Job Description

ZSL - London Zoo

South East

Closing date for applications is: 26th Nov 2023




Contact:
Recruitment Team (recruitment@zsl.org)


Sector:
PR/Marketing


Type:
Paid


Contract type:
Full-time


Salary:
\xc2\xa340,690
Position Details: Position: Senior Press Officer \xe2\x80\x93 London Zoo (Press department, full-time, three-year fixed term contract) Salary: \xc2\xa340,690 (Inclusive of London Weighting) per annum Location: Regents Park/Hybrid Overview of the Role World leading conservation zoo, London Zoo is seeking a dynamic storyteller to lead its media outreach as its new senior press officer. Reporting into the ZSL Media Manager and working within the wider ZSL (Zoological Society of London) PR and publishing team, the senior press officer primarily focuses on formulating and implementing an ongoing programme of strategic media activity for London Zoo, helping to meet key commercial targets while building, reinforcing and protecting London Zoo\xe2\x80\x99s position as the world leading conservation zoo. The senior press officer supports the marketing team with timely and impactful media outreach to meet London Zoo\xe2\x80\x99s visitor targets and maintains its world-class reputation. They are responsible for delivering media coverage which ensures the conservation goals of ZSL are appreciated and understood by London Zoo\xe2\x80\x99s audiences - specifically targeting UK national mass media and key online and regional outlets. The senior press officer will deputise to the media manager, ensuring the delivery of day-to-day outputs of the team as well as contributing to long term strategic communications plans, and take a lead on copywriting and reputational management issues in the absence of the media manager. In addition to establishing a clear rolling programme for London Zoo media coverage, the senior press officer will develop a process for generating a consistent supply of high-quality brand-building news releases. An excellent writer and enthusiastic storyteller, the senior press officer is a self-starter with a strong news-nose and has a thorough understanding of the needs and workings of national, local and online media (ideally having firsthand experience of working as a journalist themselves). Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a programme of hard-hitting news stories and establish an effective process of identifying and creating media opportunities for London Zoo.
• Create a programme of impactful news stories for London Zoo which encourage potential visitors at key periods and maintain awareness of our conservation and science work. Manage press conferences, media launches, briefings and photo calls on a regular basis.
• Develop and run publicity campaigns using owned and earned channels to maximise reach and impact and ensure London Zoo\xe2\x80\x99s news output is adequately and accurately represented on our websites and social media channels.
• Maintain excellent relationships internally and externally; uphold the press team\xe2\x80\x99s strong working relationships with key members of ZSL staff and foster and develop ZSL\xe2\x80\x99s relationships with key national and regional journalists, and identify and approach appropriate high-profile individuals to secure their support, with the aim of securing press coverage for ZSL.
• Deputise to the media manager when absent or otherwise engaged, to ensure that all outputs and duties of the PR and Publishing team continue seamlessly, and the wider communications team are continually supported.

The ideal candidate will:

• An excellent writer, with an aptitude for identifying strong news stories and getting them into key media titles.
• The post requires a strong track record in producing a programme of high impact media releases. It would ideally require experience of working as a journalist or similar in a busy news environment.
• Experience of communicating scientific information is extremely important.
• Expected to be up to date with global events, and have the ability to spot opportune news moments, the ideal candidate will be seeking out opportunities for ZSL to provide media commentary or share expertise on relevant topics \xe2\x80\x93 while being considerate of any risks associated with doing so.
• A flexible approach to work, and an ability to adapt to last-minute changes to plans will stand the senior press officer in good stead, and they will take part in a duty-rota for covering out of hours press queries related to the full breadth of ZSL\xe2\x80\x99s work and be expected to take an active role in delivering ZSL\xe2\x80\x99s wider communications objectives.
• The post will be expected to be able to interface at all levels across the organisation in order to maintain excellent internal awareness and buy-in for the press and publication team\xe2\x80\x99s work, as well as to source content and produce the necessary media schedule.
• The senior press officer will be responsible for managing ZSL\xe2\x80\x99s relationships with a variety of important stakeholders, from senior journalists to high-profile individuals and celebrities, and is expected to maintain ZSL\xe2\x80\x99s positive reputation with these.
• The post holder will have excellent relationship management skills and be able to maintain key links with relevant policy and external partners.

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. About Us We\xe2\x80\x99re 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 going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we\xe2\x80\x99re 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. What do we offer? At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Our vision and purpose - you\xe2\x80\x99ll 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 \xe2\x80\x93 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 \xe2\x80\x93 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays
• Wellbeing \xe2\x80\x93 access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Complimentary tickets \xe2\x80\x93 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 to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work
• Family friendly policies \xe2\x80\x93 we offer enhanced maternity and paternity packages