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CURATORIAL DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR - FULL TIME

Merlin Entertainments • Full-time • Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • USD $ 70.45k - USD $ 90k / year • 3w ago

Curatorial Department Supervisor - Full Time

Location Name SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Job Locations AU-Melbourne

Job ID

2025-10101

Employment Type

Fixed Term/Seasonal

Offer/Contract Type

Fixed End Date/Seasonal

Location (Country-State-City)

AU-Melbourne

What you'll bring to the team

This role is for a Full-Time permanent position for external staff, or a 6-12 month Secondment for internal Merlin Staff

Are you passionate about marine conservation, animal welfare and creating amazing displays? Are you an experienced leader with a desire to manage a team in an iconic global brand?

We have an exciting opportunity to join us at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium as a Curatorial Department Supervisor on Secondment!

About the Role

Reporting into the Curator, you will be responsible for coordinating the operations of the curatorial department as well as leading a team of Aquarists and Keepers, ensuring they are supported in delivering all animal welfare, displays, team development and guest experience objectives. The role will be overseeing teams who work across our displays including a range of freshwater & marine aquatic species, reptiles, amphibians, Antarctic penguins.

Key responsibilities for both roles will include (but are not limited to);

Ensure the highest possible standards of animal husbandry, exhibit presentation, technical operation and safety in daily operations of the SEA LIFE Aquarium.
To monitor all public display areas to achieve the objective of delivering a World Class guest experience.
Leading Aquarists/Keepers by example and setting the standard for animal care and professionalism.
Work closely with the Curator/Other Curatorial Supervisors/ Head Aquarist/Keepers offering support and assistance with running your zone and staff.
To ensure the correct animal acquisition/breeding, quarantine and transport processes to allow the collection of all animals in the correct health, whilst meeting or exceeding the requirements of the SEA LIFE network.
Responsible for Displays line-budgets as agreed with Curator.
Assist with the development and implementation in conjunction with Curator/ Other Curatorial Supervisors/Head Aquarist/Keeper of policies and procedures that maximises the management of animal husbandry and animal innovation throughout the displays development livestock holding facilities.
Responsible for an allocated zone within the SEA LIFE attraction.
Lead, develop and support SEA LIFE attraction Curatorial team members in specific areas of responsibility.
Assist the Curator to develop collection management strategy for all species and displays.
Work closely and coordinate with team, Managers and Curator to assure curatorial team is appropriately staffed and achieves overall department objectives day to day.
Work closely with Veterinarian to carry out best practice animal health and wellbeing practices.
Build relationships with relevant organisations to position and promote SEA LIFE attraction as a respected leading zoological/aquarium organisation.
Deliver animals through acquisition, quarantine and/or transport in ideal health in accordance with SEA LIFE and Merlin CWE standards and local authority’s requirements.
Maintain animal management records according to SEA LIFE and Merlin policy and legislative requirements.
Ensure health and safety policy is strictly followed to ensure safety of staff, guests and animals.
Stay up to date with scientific information regarding the animals within the collection.
Promote high-quality guest interactions and presentations, and support team to do the same.

This is a full-time permanent position also available as temporary secondment for Global Merlin SEA LIFE curatorial staff looking for a secondment opportunity.

On going/permanent position following secondment considered for the right candidate (subject to government regulation and required qualifications).

About You

The ideal candidate for this role will have experience working with a variety of aquatic taxa together with a passion for the marine environment and public engagement. We are also looking for an excellent people leader who can build rapport and encourage team cohesion.

You will:

Have at least 5 years proven aquatic animal husbandry experience.
Experience with Antarctic penguin is desirable.
You will have a high degree of supervisory skills in an aquatic display capacity.
Be an effective empathetic leader with proven ability to lead teams.
Be a clear communicator, good planner with strong organisation skills.
Be adept at problem solving and proactive with a solutions focus.

The following qualifications would be an advantage:

Certified rescue diver or above
First aid and O2 provision certificate
The AS2299 commercial dive medical and have the ability to dive regularly
A Bachelor’s degree in Zoology or Biology or an equivalent Animal Care Diploma

About Our Benefits

Corporate benefits including free access to all our attractions worldwide

Domestic and global opportunities to develop and progress your skills and career in tourism and attractions

Additional Leave (including birthday and wellbeing) and 3 volunteer days to give back to a social cause you care about

Opportunity to be involved with our Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, including our Reconciliation Action Plan

Being part of a business built onfun

About Us
Merlin Entertainments is the company behind iconic brands like SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, and Peppa Pig World of Play. We operate in over 140 attractions across 25 countries, delivering memorable experiences to 54 million+ visitors a year. We’re the leading operator of visitor attractions in Australia and New Zealand, with 10 attractions, including SEA LIFE, WILDLIFE, Madame Tussauds, and the Fly Treetop Adventures, amongst others.

Merlin Entertainments is driven by a strong social responsibility with the vision to create a world where the global community respects, conserves, and sustainably manages our precious aquatic habitats, wildlife, and natural resources. We strive to achieve this goal through our 3 charities: Merlins Magic Wand, the SEA LIFE Trust, and the WILDLIFE Conservation Fund.

So, if you are vibrant and passionate about delivering an amazing service within a great company and in a team who loves what we do – then we want to hear from you!

Merlin Entertainments strongly encourages application from all background, including people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander decent. Please let us know at anzrecruitment@merlinentertainments.biz if you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to support your application.