Who will lead the Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen animal park in the near future? Dozens of people have responded to the vacancy for a new director.
“It is a function that appeals to the imagination. There is a lot of enthusiasm,” says spokeswoman Hanneke Wijshake. “So much that the headhunting agency had to make a shortlist. They also actively approached people.”
According to Wijshake, who does not want to give an exact number, there is a good male-female ratio among the candidates and quite a few come from the region. “That is also our requirement. Someone must live in the Northern Netherlands region or be willing to move here. You’re the final boss, then it’s very convenient that you live here.”
Departure Of Angels
The vacancy has arisen due to the imminent departure of interim director Erik van Engelen. The 54-year-old Haarlemmer was brought in in 2018 as a problem solver at the ailing zoo. After the debut year of 2016, in which 1.3 million visitors passed through the gate, the number of visitors had plummeted to 850,000. The park suffered millions in losses.
Simultaneously with his appointment, a search for a new permanent director also started. However, it was discontinued when the problems turned out to be bigger than expected.
Van Engelen thinks the time is now ripe to go. He leaves behind a ten-year plan for the new helmsman to adhere to. This plan is based on improving the current park, with a focus on animal welfare and attention to nature and the environment. No major expansions with new themed areas are planned. The idea is that Wildlands can grow in a financially healthy way in this way.
Elaborate on ten-year plan
Wijshake: ,,We shouldn’t have someone here who thinks: I’m going to change everything. The new director must build on the ten-year plan. Everyone is satisfied with this: internally, the Supervisory Board and the municipality. The noses are pointing in the same direction.”
The general director/director will also have final responsibility for the Atlas Theater, which has its own director. The newcomer does not necessarily need to have an understanding of animals or theater, because according to Wijshake that expertise is sufficiently present on the work floor.
“We are looking for a connector that brings everything together. Someone who knows how to motivate people in the workplace, has a decent network, knows his way around politics and knows how to behave on official occasions. Someone who stands there, even in difficult times.”
External money
The vacancy also states that the new director must know how and where to find external sources of funding and subsidies. At the moment, Wildlands does not receive a municipal subsidy. The park did receive a one-off 625,000 euros from the province of Drenthe for the renovation of the entrance square.
“In the case of additional resources, you can think of subsidies for sustainability, for example. It’s good to know which pots there are and which ones fit the park.”
The application period has now closed. The talks will take place in the coming weeks. The aim is to have the new director start working before the summer.