Head of Digital, Data and Technology

Zoological Society of London

About the Organisation

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform, and empower people to stop wild animals from going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives, and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

About the role

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international conservation charity, driven by science, working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and every role, every person in every corner of ZSL has one thing in common: we are all conservationists and passionate about restoring wildlife.

In this role, you’ll guide and empower ZSL on its digital, data, and technology journey, building confidence and capability across the organisation in how tools, data, and insight are used to drive real impact. You will play a key role in designing and delivering user-focused technologies, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening how we tell our conservation stories through data and digital innovation.

By delivering user-focused technologies, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening our conservation storytelling, this role will evolve and future-proof ZSL’s digital ecosystem while supporting our mission to protect and restore nature in the UK and around the world.

Responsibilities

Digital Leadership and Transformation:

• Define and deliver a transformative digital, data, and technology vision aligned with ZSL’s strategic goals, embedding innovation to drive measurable impact on conservation outcomes and supporter engagement.
• Provide strategic oversight of IT operations, ensuring services align with organisational objectives, enable innovation, and support long-term growth.
• Lead ZSL’s digital transformation journey, championing system integration and adoption of digital solutions to foster a culture of digital literacy across the organisation.
• Design and implement change management strategies, readiness assessments, and adoption plans to ensure smooth delivery of digital initiatives and high-quality user experience.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders across the organisation to secure buy-in and alignment on digital priorities.

Systems and Infrastructure:

• Identify, develop, and implement accessible, user-focused technologies and environmentally sustainable solutions that enhance organisational efficiency, impact, and engagement.
• Ensure IT infrastructure is robust, scalable, and reliable to meet future organisational needs while adhering to sustainability commitments.
• Increase organisational resilience by proactively managing risks associated with digital projects, including cyber security threats, data breaches, and system downtime.
• Develop, maintain, and connect databases, platforms, and tools to enable effective and improved ways of working across ZSL systems.

Data, Analytics & Cyber Security:

• Establish and maintain strong data governance frameworks that ensure data integrity, compliance, and security, positioning data as a strategic organisational asset.
• Drive integration across key datasets and applications holding conservation, science, and supporter content using analytics tools such as Power BI and middleware.
• Lead insights-driven decision-making by leveraging analytics to optimise user experience, operational efficiency, and storytelling impact for all stakeholders.
• Oversee cyber security strategy, including policy, risk management, incident response, and reporting to the executive team, ensuring organisational resilience.

People Leadership:

• Lead, develop, and inspire high-performing digital and system users and IT teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Build capability across the organisation to enhance digital literacy and adoption of new technologies.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

• Extensive experience in IT, digital, data, or technology leadership roles, demonstrating increasing responsibility over time.
• Proven track record of developing and delivering organisational digital and ICT strategies.
• Broad experience across multiple IT and digital disciplines.
• Experience managing budgets with a focus on cost-effectiveness and value for money.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing large, high-performing teams.
• Outstanding leadership and strategic thinking capabilities, with the ability to set vision and direction.
• Deep understanding of data ecosystems, including platforms, governance, and insight generation.
• Strong grasp of technical data concepts, including databases, data science, business intelligence, analytics, and cloud technologies.
• Thorough knowledge of data governance principles, data ethics, relevant regulatory frameworks (GDPR), and cybersecurity best practices.
• Highly skilled at influencing and building relationships at senior organisational levels.
• Strong commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values and commitment to safeguarding, equality, and diversity (collaborative, inspiring, inclusive, innovative, impactful, and ethical).

Compensation & Benefits

• Our vision and purpose: work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct 
• Pension scheme: we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working: talk to us about your flexible working requirements, and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you 
• Holidays: 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays 
• Wellbeing: access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme 
• Life assurance: eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day
• Complimentary tickets: annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops 
• Cycle2Work: our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle 
• Season ticket loan: we offer an interest-free loan for eligible London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work 
• Family-friendly policies: we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages 

Conditions of employment

• You must have the right to work in the UK

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely
• Some travel required

How to apply

• For full role details and to apply for this role, please contact Miles Mackie from our Executive Search partners, Green Park, by emailing [email protected]
• Please note we are not accepting any direct applications for this role. 

Policies

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination.

ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

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