Livestock & Duty Manager
Location: Marsh Farm (Marsh Farm Rd, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford CM3 5YT)
Salary: £36,192 per annum
Hours: 48 hours per week, working 5 days out of 7, including regular weekends and peak seasonal periods.
About the Role
We're looking for an experienced and passionate Livestock & Duty Manager to join our management team at Marsh Farm.
This is a hands-on leadership role, combining responsibility for the welfare and management of our livestock collection with supporting the day to day operation of the attraction as Duty Manager.
You'll ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry, health, welfare and biosecurity are maintained, while overseeing engaging animal shows, experiences and attractions that create memorable visits for our guests. You'll also be responsible for ensuring all licensing, compliance and health & safety requirements are met, maintaining exceptional standards across our animal areas.
Alongside your livestock responsibilities, you'll support the safe, efficient and guest-focused operation of the park by leading teams, maintaining presentation standards, supporting events and delivering outstanding customer service. This role requires excellent livestock knowledge, confident leadership and the ability to make decisions quickly in a fast-paced visitor attraction environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Take full responsibility for the livestock team and the welfare of all animals across the park.
- Ensure compliance with all animal welfare legislation, Codes of Practice, licensing requirements and support progression towards the NFAN AAA Scheme.
- Manage all animal records, licences, compliance paperwork and health & safety requirements, ensuring they are always accurate and up to date.
- Plan, resource and deliver industry-leading animal shows, demonstrations and interactive experiences.
- Oversee the daily delivery of all animal attractions, ensuring they are engaging, educational and professionally presented.
- Lead, motivate and develop the livestock team through training, inductions and ongoing support, embedding a positive culture and high standards.
- Maintain exceptional presentation standards across animal enclosures, guest spaces and surrounding areas, while supporting site-wide cleanliness.
- Create memorable guest interactions that educate, inspire and encourage meaningful connections with our animals.
- Promote Marsh Farm memberships and deliver exceptional customer service at every opportunity.
- Act as Duty Manager, supporting the day-to-day operation of the attraction, leading teams, maintaining site standards, supporting events and ensuring a safe, efficient and enjoyable visitor experience.
About You
We're looking for someone who is passionate about animal welfare and enjoys leading from the front. You'll have previous livestock management experience within a farm park, zoo, visitor attraction or agricultural setting and be confident managing both people and operations.
You'll also have:
- Previous livestock management experience.
- A strong understanding of animal welfare legislation and best practice.
- Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
- Experience delivering outstanding customer service.
- A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to work under pressure.
- A practical understanding of Health & Safety requirements.
- A full UK driving licence.
What Success Looks Like
- Animal welfare standards consistently exceed minimum requirements.
- Compliance records, licences and paperwork are always accurate and up to date.
- Animal shows and experiences are delivered professionally and to schedule.
- Animal areas remain clean, tidy, safe and guest-ready at all times.
- The livestock team is motivated, organised and engaged.
- Guests leave their animal experiences having learnt something new and feeling connected to the animals.
- Marsh Farm consistently delivers a safe, welcoming and memorable visitor experience.
If you're passionate about animal welfare, thrive in a hands on leadership role and want to help create unforgettable experiences for thousands of visitors, we'd love to hear from you.
