Job Description

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. 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. Through the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists and our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos, our purpose is to inspire, inform and employer people to stop wild animals going extinct.

Role Profile

ZSL is seeking a highly credible and expert communicator to be our new Principal Lead, Marketing and Engagement, who will provide operational and strategic leadership to the Marketing and Engagement team at both Zoos. This new role will lead on the development of an exciting engagement plan to transform the focus of our marketing and engagement activities across all areas of ZSL. The engagement plan is critical to raising awareness, understanding and support for ZSL as one of the leading animal conservation charities in the world, as well as ZSL’s sub-brands – namely ZSL London Zoo, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and The Institute of Zoology, as well as our Conservation and Policy work.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director of Zoos and Engagement, this critical role will also work collaboratively with staff nationally and internationally to deliver the public facing components of ZSL strategy including enhancing ZSL’s digital and social media presence, communication channels, writing and storytelling, community engagement, marketing, branding, public relations, operational and program support, workflow development and practical learning elements already in place, whilst leading innovative new approaches to integrate conservation, education and zoology. The position will also own and manage the full customer and supporter journey which involves providing marketing support, improving membership performance and providing creative content to help ensure public programmes are delivered to a high quality.

The Principal Lead, Marketing and Engagement position requires a confident, resilient and proactive individual who has gravitas and is capable of making operational decisions on a global scale and can think strategically. We are a team with great ambition that continuously seeks to improve our work and are keen to meet candidates with previous experience or are currently operating as a Director of Marketing and Engagement / Head of Marketing and/or Engagement and holds extensive experience working with a range of stakeholders. The successful candidate will also possess exceptional people and project-management skills, and be comfortable carrying out consumer insight projects, market research and customer surveys to assess satisfaction, demand, brand positioning and awareness.

This is a fantastic and exciting new opportunity for the successful candidate to take on a senior post within an established international organisation. You must be genuinely excited by the prospect of joining a world leading conservation charity such as ZSL to help us deliver an exceptional visitor experience at both zoos, achieve target visitor numbers and visitor satisfaction KPIs and ensuring the admission spends, income and visitor experience is monitored, managed and constantly improved.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To devise and lead an engagement plan that contributes to ZSL’ purpose and provides engagement routes on ZSL’s three priority areas.
• Oversee all engagement activities as well as those not within their direct team which will involve working with all ZSL senior management.
• Own and manage the full customer and supporter journeys for ZSL which will involve providing marketing support to both Zoos (undertaken by the Head of Marketing) and leading the ZSL Membership performance.
• Deliver public facing components of ZSL’s strategy encompassing public engagement with the conservation and science aspect of ZSL and support fundraising and key projects.
• Oversee the strategic content development and develop a creative culture within the team.
• Provide the creative content for the two Zoos, including programming and working closely with the COOS for the Zoos.
• Ensure the Zoo permanent developments and exhibits and other public programmes are delivered to a high quality.
• Oversee and develop the formal, informal and practical learning elements already in place whilst leading innovative new approaches to conservation, education and zoology.
• Full accountability for all ZSL digital platforms including the website, social media platforms and email.
• Lead on crisis management plans and manage public reputational issues across ZSL.
• Deputise for the MD Zoos & Engagement whenever required.

Person Specification

ZSL accepts and welcomes all applications for this position however ideal candidates will have a Marketing, Engagement, or Communication career background, and will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Proven senior marketing experience developing and implementing marketing strategies or plans matched to commercial and wider business objectives.
• Track record of developing and embedding strategic plans for marketing and engagement at a senior level in a diverse organisation
• Experience of engagement to drive a triple bottom line – commercial engagement, people engagement and engagement to deliver conservation impact
• Experience in leading and managing large teams
• Proven experience of delivering high impact brand marketing campaigns as part of an integrated campaign.
• Experience of spreadsheets and financial reporting is essential.
• Track record in delivering marketing campaigns across various digital social media channels
• Evidence of driving multi-million income streams in a visitor attraction setting
• Experience of developing membership programmes
• Experience of building business cases for marketing visitor attractions
• Demonstrable impact in engagement for a large complex charity or similar organisation to ZSL
• An ability to manage competing priorities and delegate effectively is essential
• Strategic judgement and problem solving essential
• Strong people management and emotional intelligence

Please note: This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent position reporting to the Managing Director of Zoos and Engagement. The post will be based at ZSL’s head office in Regents Park with frequent travel to the Whipsnade site.

Benefit Package:

This role offers a competitive salary plus a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days holiday, stakeholder pension where the employer minimum contribution is 7%, complimentary zoo tickets and more.

To Apply

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button. If you have any queries regarding this position or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources.

Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) Sunday 25th November 2018.

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.

ZSL kindly requests no contact from agencies or media sales please regarding this position.