Press Officer

**Purpose of the role**:
**Overview of the role**:
Can you sniff out news like a lion hunting for its dinner? Are you as observant as an owl and inquisitive as a chimp? If you’ve answered yes, then Whipsnade Zoo might be the place for you.

Recruiting for a new full-time, permanent, Whipsnade Zoo press officer, the globally-renowned conservation zoo is looking for a compelling communicator with a skill for telling engaging stories about animals, nature and conservation.

The Press Officer is responsible for promoting Whipsnade Zoo as a world class visitor attraction, encouraging footfall to the zoo at key periods, while continually ensuring audiences are aware of the global conservation impact of the UK’s largest zoo. They will deliver media outreach which maintains the conservation Zoo’s reputation as a centre of zoological excellence through communication of its pioneering animal care and welfare, and exemplary veterinary care.

With a keen nose for news and the ability to uncover compelling stories and deliver impactful news coverage, the press officer will work with the wider communications, zoological and public affairs teams to deliver positive, inspiring and impactful coverage to raise the profile of Whipsnade Zoo to key audiences.

**Key responsibilities**:

- Develop and implement a programme of impactful news stories and establish an effective process of identifying and creating media opportunities for Whipsnade Zoo.
- Create a programme of media outreach for Whipsnade Zoo which encourages potential visitors at key periods and high 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 ZSL’s news output is adequately and accurately represented on our websites and social media channels.
- Maintain excellent relationships internally and externally; uphold the press team’s strong working relationships with key members of ZSL staff and foster and develop ZSL’s 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.
- Take an active role in the day-to-day function of the ZSL press office. Ensure contribution to shared outputs and duties of the PR and Publishing team, and the wider communications team are always aware of planned media outputs.
- Take part in a duty out of hours phone rota.

**About You**:

- An ambitious and tenacious approach to generating media approach is needed to ensure that Whipsnade Zoo and its role with the global conservation charity ZSL is widely understood and appreciated.
- A flexible approach to work, and an ability to confidently capitalise on short-notice opportunities will stand the Whipsnade Zoo Press Officer in good stead.
- They will take part in a duty-phone rota for covering out of hours press queries related to the full breadth of ZSL’s work and be expected to take an active role in delivering ZSL’s wider communications objectives.
- This post will require outside working with direct exposure to the weather and animals.
- A full driving license is required for this role.

**About Us**:
We’re 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’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.

**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 programme 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 lo