Curatorial Department Supervisor

**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.**

**About You**

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