Public Relations and Content Development Manager at Santa Barbara Zoo | Santa Barbara, CA | $36/hr – $40/hr

Santa Barbara Zoo

Public Relations and Content Development Manager

Santa Barbara, CA (On-site)

$36/hr – $40/hrManager5+ years expPart time

Posted 5 months ago

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Job Summary

Lead external communications and marketing for the organization, coordinating PR, media relations, and content to elevate donor engagement and public visibility.

Own press materials, media pitches, and campaigns from concept to distribution.
Must-have: 5–7 years of marketing/PR with cross-functional project leadership.
Standout: translate programs into compelling stories with multimedia assets and strategic audience targeting.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Manage external communication of organizational priorities, news, press releases, and media pitching.
Continually identify PR and other earned-media opportunities, internally and externally (through partners and community stakeholders).
Storytelling & Impact: Translate program work and field data into compelling stories that highlight impact to donors and the public.
Craft high‑quality press releases, media advisories, story pitches, and communication materials.
Liaise and collaborate with in-house digital media specialist and photographer to package press releases with video, photos (or other multimedia).
Build and maintain relationships with journalists, media outlets, and community communication partners.
Monitor media coverage, analyze trends, and provide insights and recommendations to leadership.
Lead planning, content direction, and editorial workflow for recurring e‑newsletters and digital communication campaigns.
Oversee distribution strategy, audience segmentation, and message optimization.
Analyze campaign performance, report insights to leadership, and adjust strategy to drive engagement and growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field preferred.
5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or digital strategy.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute communication plans, write press materials, and manage digital content.
Experience with email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or similar) and performance analytics.
Strong background in social media strategy, content planning, or community engagement.
Proven ability to lead cross‑functional projects in a fast‑paced environment with multiple deadlines.
Track record of contributing to measurable outcomes, such as: audience growth, engagement, and brand visibility.

Preferred

Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven environments is beneficial, but not required.
Prior experience supporting or advising senior leadership on communications strategy is strongly preferred.

Benefits

Company parties
Employee discounts
Flexible schedule
Free uniforms
Paid time off
Training & development

Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo is dedicated to the preservation, conservation and enhancement of the natural world and its living treasures through education, research and recreation.

Founded in 1963

Santa Barbara, California, USA

131 employees (9 in marketing)

www.sbzoo.org