Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Communications Manager (Conservation Zoos)
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Purpose of the Role
The Communications Manager is responsible for shaping and delivering strategic communications that protect and enhance the reputation, profile, and public understanding of ZSL’s Zoos.
Acting as a trusted communications adviser to Zoo leadership teams, operational colleagues, and subject matter experts, the role provides expert guidance on messaging, audience engagement, reputational risk, and communications opportunities. The postholder will ensure that communications activity is planned, coordinated, and aligned to organizational priorities, helping colleagues communicate clearly and confidently with external audiences. They will proactively monitor the external landscape to identify emerging reputational risks, contentious issues, and opportunities, providing strategic counsel to ensure communications and media plans are developed with appropriate foresight, sensitivity, and risk mitigation.
The role leads the development of compelling earned media and storytelling activity for London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, while also working across owned, shared, and partner channels to maximize reach and impact. It translates animal, visitor experience, and commercial priorities into clear, audience-focused communications that build support for ZSL’s mission and strengthen the Zoos’ role as trusted, relevant, and inspiring visitor attractions and conservation organizations.
This role is based in our Regent's Park office and is expected to be onsite for three to four days per week due to the nature of the role.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a trusted communications adviser to Zoo leadership teams, operational colleagues, and subject matter experts, providing guidance on messaging, audience impact, media engagement, and reputational risk.
- Lead proactive earned media activity for the Zoos, developing compelling stories, press releases, media pitches, and features that build profile, understanding, and brand support.
- Embed communications planning early in key Zoo projects, campaigns, animal moments, operational changes, and public-facing initiatives.
- Identify communications opportunities and risks, advising colleagues on the most appropriate approach, timing, channels, and narrative.
- Translate animal care, visitor experience, and commercial priorities into clear, engaging, and audience-focused communications.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
- Experience of developing and delivering communications plans that support organizational priorities, reputation, and audience engagement.
- Proven experience of delivering proactive earned media activity, including identifying stories, writing press materials, pitching to journalists, and securing quality coverage.
- Confidence in delivering breadth and depth of a full range of content production, from press promotion to developing content, reels, and social media content for a range of channels and audiences.
- Ability to act as a credible communications adviser, providing clear guidance on messaging, audience impact, reputational risk, and channel approach.
- Strong storytelling skills, with the ability to identify compelling narratives from animal, conservation, science, visitor experience, and commercial activity.
This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
ZSL recognizes that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.
About ZSL
We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivaled 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’re 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.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
What do we offer?
At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:
- Our vision and purpose - You’ll 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 - 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 - 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays.
- Wellbeing - Access to a blended program of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Life assurance - Eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day.
- Complimentary tickets - 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 for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work.
- Family friendly policies - We offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages.
We may close this role early or extend the closing date due to the number of applications we receive, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We anonymize applications until the interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It’s important to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over-reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application.
If you have any questions about this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at - recruitment@zsl.org.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location