Communications Officer - Commercial and Partnerships

Got a nose for a good story? From major corporate partnerships and fundraising campaigns to new visitor experiences and products, there’s no shortage of stories to tell at ZSL.

As Commercial and Partnerships Communications Officer, you’ll help bring these stories to life, raising the profile of the commercial, fundraising and partnership activity that helps power ZSL’s conservation work. Working with colleagues across PR, commercial and fundraising teams, you’ll turn ideas, opportunities and moments in the news into compelling stories that build awareness, strengthen reputation and inspire support.

Your work will span pitching stories to journalists, writing press releases, responding to media enquiries and coordinating interviews, filming, photoshoots and media visits. You’ll also help deliver PR campaigns and find creative ways to showcase the impact of corporate partnerships, supporter funding, retail, brand licensing, events and visitor experiences.

With both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo at the heart of ZSL’s work, regular time on-site is essential to uncovering stories and connecting with the people behind them. You’ll need to work from either zoo four days per week, putting you close to the activity, people and opportunities that bring ZSL’s conservation mission to life.

Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 9th November 2026.

• Delivery of communications: Supporting the plans for commercial, fundraising and partnership activity, helping ensure activity is planned, coordinated and aligned to organisational priorities and time frames.
• Develop engaging stories:Highlighting partnership impact, philanthropic support, fundraising successes, retail initiatives, visitor experiences and commercial activity that contributes to ZSL's conservation mission.
• Proactive media and content activity:Including drafting press releases, media pitches, briefing materials, web content and other communications assets; supporting earned media opportunities; and helping to amplify stories across owned, shared and partner channels.
• Coordinate media and stakeholder relations:Including media visits, interviews, filming, photography, launches, events and spokesperson briefings, while supporting the identification of opportunities to raise awareness of ZSL, its work and its impact.
• Protect and strengthen ZSL’s reputation: Monitor media coverage and external developments, supporting reactive communications activity, maintaining planning and reporting tools, and evaluating communications performance to inform future activity and continuous improvement.

• Experience in communications, PR, media relations, journalism, marketing communications or external affairs activity.
• Confidence in drafting clear and engaging written content for external audiences, such as press releases, articles, web copy, briefings or campaign materials.
• Creates compelling content and stories that engage audiences and attract media interest.
• Understands what makes something newsworthy and can identify opportunities to raise awareness of ZSL's work.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple projects, stakeholders and deadlines.
• Ability to understand complex or specialist information and turn it into accessible content for public audiences.
• Proactive, adaptable and collaborative, with the confidence to take ideas from concept through to delivery and build relationships across the organisation.

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.

ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as…