Guided by a visionary new strategic plan, Woodland Park Zoo is embarking on a period of great change and innovation. A key focus area is to build community leadership through increased visibility of our CEO, Executive Team and senior managers. Internally, we are shaping this organization's future by using strategic and inspirational communications with our own employees. To this end, we seek a talented writer and engagement professional to shepherd communications to these internal and external audiences.
We are interested in an individual who is creative, resourceful and able to find great engagement opportunities for zoo leaders, crafting content that aligns with our new strategic plan and creating messages that both inform and excite our internal audiences.
A core member of the Advancement Team's Department of Engagement, this position increases the community's understanding and support of the zoo's new mission and vision as described in the strategic plan. Responsibilities include working with zoo leadership to design and execute a comprehensive communications platform including strategic engagement and messaging, providing senior-level communications counsel, identifying and delivering meaningful opportunities for speaking engagements and managing development of materials such as presentations, speeches, blogs and op-eds.
Special emphasis is on creating thought-leader opportunities that make the zoo accessible to all people through storytelling, speeches and message development. Embodying the core brand narrative in all that we do is key to the success of this position.
This position focuses on deepening and improving internal employee communications by encouraging authenticity, improving our processes, making best use of technology, wisely using resources and sparking helpful dialogue.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
External Audience:
- Work with the CEO and executives to design and execute a comprehensive engagement strategy, including measurements, objectives and messages;
- Provide senior-level communications counsel;
- Identify and deliver opportunities for speaking engagements;
- Write for a wide variety of readers, from academic to lay audiences;
- Manage and develop materials such as presentations, speeches, white papers, blogs, op-eds, etc.;
- Align and leverage communications efforts with colleagues across the zoo;
- Oversee a thought-leadership framework as well as calendar to coordinate engagement opportunities for zoo leaders; and
- Conceptualize and create infographics and other visuals that accurately and poignantly represent the organization and its outcomes.
Internal Audiences:
- Advise the executive team and senior leaders on staff communications;
- Manage an internal communications audit, reviewing current communications and supporting the VP of Engagement in systems improvements; and
- Develop timely, compelling content for a variety of internal channels, including but not limited to all-employee letters from the CEO, organizational policy notifications or other staff communications.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Experience must include building multi-functional, well-rounded communications strategies
- Experience in managing projects and budgets
- Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Exceptional skills in developing presentation materials such as PowerPoints, infographics and other impactful visuals
- Strong customer-service orientation and the ability to work collaboratively and effectively under pressure.
- Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, plan and execute strategic communication projects for discerning audiences with various desired outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully as part of cross-disciplinary teams, and success in maintaining strong working relationships with internal and external constituencies.
- Commitment to the mission of the zoo.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in business, public relations, journalism or marketing from a four-year college or university. Seven or more years of corporate, nonprofit and/or consulting/agency, marketing and public engagement experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid WA Driver's License required
COMPUTER SKILLS
Proficient in Microsoft Office, including advanced computer skills in Word, Excel, Outlook andPowerPoint. Expertise in design software a plus.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
MATHEMATICAL ABILITY
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to understand and interpret basic financial statements and reports.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Attending meetings may require relocating to buildings anywhere within the 92-acre campus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Some work may be performed near moving mechanical parts. Occasionally, this position may work amidst outdoor weather conditions.
APPLICATION DIRECTIONS
Applications are only accepted online through our Jobs page at www.zoo.org; no other forms of application will be accepted. Cover letter and resume are REQUIRED when applying for this position. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are due prior to 12:00 AM on the posted Close date (i.e. by 11:59 PM the evening before).
Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.
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