Brookfield Zoo Chicago is hiring: Public Relations - Public Relations and Media

Join the PRIDE and Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s mission to ignite emotional connections with wildlife that spark conservation action while leading vital programs to protect endangered species. Our beautiful 235-acre campus offers a living classroom that is home to over 3,500 animals representing 500 species. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is embarking on a groundbreaking, ambitious Next Century Plan to achieve our vision. It is the beginning of an exciting transformative journey!

The Public Relations and Media Manager position will provide essential support to the Public Relations Director in executing day-to-day public relations initiatives aimed at promoting the Zoo's events, programs, and conservation efforts. In addition to external communication responsibilities, this position will manage the organization and administration of the zoo’s multimedia assets, such as photo and video content, to be used in external communications campaigns, by media and partners, and within zoological operations.

This is a non-union, fulltime, salaried position, grade 08, with a hiring range of $67,000 to $73,700.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

1. * Support the Director of Public Relations with drafting press materials, building media lists, pitching media stories, and coordinating press conferences, media tours, exhibit openings, media requests, interviews, and onsite visits.
2. * Oversee media monitoring and data collection for the team, tracking media coverage and relevant news stories to develop PR results, analytic reports and internal media highlights/recaps using media monitoring software.
3. * Conduct research on relevant topics, gather data, and prepare reports to support public relations strategies and initiatives.
4. * Support the integration of a digital asset management platform and/or help build a new photo/video organization system to maximize efficiency of sharing multimedia content.
5. * Facilitate the sourcing and sharing of photo and video content for internal and external requests, ensuring timely access to digital assets.
6. * Provide writing support to Communications team members as needed.
7. * Support internal communications initiatives, such as staff newsletter and emails, as needed.
8. Other related duties as assigned.

• Denotes Essential Job Function(s)

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Science, or other related field required.
• Two years’ experience in a comparable public relations capacity required.
• English fluency at a full professional proficiency.
• Strong familiarity with media relations and ability to communicate effectively at a variety of levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and media monitoring/database software programs.
• Strong ability to prioritize workload, multi-task effectively, and work efficiently and responsibly with minimal supervision.
• Sound judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged information.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to build and maintain positive relationships.
• Ability to provide high level of customer service.
• Passion for wildlife conservation, environmental education, and promoting positive change through effective communication.
• Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
• Valid driver’s license required on date of hire.

• Spanish writing and editing experience a plus.
• Experience with Microsoft Word highly desirable.

This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform.

We are pleased that you are considering joining our dedicated team at Brookfield Zoo Chicago (BZC). Below is a summary of Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s generous employee benefits.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer.