Internal Communications Manager

• 5613
• Chester Zoo
• Chester
• Permanent, Full Time
• Salary of £34,458 + opportunity for hybrid working

Internal Communications Manager - Permanent contract, 40 hours per week

An exciting new role working within the Communications team at Chester Zoo, with the opportunity for hybrid working. You will be responsible for managing internal communications across the charity, from strategy development to delivery across all channels.

We are Chester Zoo

We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

The Role – Internal Communications Manager

As an Internal Communications Manager, you will look after all elements of internal communications across our charity, ensuring we plan and deliver effective communications via online and offline events, intranet, email, newsletter, video, and other channels. By facilitating a two-way conversation to fully immerse and engage all zoo staff in our charitable mission to prevent extinction, you’ll help to shape how all colleagues feel about working at the zoo, ensuring everyone is informed, connected, engaged, valued, and heard.  

Your duties will include:

• Leading and developing the zoo’s internal communications strategy
• Creating and publishing compelling and engaging content, including copy, video, and photography
• Building excellent working relationships and working with multiple stakeholders, including our PR, Marketing and People teams, as well as other members of the Senior Management Team, up to and including CEO level

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes… 

We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.  

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package - Internal Communications Manager

• Permanent contract
• 40 hours per week, worked predominately Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. Weekend work will be required one weekend a month as part of our on-call rota
• Salary of £34,458 per annum
• Flexibility for hybrid working, subject to manager approval
• 33 days annual leave
• Access to healthcare plan
• Employer contributory pension scheme
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus a number of complimentary tickets for your friends and family

Our Requirements - Internal Communications Manager

• Extensive experience in an internal communications role ideally for a major brand / organisation
• Solid experience of strategy development and channel planning
• Knowledge of publishing systems and experience in content creation, specifically video
• Excellent video shoot and editing skills, ideally using Adobe Creative Suite and packages such as Premiere Pro, Lightroom and Photoshop (or equivalent)
• Excellent copywriting skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with strong stakeholder management skills, and able to influence at all levels
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and prioritise multiple competing priorities

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Experience in media relations
• Photography skills  
• Event management experience

How To Apply

To apply for this position, please click the ‘apply’ button on this page where you’ll be redirected to the vacancy on the Chester Zoo website. You will then be required to provide your current CV and complete the application form highlighting your skills and experience including why you believe you should be considered for this Internal Communications Manager role.

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for the role will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once the successful candidate is found. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.