ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: ZSL Design and Interpretation Manager
SECTION: Design and Interpretation
DEPARTMENT: Communications
DIVISION: Commercial and Communications
RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Communications
PARTICIPATING JOB HOLDER(S):
APPROVED BY:
JOB HOLDER(S):
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OR DIRECTOR:
DATE: 08.07.14
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JOB DESCRIPTION REF. NO.:
GRADE ALLOCATED: 3
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JOB EVALUATION REVIEW HISTORY AND EXPLANATORY NOTES:
This senior position manages a fairly large team (8 direct reports) and also the management of consultants, contractors and projects – including interpretation / exhibition elements of project budgets and events budgets. Management of project and revenue budgets of several hundred thousand pounds. High level of decision making.
Outline Description
ZSL is an international conservation, scientific and education charity. The Design and Interpretation Manager will manage the achievement of ZSL’s interpretation mission by providing inspirational interpretation opportunities for visitors across ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos’ sites.
The Design and Interpretation Manager will be responsible for managing the exhibit interpretation and audience engagement provision at both sites through graphics, interpretation development and exhibit interpretation. They will also manage ZSL’s design studio – our in-house graphic design resource that supports the interpretation developers, along with the design needs of ZSL as a whole. The post of Design and Interpretation Manager will contribute to the development and implementation of the wider Communications strategy and further the development of ZSL’s Interpretation and Engagement programme. The Manager of Design and Interpretation will work closely with Manager of Live Engagement to ensure a coherent approach to all streams of interpretation within ZSL, for example in the development of new exhibits.
Key Responsibilities
Site Interpretation
· To develop site exhibition interpretation and signage to promote ZSL, London and Whipsnade Zoo’s mission and brand values and to ensure that they are appropriately expressed to the visitor and others who interact with ZSL. These encompass:
· Visitor information at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, including on-site, visitor-facing information such as day planner, orientation, way-finding and accountability for the signage element of site presentation across the board to help standardise (e.g. across catering, retail, corporate events)
· Conservation and science signage and interpretation at both Zoos
· Animal exhibit signage extending into a significant interest in visual presentation, helping the sites to evolve into a functionally and visually coherent set of designs.
· All interpretive AV/electronics and mechanical interactives at both sites
· Supporting colleagues across the Society where possible
· Liaise with Arts and Culture coordinator on projects that widen the Zoos’ appeal to different audiences.
Design
· To manage the creative output of the graphic design team, ensuring all design is on brand, on message and completed to the best possible quality
· To oversee and manage the workloads of the design team, who are frequently in high demand
· To develop and maintain a growth strategy for the design function that allows us to keep pace with growth across the rest of ZSL
· To foster and maintain a relationship with the core creative agency engaged by Marketing
· To manage and maintain a core group of reliable freelancers who can complete design work to ZSL’s standards
Projects
· To participate in exhibit project teams as necessary to deliver appropriate innovative, inspirational and engaging content, and ensure that the ZSL mission and brand values are appropriately expressed for the general visitor. Team roles varying from project leader to stakeholder/adviser.
· To feed into the project development and master- planning process, and where appropriate originate new projects which compliment the ZSL mission and enhance the visitor experience.
· To support project process development by aiming for a collaborative approach and ensuring appropriate evaluation and reviews take place.
Management Accountabilities
· Recruit, induct and manage the interpretation and design team at both collections.
· Support the exhibit interpretation staff in their training and development; report on individual progress through the PDR process; identify new projects and allocate work.
· Communicate recent ZSL developments to staff and ensure interpretation offer is up-to-date and reflective of relevant ZSL work.
Financial
· Day-to-day management of ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo budgets.
· Involvement in annual budget setting.
Other
· Co-ordinate Health and Safety for the Interpretation Department.
· Ensure expenditure is kept within the agreed budgets
· Produce monthly reports for the Head of Communications
· Produce bi-annual updates for the Director General’s presentation
· Run weekly team meetings and ensure minutes are correct and logged.
· Attend 1:1s with Head of Communications and meetings with the other Communications mangers.
· Assist with interpretation presentations to directors meetings as required.
· To ensure a member of the team attends the weekly Operations
· Ensure effective input of ZSL work – ensure interpretation team representatives attend the Communications Steering Group, Events meetings and other ZSL-wide project meetings.
Key interfaces
To keep the Head of Communications up to date with the Interpretation team’s progress and development. To meet regularly with teams to raise departmental matters and ensure smooth running of the department. To work closely with Manager of Live Engagement to ensure all aspects of interpretation combine to give a strong, coherent message and that Live Engagement is suitably incorporated into initial exhibit designs.
The post will be expected to interface at all levels across the organisation and also with representatives of other zoos, museums, councils and contractors. This communication is vital to foster and improve Interpretations’ relationships with external organisations and to share best practice.
Knowledge and Experience
1. Vocational and Technical skills
· The Design and Interpretation Manager is likely to have a degree or relevant postgraduate qualification (or equivalent qualification/experience/training), and relevant management training/experience.
· They will have the acknowledged authority and ability to draw on extensive experience to develop policy and solve complex issues under direction of the Head of Communications.
· They will have leadership and extensive organisational skills.
· Knowledge of the latest thinking in interpretation techniques and methodologies
· Knowledge of audience advocacy and visitor studies
· Understanding of the role of research in exhibition interpretation.
· The post requires the individual to acquire an exceptional knowledge of the work of ZSL, EAZA, BIAZA, and the wider zoo community.
· The post holder is expected to manage the delivery world class zoo exhibit interpretation across the whole of ZSL.
2. Experience
· The post holder must have a thorough understanding of the design project management processes, such as the RIBA project system, in interpretative planning and project management and demonstrate experience in this area in other museums, zoos or equivalent organisations
· Demonstrable experience guiding design and working closely with designers
· They should have experience of delivering world class exhibitions to a diverse audience including different religions, cultures, abilities and ages and thus contributing to defining audiences for new zoo exhibits
· They should have experience in guiding exhibition teams to deliver their projects with a clear intellectual structure, key messages and learning outcomes
· They should be able to plan and oversee visitor research to fill relevant gaps in the zoo’s knowledge and understanding of visitors
· They will consider animal welfare, DDA and H&S guidelines in all their work. They will demonstrate a very high standard of written and spoken English
· S/he will have the ability to manage teams, budgets and projects; work to deadlines, delegate work and remain calm and polite under pressure.
3. Interpersonal Skills
The post holder must possess excellent interpersonal skills as these are key for successful management.
They must have the ability to successfully communicate with a wide range of people including colleagues, peers, children, adults, contractors, zoo staff, and external organisations.
Responsibility
Human Resources
Will manage a complex function and department. They will manage a significant number of staff at ZSL London and ZSL Whipsnade Zoos.
Will manage performance and assist with the personal/professional development of the interpretation team.
Will ensure appropriate recruitment and succession planning for the design and interpretation team
Physical Resource Management
a. Plant:
· Printing and vinyl production equipment and their consumables:
· Audio-visual equipment including Power point and other projectors TV, DVD and video players, sound installations, art installations, interpretation installations across ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
· Office Equipment
· Copyright materials
· Image rights to images held by external photo libraries
· Licensing
· Ensuring radio licenses are held and up to date
· Ensuring public performance licenses are held and up to date
· Signage
· Overseeing maintenance and upkeep of site wide graphics and signage systems
b. Budget
· The Design and Interpretation Manager will manage an allocated annual budget, including commissioning activity and undertaking management reporting.
· The post holder will have financial awareness of all of the Interpretation departments function and have skills to balance conflicting demands.
· Daily management of ZSL London design and interpretation budget (LNGRA) and of ZSL Whipsnade’s Interpretation budget (WNGRA)
· Commissioning dayplanners, flyers, interpretive material and graphics. They will be responsible for commissioning mechanical interactive equipment and audio visual equipment for interpretative projects.
c. Confidentiality
· The post holder has management of confidential information about the candidates who apply for jobs and for the department staff.
· The post holder must abide by the guidelines for the use of images and recordings of children, for marketing purposes.
· They may become privy to child protection issues and must act in accordance with the law.
d. Animals
The post holder will not manage any animal management, but will work closely alongside all of the animal teams to deliver the messages associated with their departments, and the wider ZSL animal related messages.
e. Communication
· The post holder will have advanced communication skills, often leading negotiations with important stakeholders and representing ZSL.
· They will have the ability to engage with visitors and colleagues to support learning, engagement and enjoyment.
· The ability to convey a thorough understanding of the work of ZSL using a wide variety of media.
· There is a range of methods of communication and materials which can be used when communicating and the post holder must choose the most appropriate suite of methods for the desired impact and message for the target group.
· Must be able to convey highly complex and often challenging ideas in clear, concise language to staff and visitors of all abilities, ages and cultures. This is key to the success of the post holder, the department and ZSL.
· Must be able to write and give direction on the delivery of graphics, promotional material, reports, and advise on content for web material of a professional caliber within agreed deadlines and budgets.
f. Liaison
It is vital that the post holder can understand and liaise effectively with colleagues, visitors and external bodies at a wide variety of levels.
The post holder provides important progress reports and is a ZSL representative at regular meetings with major revenue and capital project stakeholders, both internally and externally.
Mental Demands
Judgement and decision making
· The role is instrumental in shaping and delivering ZSL’s informal learning provision and by doing so influencing the external perception of the organisation.
· They will play a significant role in planning, and setting standards for others to follow and they will be a decision maker for major teams and projects, and have the ability to justify decisions to director level under the guidance of the Head of Communications.
· The Design and Interpretation Manager will be required to make informed decisions based on knowledge, experience and liaison with other Departments.
· The post holder will have exemplary time management skills to complete work within agreed deadlines. They will timetable their work to fit in event management meetings, contractor meetings, team meetings, external liaison, and project management.
· They will have a sound knowledge of health and safety issues and induct and manage staff to ensure best practice guidelines are adhered to.
Original thought and problem solving
The rapidly changing project needs and the team’s aim to deliver world class exhibitions and interpretation requires the post holder to propose and develop interpretation which is creative, inspiring and reflective of ZSL’s work, and at the same time fit within budget and are suitable for the target audience.
They will be able to introduce new practices under the guidance of the Head of Communications and agreed policy and they will be significantly involved with the formation and implementation of policy. Given the competitive exhibit market there is need to be innovative and distinctive while remaining mindful of ZSL’s reputation and position of authority on a range of subjects when developing interpretation.
Problem solving skills are essential to the position and the postholder will be expected to independently solve many of the day-to-day technical, practical and time management problems which arise.
The postholder will work within Communications to help solve problems and come up with original ideas for new interpretation spaces and within new developments. They will also work with other ZSL colleagues to help come up with solutions for improving the visitor experience.
Concentration
An exceptional level of accuracy is required in all aspects of the written and verbal material produced by the postholder. Periods of intense concentration are needed when presenting complex issues; during project development; creative ideas generation; contract development and reporting external funding bodies.
The post holder must possess the ability to give clear, precise information and instructions when communicating with a wide variety of audiences, which range from the informal under three-learner to directorial level. This requires a great deal of concentration and attention to detail. More moderate periods of concentration, clear thinking and logic are required when the potholder is researching projects; writing interpretation, developing events and other interpretational material for visitors.
Flexibility
Flexibility is involved in this post at a strategic level, where plans need to be revised as events or opportunities arise.
As ZSL’s needs and objectives change, the postholder needs to change their key messages and planning accordingly. Similarly, each time the collection alters, they need to delegate revision of signage and physical interactives to incorporate new content, or new animals or remove content/animals which have left the collection, and ensure that exhibit interpretation is constantly reviewed and up to date.
The job holder needs to keep abreast of the trends in interpretation, literature, films, current affairs and green issues. The postholder works to tight schedules and as they have many unrelated areas of work they must be able to multitask to achieve their deadlines while also meeting unpredictable and randomly timed demands by telephone, email and visitors.