General Summary

The Senior Communications Manager is responsible for information and public relations on behalf of the Baton Rouge Zoo. The Senior Communications Manager will implement policies, procedures, strategies, and techniques of community relations and internal and external communications. Work performed at this level is advanced with considerable independence.

Requirements and Job Specifications

Education Required: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university

Preferred: Master's degree from an accredited college or university.

Area of Study (major) Required: Mass Communications, Marketing, Business Administration (advertising), or any related field of study

Certification(s) Preferred: Accredited Public Relations (APR) Designation, through Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

License(s) Required: Valid Louisiana Drivers License

Years Relevant Work Experience: Four (4) years of experience in communications, public relations or marketing experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Preferred: 10 years related, plus web editing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of currently accepted concepts and practices of public relations & marketing
• Knowledge of the communities served by BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo
• Knowledge of local working media representation
• Excellent administrative & organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal & communication skills and ability to communicate both orally & in writing
• Solid math skills and ability to perform basic accounting/budgeting functions
• Proficiency in understanding current & evolving marketing/advertising methodologies across all media venues
• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of website maintenance
• Advanced skills in standard office software, Microsoft Office, databases, and presentation programs
• Ability to work on multiple projects to meet both short and long-range deadlines
• Ability to demonstrate leadership, initiative, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to exercise good judgment based on established policies and procedures
• Ability to quickly learn BREC policies, operations, programs, and communications
• Ability to monitor and control resources
• Ability to develop and maintain a budget and complete reports, such as financial, payroll, and activity reports according to established BREC financial procedures
• Ability to supervise staff and direct the work of Membership and Special Events staff under direction of the Zoo Director
• Ability to develop & maintain effective working relations with departmental staff and to relate well to representatives of public & private interest groups, the news media, the public, and officials of other agencies

Functions and Duties

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the creation and implementation of marketing plans
• Responsible for monitoring, tracking, and measuring marketing efforts to include identifying ROI for programs, tracking metrics actual vs. target, and measuring program performance on a monthly basis.
• Recruits, trains and refers interns and maintain relationships with local universities’ communications schools
• Assists in writing, editing and reviewing stories, press releases and other information pertinent to BREC and/or its facilities
• Prepares a section of the budget; reviews and monitors the revenues and expenditures, and tracks payments
• Oversees trade show image development and assists in trade show participation efforts
• Provides public relations, communications advice and consultation to BREC staff
• Encourages promotional efforts, edits employee or volunteer written articles and coordinates publications
• Attends meetings of the BREC Commission, Community, Advisory Committees, as well as professional conferences, as a representative of the department
• Assists with Special Events as needed

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.

Supplemental Information

Full time position, a minimum of 40 hours per week; evening and weekend hours as required. Must be available in case of emergency; 24 hours a day seven days a week. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. If you do not complete each section of this application (i.e. work experience, education, or etc.) to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy. An offer of employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment criminal background check, Motor Vehicle Records check, drug screen and physical.