Public Relations and Content Development Manager

Santa Barbara, CA (Unknown)

$36/hr – $40/hrSenior Level5+ years expPart time

Posted 5 months ago

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Job Summary

Lead PR and content development to raise awareness and public engagement for the Zoo, overseeing media relations, storytelling, and digital campaigns.

  • Own media relations strategy, press materials, and cross‑department content planning.
  • Must-have: 5–7 years in marketing/PR with proven ability to write press materials and manage digital content.
  • Standout: Leadership within a marketing team and collaboration with a VP on strategy.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Media & Public Relations Management
  • 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.

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.

Preferred

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

Benefits

  • Company parties
  • Employee discounts
  • Flexible schedule
  • Free uniforms
  • Paid time off
  • Training & development
Santa Barbara Zoo logo

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)

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
36.4K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
58.3%
Direct
34.3%
Referral
5.4%
Social
1.2%
Paid
0.8%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~131

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
3 (2% of company)

Recent News