Commercial Director
Location: Welsh Mountain Zoo
Colwyn Bay
Salary: £45,000 – £46,758.99 (dependent on experience)
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Lead commercial growth at the National Zoo of Wales and help shape the future of one of Wales’ most iconic conservation charities.
At Welsh Mountain Zoo, our mission is simple: To inspire passion for nature with every unforgettable visit. Every visitor, every partnership and every commercial decision helps us protect wildlife, educate future generations and secure the long-term future of the zoo.
As Wales’ oldest and most established zoo, we’re home to more than 60 species across a spectacular 37-acre site, welcoming over 160,000 visitors each year while supporting conservation projects in the UK and around the world. Every commercial success helps fund our vision of a future where the natural world is valued, understood, and protected.
We’re looking for an ambitious, commercially minded leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Commercial Director.
This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys combining commercial thinking with purpose. You’ll provide strategic leadership across our commercial functions, including Guest Services, Marketing, Fundraising, Partnerships and Finance, ensuring every aspect of the visitor journey contributes to an exceptional guest experience and sustainable commercial growth.
Working closely with the Chief
Executive Officer, Director of Living Collections and Board of Trustees, you’ll
help shape the zoo’s long-term strategy, identify new commercial opportunities
and ensure our commercial objectives support our conservation and charitable
mission.
Working closely with our Chief
Executive Officer and Director of Living Collections, you’ll play a key role in
shaping the zoo’s future, developing new revenue opportunities while remaining
true to our conservation and charitable objectives.
This is an exciting opportunity
for an experienced commercial leader to make a lasting impact on the future of
a much-loved visitor attraction, conservation charity and nationally recognised
organisation.
What you’ll lead
You’ll be responsible for:
- Developing and delivering the zoo’s commercial
strategy to support long-term sustainability.
- Providing strategic leadership across our Guest
Services, Marketing, Fundraising and Finance teams.
- Developing new income streams while maximising
revenue from admissions, memberships, retail, experiences, events, fundraising
and strategic partnerships.
- Leading major commercial projects from concept
through to successful delivery.
- Building strong relationships with sponsors,
local businesses, community organisations and key stakeholders.
- Driving innovative marketing campaigns that
attract new and returning visitors while strengthening the Welsh Mountain Zoo
brand.
- Leading annual budget setting, financial
planning, forecasting and commercial performance, ensuring robust financial
stewardship and long-term sustainability.
- Preparing strategic reports, business cases and
performance updates for the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
- Using commercial insight, KPIs and performance
data to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Working collaboratively across the organisation
to align commercial objectives with operational, conservation and animal
welfare priorities.
- Championing outstanding visitor experiences and
exceptional customer service.
- Contributing to organisational strategy as a key
member of the Senior Leadership Team.
No two days are the same
One day you may be presenting commercial performance to the Board of Trustees; the next, launching a new visitor experience, negotiating a corporate partnership, developing the annual
budget or supporting a major conservation fundraising campaign. This is a varied, strategic role offering the opportunity to make a tangible impact across every aspect of the organisation.
About you
We’re looking for someone who
combines commercial acumen with strong leadership and a genuine passion for
conservation.
You’ll ideally have experience
leading commercial functions within a visitor attraction, tourism, hospitality,
leisure or charitable organisation, together with:
- A proven track record of growing income and
identifying new commercial opportunities.
- Experience managing budgets, analysing
performance and making data-led decisions.
- The ability to motivate and develop
multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong communication and relationship-building
skills.
- Experience in marketing, partnerships,
fundraising or business development.
- A proactive, collaborative approach with the
confidence to lead change.
Above all, you’ll be someone who
thrives on making a positive impact and wants to help secure the future of
Welsh Mountain Zoo.
Why join us?
As Commercial Director, you’ll
play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the National Zoo of Wales, working
closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees to deliver our
long-term vision. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer:
- Pension Scheme
- 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays)
- Enhanced company sick pay following qualifying
service.
- Flexible working arrangements where
operationally possible.
- A senior leadership role with genuine influence
over organisational strategy and commercial direction.
- The opportunity to work directly with the Chief
Executive Officer and Board of Trustees.
- Autonomy to develop and deliver the zoo’s
commercial strategy and shape its future success.
- Free admission to the Zoo for your immediate
family.
- Complimentary access to BIAZA member zoos across
the UK and Ireland.
- Staff discounts across Zoo retail, catering and
visitor experiences.
- Discounted gym membership.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Free on-site parking.
- Uniform provided where applicable.
- Ongoing professional development and career
progression opportunities.
- The opportunity to make a lasting impact by
helping secure the future of the National Zoo of Wales and supporting vital
conservation work.
Closing date: 29th July 2026
To apply: Please submit your CV
together with a covering letter explaining why you’re the right person to help
shape the future of Welsh Mountain Zoo.
We reserve the right to close this
vacancy early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Early
applications are therefore encouraged.
