Whale Welfare Lead

What you'll bring to the team

Lead One of the World's Most Ambitious Cetacean Welfare Projects

Every generation of animal care professionals hopes to be part of something that changes the future of animal welfare.

This is that opportunity.

At the SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary in Iceland, we're preparing the whales for their transition into the world's first open-water beluga whale sanctuary.

As our Whale Welfare Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in one of the most significant welfare projects ever undertaken for captive cetaceans.

This isn't a traditional aquarium management role.

You'll lead the team, the planning, the training and the operational readiness required to safely transition the whales into the sanctuary before leading their care in this unique natural environment and overseeing their return when required.

Success requires exceptional leadership, technical expertise, resilience and the confidence to make informed decisions in an environment unlike anywhere else in the world.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll lead every aspect of preparing our people, animals and facilities for successful operations within the open-water sanctuary.

Working alongside veterinarians, behaviour specialists, operational teams and international experts, you'll ensure every stage of the transition into — and out of — the bay is delivered safely while maintaining the highest standards of whale welfare.

Lead Whale Readiness

• Lead behavioural training programmes preparing the belugas for life in the sanctuary.
• Develop husbandry programmes that support increased independence in a naturalistic environment.
• Balance animal welfare with appropriate, evidence-based risk management.
• Continuously assess physical and behavioural readiness throughout.

Build Team Readiness

• Develop a confident, resilient and highly capable animal care team.
• Coach individuals through an evolving welfare programme.
• Foster a culture of adaptability, accountability and continuous learning.
• Lead operational planning and emergency preparedness.

Deliver Bay Operations

• Lead the transition into the open-water sanctuary.
• Coordinate daily whale operations in partnership with marine contractors and specialist organisations.
• Oversee boats, logistics and operational readiness.
• Ensure facilities remain fit for purpose.
• Lead decision making during changing environmental conditions.

Shape the Future of Cetacean Welfare

• Help develop welfare practices that may influence future sanctuary projects worldwide.
• Work alongside internationally recognised veterinarians and welfare specialists.
• Contribute to research that advances best practice in the care of captive cetaceans.
• Represent the sanctuary with professional networks and partner organisations.

Qualifications & Experience

We're looking for someone who...

• inspires confidence during periods of change
• combines technical excellence with compassionate leadership
• thrives in complex operational environments
• is comfortable making evidence-based decisions where no textbook answers exist
• can balance welfare, operational needs and calculated risk
• builds resilient, high-performing teams
• remains calm under pressure and leads by example

Four Pillars of Success

Animal ReadinessPreparing the beluga whales for life within the sanctuary.

Team ReadinessBuilding a confident, capable team equipped to deliver exceptional welfare in a unique environment.

Operational ReadinessEnsuring facilities, boats, equipment and systems are prepared for safe operations.

Culture of ResilienceCreating an environment where adaptability, collaboration and continuous improvement underpin everything we do.

Benefits

Why This Role Is Different

Opportunities like this are exceptionally rare.

As Whale Welfare Lead, you'll help shape one of the world's most pioneering cetacean welfare programmes, preparing captive beluga whales for life in an open-water sanctuary while leading an expert team through a complex and evolving operation.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead the world's first open-water beluga whale sanctuary.
• Play a defining role in the transition of the beluga whales into the sanctuary.
• Influence the future of cetacean welfare and sanctuary management.
• Work alongside internationally recognised experts in marine mammal welfare.
• Develop innovative approaches to managing cetaceans in a naturalistic environment.
• Lead an exceptional team through one of the most rewarding and unique animal care roles in the world.
• Live and work in the spectacular natural environment of Iceland.

We're open to considering permanent, fixed-term or secondment opportunities for exceptional candidates. If you're interested in contributing to this unique project but your current circumstances require flexibility, we'd welcome a conversation.

Posted Salary Range

ISK kr815,400/Mo.