge of health and safety requirements for public-facing interpretation
and exhibit spaces, ensuring contractors adhere to this.
 Developing projects with accessibility (DDA) best design practice in mind
The post holder will critically further the mission of ZSL by:
 Delivering innovative interpretation that will directly impact on visitor figures and
satisfaction
 Contributing as required to other interpretive work including creative input to
colleagues’ projects, contributing to live events delivery, policy development or any
other activity deemed suitable by the Head of Communications
 Aiding and originating interpretation ideas which have funding (development)
opportunities
 Being an ambassador of ZSL’s mission statement, brand and all aspects of ZSL’s
work
 Keeping up to date with the latest developments in informal learning, design and
visitor attractions to ensure best practice
 Acting as a communication consultant for society wide issues, such as future plans,
retail, communication and marketing departments.
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JOB DESCRIPTION ANALYSIS
A.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
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EXPERIENCE
 Extensive experience of interpretation development covering varied
media essential (graphical, digital, broadcast, physical)
 Experience of commissioning external work and managing contractors
from commission to installation
 Experience of practical aspects of interpretation or exhibit work, i.e.
signage or exhibit mounting techniques
 Broad experience of informal learning in an attractions environment
essential
 Experience of developing and delivering different types of exhibit:
permanent, temporary, touring, live interpretation
 Experience of communicating to a non-specialist audience: script writing
for graphics, shows, web and broadcast
 Experience of audience research; designing and delivering evaluation
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B.
VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SKILLS
Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent critical skills
based on experience
Experience or study of a relevant subject an advantage (animal biology,
zoology, veterinary medicine etc or museum studies, educational or
communication discipline)
Project management skills
Knowledge of health and safety practice
Knowledge of exhibit development code of practice, i.e. trained in developing
and delivering exhibitions from vision through to installation and snagging
Knowledge of learning styles framework and using the national curriculum as
a framework for informal learning
Good understanding of attraction audiences
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
High levels of persuasiveness and excellent presentation skills are required
daily to sell concepts to internal and external stakeholders at all levels, from
Directors to major donors.
Ability to establish good relationships with colleagues, communicate
effectively during the development process, implementing change
The role will require the postholder to be an advocate for practises and
innovations new to ZSL; a high level of sensitivity is therefore required and
the postholder will need to gain the trust of stakeholders
Required to negotiate with partners and internally on issues that will have
implications for resource and/or project success.
RESPONSIBILITY
1.
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
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C.
The postholder will directly lead and manage multiple consultants and
contractors, including, freelance researchers, writers, fabricators and subjectexperts design teams.
On major projects this can involve 10-15 separate contractors, on smaller
projects 4-5 contractors.
During the delivery of a project this aspect takes up the majority of the
working week.
The quality of work needs to be strictly monitored to ensure high intellectual
and physical standards are met on time and in budget.
Requires direct supervision of some contractors, can be out of core hours
PHYSICAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Create budgets based on proposal for submission to project team and line
managers.
Responsible for the allocation and spend of interpretive budgets of up to
£400k as part of major multi-million pound site projects, across ZSL London
and Whipsnade Zoos
Care of interpretation equipment i.e. audio visual, printers, interactives
Ensuring interpretation is in working order
Work directly impacts on enclosure design and interacts with existing
enclosures – work with keeping staff to minimise disruption
Responsibility for ensuring interpretation is of robust build, meeting health and
safety standards, commissioning external testing when required.
COMMUNICATION
The main purpose of this role is to communicate. From audience
communication of key ZSL messages to stakeholder communication of our
ideas and designs. Communication is 90% of the role.
Communication can be graphical, written, broadcast, digital or live
Communication with external contractors, clients, media and funders
Communication with internal staff directly at all levels from peers to
directorate
Ability to communicate vision and requirements to designers and contractors
to ensure best possible outcome for ZSL
Postholder will act as a communication consultant for society wide issues,
such as future plans, retail, communication and marketing departments.
Being an ambassador for ZSL’s mission statement, brand and all aspects of
ZSL’s work
LIAISON
Will regularly represent ZSL externally, with suppliers and contractors, and
hosting visits or making presentations.
Direct liaison with directorate about current and upcoming projects
Having a significant impact on the reputation of the zoo,
Significant impact on visitor satisfaction, visitor numbers and potential
funders, though success of projects
MENTAL DEMANDS
1.
JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
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D.
The postholder is responsible for entirely managing their own time and that of
anyone else assigned to work for the postholder on a project
Required to exercise their own judgement in researching, developing and
presenting creative proposals to deliver against agreed strategic frameworks
and objectives
Required to make difficult and complex judgements which impact on critical
pathways in projects.
Required to make daily decisions in the running of the design offices.
ORIGINAL THOUGHT AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Responsible for generating concepts and catalysing the development of
original, creative ideas for interpretation. Responsible for proposing content
for approval by senior colleagues.
The postholder is the conduit between audience and ZSL – their writing is
seen on graphics and in shows throughout the zoo. Therefore they need to
be able to thoroughly and accurately represent ZSL at all times. This requires
extensive research, checking and communicating with experts.
Regular research into current practice in interpretation, and the subject
matter, to enable an effective balance to be struck in communicating with and
engaging our audiences, and achieving cost-effectiveness while innovating.
Required to rapidly problem solve often very critical and high profile problems
which have an impact on the delivery of projects
Problem solving a wide array of media – construction, interactives, digital,
printed graphics etc
CONCENTRATION
Extended periods of high concentration required to develop and deliver
interpretation projects
The ability to concentrate on many projects simultaneously and to a high
degree for several months
FLEXIBILITY
Periods of intense work will be required to hit deadlines meaning flexibility in
hours is essential.
Postholder will need to be flexible with colleagues also in communication of
and securing buy-in to ideas.
The job is varied and requires a practical and creative mindset.
The ability to multi-task is key to the success of this job
WORKING CONDITIONS
 Working in an open plan office with up to 8 colleagues and regular
interruptions.
 Also required to go out on site regularly in all weathers.
 Also required to access building sites during development and install.
 Occasional early and late working will be required to supervise contractors
and accommodate deadlines or special events
 The postholder is based at ZSL London Zoo but may be required to spend
occasional days at Whipsnade Zoo if appropriate to a project.
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