Public Affairs Manager

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.

We’re also a team of passionate, talented, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to keep the zoo going, from feeding the animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our 1.9 million visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and we want to be the best zoo in the world!

If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.

We currently have an exciting vacancy for a Public Affairs Manager to join our Marketing and PR team to develop and deliver a public affairs strategy to maximise the external profile of the zoo and its work.

The Role:

• Work with colleagues across the organisation to develop and implement a public affairs strategy which focuses on the issues we wish to champion or respond to, in line with our mission of “preventing extinction” and our strategic objective to be “a voice for change.”
• Establish and maintain regular contact with politicians, civil servants and decision makers in local, regional and national government, regulatory bodies and appropriate organisations to ensure they are appraised of our work and are provided with the appropriate level of detail. This includes regular review, maintenance and updating of databases in accordance with data protection requirements and regulations.
• Monitor proceedings and provide updates and analysis of activities in the Houses of Parliament, government departments, European institutions, political parties, local government, NGOs and other bodies to identify planned and potential debates, new legislation and changes to existing legislation; white papers, policy reviews and other activities which have the potential to impact on conservation, education and / or the work of Chester Zoo, and within which we may wish to have a voice.
• Work with the PR and marketing teams to provide content for newsletters, press releases and other communication materials, in order to share our views / actions on relevant issues.
• Monitor, measure, and evaluate our public affairs work, providing data on reach and impact, and use this data to improve our messaging and campaigning.
• Remain abreast of the work of other organisations engaged in conservation and education and the visitor economy, including other zoos, conservation partners, charities and visitor attractions.

The successful candidate will have:

• Education to degree standard with significant, demonstrable experience of working in public affairs or a related communications function.
• Detailed knowledge of policy development systems and processes, including the legislative process.
• A good network of contacts gained from your work in public affairs to date.
• Evidence of campaign planning experience, and ability to drive a strategy forward.
• Skill in policy horizon-scanning, stakeholder mapping and engagement.
• Good news sense and awareness of wider political context.
• An active interest and commitment to environmental conservation as demonstrated by career path, voluntary work or outside interests.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret, monitor and distil complex information / data quickly and accurately.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage in a fast-paced, dynamic and results-driven environment.
• Ability to self-support own work, managing own systems, admin and diary.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work with a range of stakeholders at varying levels, including Trustees, politicians, and civil servants.
• Competent user of Microsoft Word, Excel and CRM systems.
• Experience / knowledge of working in public affairs for a conservation focussed organisation is desirable.

Hours of work are 40 hours per week Monday to Friday, with a 30 minute lunch break. Some weekend and evening working may be required, for which time off in lieu will be given. 

The salary for this role is £36,013.51 per annum and in addition we offer a range of amazing benefits. To apply provide your current CV and complete the application form highlighting your skills and experience including why you believe you should be considered for our Public Affairs Manager role.