Integrated Communications Manager

Location: Ashland

Job Title:

Integrated Communications Manager

FLSA Status:
Exempt Classification:
Full-Time

Hours:

Generally 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Monday - Friday) with some evening and weekend availability required

Pay Rate:
Range starts at $69,591/year

Summary:

The Integrated Communications Manager serves as the lead for internal and external communications for the Omaha Zoological Society and its two attraction brands, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. This role protects and strengthens brand reputation, helps shape the public narrative, and ensures communications efforts align with organizational priorities, marketing initiatives, and guest experiences.

As the organization’s primary media contact and spokesperson, this role manages day-to-day public relations and media relations efforts, monitors brand sentiment, identifies emerging issues, and leads both proactive and reactive communications initiatives. The Integrated Communications Manager builds and nurtures relationships with local, regional, and national media partners while serving as a key connector across campaigns, events, and guest experiences.

Grounded in the organization’s mission and values, this role translates initiatives into clear and compelling narratives across internal audiences, external audiences, and partner channels while balancing factual communications with engaging storytelling. Partnering closely with leadership and collaborating with cross-functional teams, the Integrated Communications Manager uses analytics and media intelligence to inform communications strategy, strengthen share of voice, and support leadership in guiding how the organization communicates across media, internal communications, and digital storytelling channels.

This position reports directly to the Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

Narrative Strategy and Brand Reputation Lead the development and execution of an integrated communications strategy that shapes the public narrative, protects and strengthens brand reputation, increases share of voice, and supports organizational priorities across the Omaha Zoological Society and its two attractions, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park.

Monitor media coverage and public sentiment to identify emerging issues and signals that may impact brand perception. Provide response guidance to leadership and coordinate aligned communications across teams.

Act as the organization’s primary media contact and spokesperson, building and nurturing strong relationships with local, regional, and national media while actively shaping and managing the public narrative.

Identify and develop storytelling opportunities that translate campaigns, guest experiences, and organizational milestones into clear public narratives.

Guide storytelling development across earned, owned, and digital channels.

Media Relations and Public Narrative Manage day-to-day reactive communications efforts when issues arise to ensure timely, accurate, and strategic responses.

Partner with leadership across the organization to provide strategic counsel on messaging, positioning, and public-facing communications tied to emerging issues, initiatives, and long-term goals.

Monitor media coverage and brand sentiment through media monitoring and alert systems; analyze share of voice, trends, and performance metrics, and translate insights into strategic recommendations.

Coordinate crisis and issues communications planning, establish structured response protocols and guiding the organization’s narrative during high-visibility or sensitive situations.

Integrated Storytelling and Internal Alignment Align public relations efforts with marketing plans to ensure earned media, campaign messaging, partner communications, and on-site experiences are aligned and mutually reinforcing.

Support internal communications strategy in collaboration with People and Culture and department leaders, ensuring employees are informed, aligned, and connected to organizational goals.

Oversee the strategy, structure, and ongoing management of the organization’s…