Senior Curator Of Primates 

About the Role

The Senior Curator of Primates is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and development of the institutions primate collection and associated programs. The role provides direction and oversight for all aspects of primate management, including animal welfare, husbandry, behavioral management, conservation breeding, staff development, collection planning, operational safety, research, and habitat development.

As the institutions lead primate specialist, the Senior Curator ensures that the collection is managed to the highest international zoological standards while supporting the broader organizational mission of conservation, education, scientific advancement, and visitor engagement. The position serves as a key member of the Animal Care leadership team and contributes significantly to the development of institutional strategy, accreditation efforts, and conservation priorities.

The Senior Curator is expected to foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Particular emphasis is placed on evidence-based animal care, modern welfare science, behavioral management, positive reinforcement training, and conservation-focused population management. This role will be based in Al Ain.

Key Responsibilities

• The Senior Curator of Primates leads the planning, management, and long-term development of all primate programs across the institution. This includes ensuring exemplary standards of husbandry, welfare, enrichment, behavioral management, social group management, nutrition, veterinary collaboration, and habitat utilization. The position ensures that all primate species are managed in accordance with current international best practices and that management strategies continue to evolve through scientific evaluation and welfare monitoring.
• The role is responsible for the strategic management of the primate collection, including recommendations relating to acquisitions, transfers, breeding programs, demographic planning, population sustainability, and collection development. The Senior Curator works closely with regional and international species coordinators, studbook keepers, zoological institutions, conservation organizations, and breeding programs to contribute to the long-term sustainability of threatened species and professionally managed ex-situ populations.
• A major aspect of the position involves leadership and development of people. The Senior Curator mentors and supports supervisors, senior keepers, keepers, trainers, interns, and volunteers while promoting a positive and inclusive team culture. The position establishes clear performance standards, develops staff capabilities, supports succession planning, and ensures that all team members maintain the competencies required to safely and effectively manage complex primate species.
• The Senior Curator works closely with Veterinary Services, Animal Welfare, Nutrition, Conservation, Facilities, Horticulture, Life Support Systems, Education, Research, and Guest Experience teams to ensure integrated management of the institutions primate programs. The role also provides specialist input into exhibit design, capital development projects, operational planning, and accreditation processes.
• The position maintains overall accountability for operational safety and risk management within the primate section. This includes ensuring that appropriate safety systems, emergency response procedures, training programs, and risk assessments are implemented and regularly reviewed. The Senior Curator promotes a proactive safety culture while ensuring that animal welfare and staff safety remain closely aligned.
• The Senior Curator is expected to actively support and develop conservation initiatives involving primate species, including field conservation partnerships, scientific research, educational outreach, and conservation breeding programs. The position may represent the institution at conferences, working groups, professional associations, scientific meetings, and regional or international conservation forums.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• a Masters Degree in Zoology, Primatology, Animal Science, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Veterinary Science, Animal Behaviour, or a closely related discipline
• Experience in leading primate programs within accredited zoological institutions
• Experience in managing diverse primate collections, including complex social groups, breeding programs, behavioral management initiatives, and welfare-focused management systems
• Previous experience within AZA, EAZA, WAZA, SEAZA, BIAZA, ZAA, or similarly accredited zoological institutions

Desirable

• A doctoral degree or other advanced professional qualification