Displays Curator

**Displays Curator**:

- Location Name SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
- Job Locations AU-Mooloolaba
- Job ID
- 2025-9035
- Employment Type
- Salaried
- Offer/Contract Type
- No End Date
- Location (Country-State-City)
- AU-Mooloolaba

**What you'll bring to the team**:
**Ready to take the next big step in your curatorial or aquarium career?**:
**Ready to dive into a job in one of Australia's most iconic and beautiful places?**:
**Do you want to lead a passionate team, shape engaging marine displays, and play a hands-on role in conservation at one of Australia's top aquariums?**:
**_This is your chance to do just that-right here on the beautiful Sunshine Coast._**

**Job Highlights**
- Lead the delivery of world-class displays and animal welfare at one of Queensland's most iconic attractions
- Located on the stunning Sunshine Coast, just minutes from the beach
- Drive conservation, education, and guest experience outcomes in a hands-on leadership role

**About the Role**
- Reporting to the General Manager and as part of the Senior Leadership Team, the **Displays Curator** is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day operation of our animal displays, curatorial teams, and animal welfare programs.
- You'll lead a team of passionate aquarists, dive professionals, and animal care staff to deliver immersive, guest-focused displays while ensuring world-class animal care, safety, and innovation. This role is pivotal in aligning the aquarium's curatorial function with Merlin's Conservation, Welfare & Engagement (CWE) standards.

**On a day-to-day basis, you will**:

- Lead the delivery of best-practice animal welfare standards in line with Merlin and regulatory requirements
- Oversee life support systems, water quality, and display integrity
- Inspire and manage a high-performing curatorial team, including direct reports across animal care, diving, and veterinary support
- Design and implement engaging and educational displays and exhibits
- Drive conservation, breeding, and research initiatives with real-world impact
- Collaborate with other department heads on capital planning, marketing alignment, and guest experience enhancements
- Manage and report on curatorial budgets, compliance, audits, and project outcomes
- Champion health, safety, and risk mitigation for both animals and team

**Abo**ut You**
- You'll bring a wealth of curatorial experience, a passion for aquatic life, and a strong commitment to guest experience and conservation. You thrive in a leadership role and are comfortable navigating the operational and strategic needs of a high-profile public attraction.

**To shine in this role, you'll have**:

- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field (e.g., Marine Biology, Zoology, Aquaculture)
- Significant experience in curatorial or displays leadership roles, ideally in an aquarium or zoo setting
- Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop multidisciplinary teams
- Strong technical understanding of aquatic life support systems and animal husbandry
- A commitment to animal welfare and knowledge of the 5-domains model
- Excellent communication, planning, and problem-solving skills
- Experience working with compliance frameworks, including ZAA and ZIMS/OERCA systems
- Diving qualifications and familiarity with dive operations highly regarded

**What We Can Offer You**:

- ** Salary**: Competitive salary package based on experience
- ** Perks**: Complimentary entry to Merlin attractions globally (yes, all of them)
- ** Leave**: Additional wellbeing, birthday, and volunteer leave
- ** Growth**: Access to internal and external professional development
- ** Impact**: A meaningful role that combines leadership, animal care, and conservation
- ** Location**: Work just minutes from beautiful Mooloolaba Beach, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast**Culture & Values**: Join a team that celebrates individuality, champions inclusivity, and supports diversity in all forms-including gender, culture, sexuality, age, and ability. We are proud of our Reconciliation Action Plan and our commitment to meaningful engagement with First Nations communities.**Conservation**: Be part of real, measurable conservation work through our support of the SEA LIFE Trust
- protecting marine wildlife and habitats through local rescue efforts, beach cleans and global campaigns. We really make a difference here up on the Sunny Coast, and we want you to be part of it
- Dive into a rare opportunity to make waves in one of Australia's most exciting aquariums. If you're ready to lead with passion, purpose, and impact
- we want to hear from you

**Pay Range**:

- Competitive