Posted : 17 January 2025
Organisation : World Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)
Location : Barcelona, Spain
Salary : €45.000 – €48.000 Annual Gross, (will vary depending on the experience) 20 Euros gross per month if remote work agreement is signed
Benefits : 200 Euros per month in ticket restaurants
Employment type : Full-time, permanent contract. Remote work two days a week. Flexible work hours (bandwidth 07 : 00 – 19 : 00)
Posts responsible to : Chief Executive Officer
Posts responsible for : Communications Assistant
Overview and job purpose
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is seeking a dedicated, creative, experienced individual to serve as Head of Communications to lead the strategic development of WAZA’s communications on behalf of WAZA and its members. The WAZA Head of Communications will help shape the public perception and appreciation of the global zoo and aquarium community and help position WAZA and its members in playing an integrated role in addressing key issues such as animal welfare, conservation, and sustainable development, among others.
The Head of Communications will oversee all aspects of internal and external communications for WAZA and its members, in collaboration with the WAZA Executive Office and other relevant parties, and will monitor global events, both to identify areas of opportunity and areas of concern.
The Head of Communications will create and implement strategies designed to showcase the work of WAZA and its members and raise the general appreciation of the global progressive zoo and aquarium community.
Key Accountabilities / Primary Responsibilities :
Scope :
- Lead the strategic development of the communications function, including media, social media, and communications.
- In support of the WAZA Partnership and Advocacy Strategy, develop WAZA’s political profile and promote WAZA policies.
- Develop content and assets for distribution to the media and across WAZA’s channels, including social media, the website, newsletters, blogs, and others.
- Use media knowledge to maximize strategic opportunities and manage reputational risk.
- Develop and oversee WAZA’s communications preparedness in the event of a major incident.
- Manage a budget of approximately 53.000 euros per annum.
- Direct line management of the Communications Assistant.
- Reach agreed engagement targets, including media, social media, and newsletters.
Communications Head Responsibilities :
Strategic Leadership
Spearhead the strategic evolution of the communications function, devising innovative strategies.Manage resource allocation for present and future needs, establishing and monitoring targets and budgets across media, social media, communications, and member engagement.Content and Engagement Management
Oversee the creation and dissemination of content across all communication channels, including media, social media, websites, newsletters, blogs, and others.Drive audience engagement by ensuring consistent, high-quality communication.Advisory and Media Representation
Provide expert communications guidance to the WAZA strategy, including the CEO and executive team.Act as a primary media contact and spokesperson, conducting interviews as necessary.Uphold the highest standards of factual accuracy while adhering to legal and ethical media requirements.Networking and Relationship Building
Identify and pursue high-value networking opportunities with media representatives.Maintain and enhance relationships with key parties in the zoo and aquarium sectors, media, and other key sectors to share best practices and bolster the organisation’s reputation.Brand and Reputation Management
Safeguard and enhance the organisation’s public image, advising senior management and the CEO on brand-related matters.Oversee the organisation’s readiness to respond to major incidents.Communications and Marketing
Develop and execute WAZA’s communications and marketing strategies, including detailed work plans.Manage the production of key publications such as the quarterly members’ magazine and the Annual Report.Ensure regular updates and management of the WAZA website, social media channels, and online resources.Design graphics for digital and print communication needs.Lead the development of WAZA’s trend reports and communications campaigns.Support collaboration initiatives like Reverse the Red through communication efforts.Edit and proofread communications to ensure consistency and quality.Media and Public Relations
Publish press releases, articles, weekly electronic newsletters, and member announcements.Develop relationships with key media outlets to secure mainstream coverage.Monitor media-related developments among WAZA member zoos and aquariums and prepare timely responses.Data Analytics and Reporting
Oversee monthly social media analytics and measurements to inform strategy.Collaboration and Outreach
Serve as the WAZA liaison for the Communications Committee, fostering partnerships with regional and national zoo and aquarium associations.Represent WAZA in public outreach activities and at international forums.Develop talking points for staff and allies on relevant events and programming.Assist in planning and executing WAZA Annual Conferences and associated events, ensuring brand visibility.Provide communications support for initiatives related to animal welfare, conservation, and sustainability.General and compliance
In conjunction with the WAZA Finance and Officer manager develop an annual budget and ensure compliance, and support the manager to maintain accurate records.Manage, motivate, develop direct reports, following good management practice and working with HR policy guidelines, so their performance meets agreed standards.Ensure compliance with WAZA policies, procedures, and guidelines, including all regulatory and statutory requirements.Demonstrate commitment to continuous personal development to ensure knowledge and skills are up to date and best practice is followed.Engage with the organisation’s appraisal system, and demonstrate commitment to our values, behaviours and your continuous development.Work may be required outside of normal office hours.Perform other reasonable duties and / or projects as directed by your supervisor.Person Specification
Desired Education and Experience :
Either an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in journalism, communications, marketing or a related area, and a minimum of five years’ experience in the field. A first-level university degree in combination with 10 years’ qualifying experience and / or studies may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Expertise in both internal and external communications, including crisis management.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing communication strategies, preferably in the field of environment, wildlife conservation, animal welfare and / or sustainability.Excellent writing, grammatical and editing skills across a range of media.Experience in producing printed publications.Understanding of GDPR guidelines.Assertive communicator, confident in dealing with a wide range of stakeholders.Skills in planning, prioritising, coordinating, multi-tasking and completing work assignments within established deadlines.Advanced knowledge of WordPress, Mailchimp, social media scheduling tools.Interest in the zoo and aquarium community, and issues related to environment, wildlife conservation, animal welfare and sustainability.Excellent inter-personal skills.Self-motivated, fast learner, able to work independently and to show initiative.Adept at problem-solving.Creative and enthusiastic.Working in a busy communications environment, delivering to deadlines.Language :
The primary language of WAZA is English, and the WAZA Communications Coordinator must be proficient in spoken and written English. Other languages will be advantageous.Planning and Organising
Strategic elements focus on the medium to long-term future of the organisation.Be able to work under pressure to meet deadlines and react quickly to new opportunities.Ensure communications activities are adequately resourced, with the required knowledge and skills.Monitor and report on communications performance.Work towards annual objectives, with scope to take the initiative and develop new opportunities.Where required, ensure communications activities are planned around the availability of colleagues, including those in other departments.Be aware of changes within the communications landscapes to ensure best practice is followed.Communication and relationships
Lead and motivate the communications team.Act as a role model, providing support and guidance to the executive team, peers and junior colleagues, particularly in the absence of fellow managers.Communicate with a wide range of colleagues across WAZA, including those at leadership, executive and board level where required.Maintain and develop relationships with a wide range of external parties, including those within the zoo and aquarium sector, media and others.Identify and develop networking opportunities and engage with the media, parties and the public to promote WAZA and our mission, e.g., via mass communication channels and as a WAZA spokesperson.Alert colleagues (including strategy and executive team) to sensitive or potentially damaging content posted online and take appropriate actions.Handle confidential information professionally, advising on and adhering to embargoes and data protection guidelines.Problem-solving and decision making
Take decisions on the WAZA’s best interests, e.g., whether a WAZA spokesperson should take part in a media interview.Seek guidance from peers and senior colleagues to establish key facts, e.g., in relation to animal welfare. This includes representing WAZA accurately within the media.Respond to approaches via social media channels. This includes responding to often complex or sensitive issues.Able to communicate often complex subjects to a wide variety of audiences.Use expertise to identify communications and media trends and take decisions accordingly.Balance multiple deadlines while reacting to situations outside of the post holder’s control.Additional Information
This position requires international travel to the WAZA Annual Conference, and potentially to additional meetings. The expectation is for this role to be able to travel for work between 15-25 days per year.
Application
Interested applicants should send a CV and cover letter to [email protected] before 7 February 2025.
The tentative timeline for the recruitment process is as follows (subject to modification) :
Call for applicants : 17 January to 7 February 2025.First round of interviews : 10 to 17 February 2025 – a short case study to be presented will be requested.Second round of interviews : 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 February 2025.The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.
WAZA is a member of the following organisations :
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