Join our Team!

Join our passionate team at The Big Cat Sanctuary, home to 50+ wild cats, as Head of Horticulture. We’re seeking an experienced and creative horticultural professional to lead our Gardens department, enhancing our plant collections and supporting our mission centred around welfare, breeding, education, and conservation.

You’ll manage and develop planted areas across the estate, helping create natural habitats, supporting plant conservation and propagation, and enriching the visitor experience. Working closely with senior managers, the Education team, and other departments, you’ll play a key role in promoting biodiversity, delivering talks, and supporting community engagement and learning.

Responsibilities include maintaining plant welfare, developing native species habitats, supporting exhibit design, managing volunteers, ensuring health and safety compliance, and contributing to strategic planning and garden events.

Requirements
You’ll have RHS Level 2 (or equivalent experience), leadership skills, strong plant knowledge, garden machinery competence, and a creative eye for design. You must be physically fit, computer literate, and hold a full driving licence with your own transport.

Offer
Full-time, 5 days/week (08:00–17:00)
Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, uniform, staff benefits.

Apply by 30th April 2025
Send your CV and cover letter to: jobs@thebigcatsanctuary.org

The Big Cat Sanctuary is seeking a passionate and skilled Horticulturalist to maintain and enhance our gardens and grounds. This hands-on role includes lawn care, planting, pruning, and nursery work, as well as supporting enrichment planting for animal enclosures and themed horticultural projects.

You’ll operate and maintain tools and machinery, assist with seasonal tasks like snow clearance, and ensure all areas are kept clean, safe, and visually appealing. Flexibility, teamwork, and a proactive approach are essential, along with a commitment to Health & Safety and excellent public engagement.

We’re looking for someone with horticultural experience, good knowledge of garden maintenance, and a strong work ethic. You should be confident working independently, physically fit, and presentable at all times.

Experience in project planning, habitat enrichment, or working in a zoo or visitor attraction is a plus.

This is a full-time, permanent position, 40 hours per week, including some weekends and Bank Holidays

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to jobs@thebigcatsanctuary.org stating “Horticulturalist” in the subject line.

Join The Big Cat Sanctuary and apply your trade skills in a unique setting, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. We’re seeking an experienced and adaptable tradesperson to support site maintenance and development across our diverse grounds.

Key Duties:
You’ll carry out varied building and repair work—from carpentry and plumbing to groundworks and roofing. Tasks include maintaining animal enclosures, staff facilities, and supporting new builds and refurbishments.

Requirements:

• 3+ years’ experience in multi-trade or construction roles

• Skilled in at least two trades (e.g. carpentry, plumbing, bricklaying)

• Machinery licences (CPCS/NPTC/IPAF) desirable

• Full UK driving licence and own vehicle

• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and Health & Safety awareness

Package:
£30K+ PA, 28 days’ holiday, uniform, and more.

Apply:
Please email your CV and cover letter to jobs@thebigcatsanctuary.org. Early applications advised.

Join The Big Cat Sanctuary and put your electrical skills to work in one of the most unique environments imaginable.

We’re seeking a qualified and experienced electrician to carry out reactive, planned, and preventative maintenance work across our site. From fault-finding and repairs to installing power, lighting, alarms, and data networks, you’ll play a key role in keeping our facilities safe, efficient, and operational.

You’ll work independently and as part of a small, supportive team, with opportunities to contribute to exciting development projects.

Requirements:

• City & Guilds/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

• Experience with single/3-phase systems, testing, and commissioning

• Strong knowledge of electrical safety and relevant legislation

• Full UK driving licence and own transport

What we offer:

• Competitive salary (dependent on qualifications and experience)

• 28 days’ annual leave (incl. Bank Holidays)

• Uniform & PPE provided

• Staff discounts and wellbeing support

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to jobs@thebigcatsanctuary.org stating “Electrician” in the email title.

Love a hands-on role and want to work somewhere truly unique?

The Big Cat Sanctuary is looking for a friendly, practical, and reliable Facilities Maintenance Assistant to join our team. This is a full-time, permanent role offering a fantastic opportunity to support the daily upkeep of our beautiful Sanctuary – home to some of the world’s most endangered big cats.

You’ll help with general maintenance across the site, including basic plumbing, carpentry, painting, and minor electrical tasks. You’ll also play a key role in keeping buildings, enclosures, equipment, and vehicles safe, tidy, and well-maintained. No two days are the same – adaptability and a proactive attitude are a must.

We’re looking for someone with previous experience in building or site maintenance, a strong work ethic, and great communication skills. Trade qualifications are a bonus, but not essential. A full UK driving licence and own vehicle are required, as we’re not accessible by public transport.

What we offer:

• Starting salary from £27,040 PA, dependent on skills and experience
• 28 days’ holiday (incl. bank holidays)
• Uniform & PPE provided
• Supportive team and unique working environment

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to jobs@thebigcatsanctuary.org stating “Facilities Maintenance Assistant” in the email title.

The Big Cat Sanctuary is looking for a Corporate Partnerships Manager to expand and develop our corporate partnerships portfolio. This role is key to securing funding, promoting education, and supporting global conservation efforts.

Key Responsibilities
🔹 Develop & Manage Partnerships – Identify, cultivate, and maintain strategic corporate relationships that align with our mission.
🔹 Corporate Engagement Programs – Lead initiatives such as our Corporate Membership Strategy and Investors in Conservation program to drive funding and awareness.
🔹 Collaboration & Strategy – Work cross-functionally to identify corporate synergy opportunities and create impactful collaborations.
🔹 Financial & Progress Management – Oversee budgets, track partnership success, and maintain records in our CRM system.

Who We’re Looking For
A dynamic, results-driven professional with experience in corporate fundraising or business development. You should have:
✔ Strong relationship-building, problem-solving & communication skills
✔ Proven success in securing significant corporate income
✔ Passion for wildlife conservation and our mission

To apply or for further info, please email lisa@thebigcatsanctuary.org (Subject: Corporate Partnerships Manager).

Join Our Kitchen Team at The Big Cat Sanctuary!
We’re looking for a talented and passionate Chef to join our team at either Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie level.

As a BCS Chef, you’ll assist the Head Chef in delivering high-quality, innovative dishes while maintaining our high culinary standards. This role requires independence, teamwork, and creativity in a fast-paced kitchen.

Requirements:
Experience: 2+ years in a restaurant or full-service hotel
Skills: Strong culinary abilities, creativity, and ability to work under pressure
Flexibility: Available for weekends, evenings & occasional overtime
Transport: Valid driver’s licence & own vehicle (BCS is not accessible by public transport)
Eligibility: Must have the right to live & work in the UK

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week, shifts between 07:00-22:00, straight shifts only)

To apply or for further info: Email lisa@thebigcatsanctuary.org

If you’re passionate about food and want to work in a truly unique environment, we’d love to hear from you.

The Big Cat Sanctuary’s staff are all dedicated and passionate about their work. However, there is a limit to what each individual can achieve in a day which is why the organisation is supported by a committed group of volunteers, who provide a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience.

Volunteers undertake a range of roles, including supporting the work of our gardening and maintenance teams, customer services, fundraising, delivering site tours and experiences, along with supporting our keeping team.

Due to the varied nature of the tasks, a flexible and adaptable attitude is essential. Ideally, you will be able to commit to a minimum of one day per fortnight.

Please note:

• Volunteers must be at least 18 years old
• Volunteering is not the same as a work experience placement (see Work Experience)
• Your own transport is essential as The Big Cat Sanctuary is in a rural location and not accessible by public transport

If you are considering volunteering for us, please click here to complete an Expression of Interest form. Thank you.

The Big Cat Sanctuary is dedicated to encouraging research that contributes to the body of scientific knowledge about big cats.

We welcome researchers, including students, who wish to conduct research projects. All researchers must fill out the appropriate application documents and have their proposal accepted before any data collection can take place.

If you are interested in carrying out a research project please contact Research@thebigcatsanctuary.org

Thank you.

Unfortunately we do not offer Work Experience Placements at The Big Cat Sanctuary.