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PR Manager
Chester Zoo is one of the UK's most visited attractions and one of the world's leading wildlife conservation charities. We've generated billions of media impressions, launched a BAFTA-nominated documentary series, and built one of the biggest zoo social media presences in the world.
Now, we're looking for a PR Manager to help write the next chapter in our story.
This isn't a job where you're pushing out product launches or managing corporate announcements. It's about telling stories that make people stop and pay attention - species on the brink of extinction, science that's changing the future for wildlife, and an organisation that’s been doing extraordinary things for 95 years.
The Role
As PR Manager and a key member of Chester Zoo's external affairs team, you'll lead the press office at one of the UK's highest profile conservation organisations - driving the earned media campaigns that keep Chester Zoo in the national and international conversation and bringing our conservation work to audiences around the world.
Reporting to the Senior Media Manager, you'll be part of a talented team of communications specialists - working alongside experts in content, social media, and science and conservation storytelling - with the shared purpose of promoting and protecting Chester Zoo's reputation, growing its influence as the national conservation zoo and telling the story of one of the country's most recognisable conservation brands.
Your focus will be the media - building and maintaining an enviable network of journalist contacts, spotting opportunities, briefing spokespeople up to director level and making sure Chester Zoo's story reaches the right people at the right time.
When things move fast, and they will, you'll be the steadiest voice in the room. You'll play a leading role in the zoo's crisis communications, provide counsel to senior leaders, and make clear, confident decisions when complex situations emerge.
Great PR here drives visits to the zoo, supports fundraising initiatives, attracts vital partnerships, influences a wide range of audiences and helps more people connect with our mission to prevent extinction. The impact of what you do will be visible - and significant.
What You’ll Be Doing
Media relations
- Lead proactive and reactive media campaigns from first idea through to delivery, generating international, national and regional coverage.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists across broadcast, print and digital media.
- Work with other colleagues in the communications team to produce high-quality press releases, reactive statements and other media materials.
- Act as a primary media contact, handling a high volume of media enquiries with speed, accuracy and sound judgement.
- Support our work with television, radio and documentary production teams, managing relationships from initial conversations through to broadcast.
- Brief and prepare spokespeople for media interviews, including at director level, helping build confidence and capability over time.
- Build effective media pitches for targeted journalists and media outlets to maximise reach and coverage.
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Reputation and crisis communications
- Play an active role in building and protecting Chester Zoo's reputation - monitoring the media landscape, identifying opportunities to strengthen our standing and spotting risks before they develop.
- Support Chester Zoo's crisis communications when required, advising senior leaders and making decisive calls during fast-moving situations.
- Coordinate communications to ensure consistent messaging across all channels.
- Maintain and continually improve the zoo's crisis communications procedures and plans.
- Be part of an out-of-hours on call PR rota.
Strategy and partnerships
- Develop and deliver communications strategies that support the zoo's mission, drive visitation and help achieve other organisational goals.
- Plan and deliver earned media campaigns around the zoo's biggest moments to maximise impact.
- Turn complex conservation work and scientific research into exciting stories journalists genuinely want to cover.
- Lead partner communications across multiple departments, including academic and corporate partnerships.
- Build trusted relationships with scientists, conservationists, commercial teams and senior leaders across the organisation.
- Work alongside specialist communications colleagues to amplify Chester Zoo's conservation voice.
- Provide strategic communications advice, making timely decisions about what is communicated externally, to whom and when.
Content and evaluation
- Ensure PR stories are amplified across Chester Zoo's owned channels.
- Bring a strong understanding of visual storytelling, recognising what makes compelling photography and video and how they can maximise earned and social media coverage.
- Contribute to integrated campaign and content planning, including close collaboration with colleagues in our marketing team.
- Measure and evaluate PR activity, using insights, analytical tools and software to improve future campaigns and demonstrate impact.
- Produce regular reports that measure campaign performance against agreed objectives and KPIs.
What We’re Looking For
We're looking for someone who combines sharp news judgement with strategic thinking and is motivated by work they can be proud of. Specifically, you'll bring:
- Significant (minimum three years) experience in a busy, high-volume press office or newsroom - ideally in conservation, leisure, tourism, or at another high-profile organisation.
- A track record of securing outstanding media coverage that delivers organisational impact.
- Excellent relationships with journalists and a sharp instinct for a strong story.
- Experience handling both positive media opportunities and sensitive, high-profile issues with equal confidence.
- Proven experience in reputation management, crisis communications and advising senior decision-makers
- Confidence preparing and coaching spokespeople, including senior leaders.
- Outstanding writing skills and the ability to produce high-quality work quickly under pressure.
- A strong understanding of visual storytelling and how imagery and video strengthen earned and owned media campaigns.
- Experience working with broadcast media and television production crews.
- Strong organisational skills, sound judgement and the confidence to make decisions independently.
- A passion for conservation and wildlife. We’re first and foremost a charity and you’ll need to believe in what we’re doing.
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Why this role?
The external affairs team here has built a reputation that many PR professionals would envy. From global conservation successes and unforgettable animal stories to high-profile documentaries and national fundraising campaigns, you'll work on stories with real reach and real significance.
If you want to do work that genuinely makes a difference, with a team that cares about it - this is your chance.
The package:
- This is a predominantly Monday to Friday position, 8.30am-5pm, 40 hours per week. Because you'll be telling the stories of everything that happens here, much of your time will be based at the zoo, although hybrid working of up to two days a week is available where possible.
- Occasional evening and weekend working will be required to support media opportunities. Time off in lieu is provided.
- Permanent contract
- £40,430 based on 40 hours per week
- 33 days annual leave, increasing with length of service
- Free zoo membership for yourself plus one other (and dependents where applicable) plus complimentary tickets for friends and family
- Healthcare plan and Employee Assistance Programme including counselling and legal advice
- Holiday buy-sell scheme - purchase or sell up to five extra days per year
- Pension contributions of up to 9%
- Cycle to work scheme - save at least 25% on a bike and accessories
- Monthly gym membership discount
- Heavily subsidised staff canteen
- Free onsite parking
- Free travel on the X1 bus service
- Discounts on cinema, restaurants, high street shops and more.
Please include examples of media coverage you've secured (press cuttings, links or a portfolio) with your application. This is an essential requirement for the role. If you experience any difficulties, please contact us at recruitment@chesterzoo.org.
The application deadline is Sunday 2 August 2026.
We expect to begin interviewing as applications are received and may close the vacancy early if we find the right candidate, so early applications are encouraged.
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