ASSISTANT MANAGER; Visitor Experience Services, Bistro and Events.

National Zoo & Aquarium – Weston Creek ACT

ASSISTANT MANAGER; Visitor Experience Services, Bistro and Events

The National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra is one of Australia’s most highly regarded tourist attractions and educational facilities, located in the heart of the nation’s capital. Open every day except Christmas Day, the zoo’s open-range facilities create a unique workplace where adults and children alike can reconnect with nature and experience wildlife in an unforgettable way.

The zoo is also home to Jamala Wildlife Lodge, which continues to receive worldwide recognition and reviews, consistently ranking among the top animal lodges in the world.

We are seeking a dynamic and hands‑on Assistant Manager to cover the Visitor Services/Main Entry and the Rhino Bistro and Events Centre on the 5 days each week that one or the other of the Managers are on their rostered days off.

This position plays a key leadership role running the above sections, ensuring the smooth operation of front‑of‑house entry services, eating outlets, and event functions. This is a senior, permanent position, reporting to the Visitor Experience Services and the Bistro and Events Manager and is an ideal steppingstone for the successful applicant to progress in the zoo’s operations.

Role Responsibilities

Your focus will be on maintaining high service standards, supporting staff performance, and ensuring guests enjoy quality food, presentation, and hospitality. This is a hands‑on leadership role, working alongside your team to ensure smooth daily operations and exceptional visitor experiences.

Responsibilities include:

- Overseeing the daily opening and closing of operational areas when required




- Supporting the ongoing development of operational procedures and guidelines
- Liaising with other departments to ensure an outstanding guest experience
- Working on the floor with the team to maintain high service standards
- Managing face‑to‑face and telephone interactions with visitors and the community
- Handling customer enquiries, complaints, and reception issues professionally
- Maintaining knowledge of POS systems and ensuring accurate cash handling procedures
- Managing cash floats and end‑of‑day till reconciliation
- Assisting with staff training, mentoring, and team development
- Planning staffing and stock levels based on weather‑dependent visitor numbers
- Adjusting operations quickly in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment
- Performing other duties as required within the scope of the role

As zoo visitation can be highly weather dependent, the successful applicant must be comfortable adjusting operations quickly to meet changing attendance levels.

About You

The ideal candidate will have experience in a comparable hospitality, tourism, visitor attraction, or venue management role and demonstrate strong leadership and customer service skills. They will have experience in some of the above areas, but not necessarily in all of them, as training will be provided. Above all, we are seeking someone wholeads by example, sets high standards, and inspires others to achieve them.

What We Offer

This is a challenging yet rewarding leadership opportunity within one of Canberra’s most unique tourism destinations. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to grow and progress within the organisation.

Salary: Competitive and flexible based on the experience of the successful applicant.

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📌 ASSISTANT MANAGER; Visitor Experience Services, Bistro and Events. (Canberra)
🏢 National Zoo & Aquarium
📍 Canberra