Communications Manager (Strategic Projects)

The Communications Manager for our strategic projects and programmes will lead the development and delivery of strategic communications and stakeholder engagement planning for ZSL’s major organisation-wide programmes and capital projects, ensuring complex and high-profile initiatives are translated into clear, compelling and accessible narratives for diverse audiences. The role will shape and implement integrated communications and engagement plans that build understanding, trust and advocacy among key stakeholders, including local communities, partners, funders and colleagues.

The role is hybrid, with expectations to be working onsite for two days per week in our Regent's Park office and occasional travel to Whipsnade Zoo, as required.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development of integrated, insight-led communications strategies for major organisational programmes and capital projects, ensuring alignment with ZSL’s corporate objectives, conservation mission, and brand narrative.
• Design and deliver comprehensive stakeholder engagement plans for major capital projects, including mapping, prioritisation and tailored approaches for communities, partners, public bodies and other key audiences.
• Develop high-quality communications materials and content, such as briefings, Q&As, presentations, digital content and engagement collateral, that effectively communicate project aims, progress and impact.
• Provide expert strategic advice and guidance to senior leaders, project teams and partners on communications approach, messaging, timing and delivery to support successful outcomes.
• Anticipate, identify and manage potential reputational risks, ensuring proactive planning, consistent messaging and alignment with wider organisational priorities and external context.

About You:

• Specific experience with major urban redevelopment schemes involving complex stakeholder groups including neighbours and planning officials and extensive professional teams
• Significant experience in corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, or public affairs roles, with a clear track record of leading high-quality, strategically aligned communications activity within complex organisational environments.
• Proven experience of developing and delivering communications strategies for large-scale, high-profile projects or programmes, ideally involving multiple workstreams, competing priorities and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the confidence and credibility to influence, challenge constructively and build trust with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Detailed technical knowledge gained from intense involvement in multi-year, high profile, regeneration and property development projects across a range of occupier categories

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

About ZSL:

ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.

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

We anonymise applications until interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It’s important to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application.

If you have any questions about this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at - recruitment@zsl.org