Zoo Manager Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Summary:
The Zoo Hospital Manager is responsible for administrative and practice management for the Veterinary Department. This position provides direct leadership to Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants, ensuring animal care, medical support, administrative functions, and hospital operations are completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with established standards and regulatory requirements.
As a key member of the hospital leadership team, the Zoo Hospital Manager fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement by promoting effective communication within the veterinary team and across departments, supervising personnel, managing performance, resolving conflict professionally, and developing/upholding efficient systems that support exceptional patient care, employee engagement, and organizational success.
Essential Job Functions:

• Provides administrative oversight and expertise to the Veterinary Services Department (including but not limited to:
  
  • Purchasing and ordering.
  • Inventory management of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, equipment and consumables.
  • Invoice processing & budget tracking.
  • Preventative maintenance scheduling & service contracts for medical equipment.
  • Identifies operational inefficiencies and leads continuous improvement initiatives to improve workflow, communication, safety, and service delivery.
  • Management of hospital safety programs including OSHA compliance, hazardous waste disposal, radiation safety, biosecurity and infection control.
  • Administrative support for recruitment, onboarding, training documentation and employee performance processes.
  • Oversees the daily operational flow of veterinary technicians and assistants ensuring efficient scheduling and resource allocation.
• Submits and coordinates work tickets for facility, including appropriate prioritization and follow up.
• Coordinates veterinary support for animal shipments and research requests.
• Coordinates facility tours, guest and visitor requests.
• Follows established protocols for controlled drug purchase and tracking.
• Meets with regulatory agencies and participates in inspections.
• Assists with the documentation, development and implementation of the preventive medicine programs.
• Familiar with regulatory compliance with USDA, DEA, state veterinary regulations, AZA accreditation standards, and institutional policies.
• Interacts with and maintains contacts with numerous departments and team members in order to respond to inquiries and requests.
• Ability and willingness to assist with either laboratory and/or husbandry duties as needed based on staffing.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field (or equivalent years experience in the field).
• At least five years of relevant experience (either as Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant/Zookeeper).
• Must be solution-oriented, finding creative solutions for complex challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to unite individuals with diverse expertise around a shared vision and common goals.
• Excellent facilitation, as well as communication, skills - both oral and written.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience in veterinary operations and personnel management is beneficial.
• Registered veterinary technician or experienced husbandry professional is desirable.

Competencies:

• Leadership and team development.
• Conflict resolution.
• Change management.
• Project management.
• Written and oral communication Proficiency.
• Proficient in MS Office and medical record keeping software & systems.
• Records and reports creation and management.
• Problem solving/analysis.
• Stress management/composure.
• Emotional intelligence.

Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants through coaching, scheduling, performance management, conflict resolution, employee development, and accountability.
Reporting Structure: Reports to Chief Zoological Officer.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Full-time salary positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager to fit the needs of the role. Position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays, holidays, and weekends. Must have flexibility to respond to and be on-site for after-hour medical emergencies.
This position is considered exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of the job, the employee will primarily operate in a mixed work environment that includes both the animal hospital and zoo grounds. Time will be split between indoor hospital settings and outdoor or behind-the-scenes animal care areas. When outdoors, this position may be exposed to various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
This position requires frequent standing/walking/bending/sitting and will often move or lift objects up to 50 pounds. When assisting animal care staff, the employee will be required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Other Requirements:

• 21 years or older.
• Clear background check.
• Clear drug screening.
• Clear TB screening.
• Valid driver's license.
• Clear MVR screening.
• Proof of current automobile insurance.

Benefits & Perks
The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.
EEOC and Inclusion Statement:
The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.
The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org.
The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
How to Apply:
Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Careers page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered. www.memphiszoo.org/careers.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.