Senior Press Officer

• Develop a pipeline of impactful stories: Generate engaging news content that drives visitation during key periods and highlights London Zoo’s leading conservation and science work. Regularly manage press events, including launches, briefings, photo calls, and conferences.
• Deliver integrated publicity campaigns: Use owned and earned channels to maximise reach and impact. Ensure that London Zoo’s media coverage is accurately represented and amplified across ZSL’s websites and social media platforms.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with key journalists and media outlets: Work with national and local press, long-lead publications, and broadcast production teams. Maintain GDPR-compliant and up-to-date contact lists to ensure effective and compliant media outreach.
• Identify and engage high-profile individuals and influencers: Secure their support to generate positive press coverage for ZSL through both opportunistic outreach and long-term strategic campaigns.

• A talented writer and enthusiastic storyteller, with a nose for news and a passion for crafting headlines that make an impact.
• Brings a flexible, proactive, and go-getting approach to daily challenges and shifting priorities.
• Believes in ZSL’s mission and shares our optimism that nature can recover, with a commitment to telling stories that inspire hope and action.
• A journalistic mindset, with the ability to spot, shape, and pitch compelling stories across diverse subject areas, from conservation science to zoo life.
• Builds strong, trusting relationships with a wide range of colleagues including keepers, vets, scientists, educators and senior stakeholders to uncover the best storytelling opportunities.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to lead major media events and engage high-profile individuals with professionalism and care.
• Confident recommending media responses in the absence of the Media Manager, with good judgment and awareness of wider organisational priorities.
• A strong understanding of the UK media landscape, and a track record of delivering impactful press coverage that aligns with organisational goals.

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 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