Senior Communications Manager (ZOO)

Posting number: SCMZ2026
Department: Zoo
Job classification: Senior Communications Manager
Posting type: Open
Categories: Management, Graphic Arts, Community Development, Marketing, Web Design, Zoo, Communications
Summary General Summary: The Senior Communications Manager is responsible for information and public relations on behalf of the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge. The Senior Communications Manager will assist in implementing policies, procedures, strategies and techniques of advertising, marketing, community relations, and internal and external communications. Work performed at this level is advanced with considerable independence exercising supervision over interns and may direct the work of the publicity marketing managers.
Examples of duties 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, advertising and marketing
Knowledge of the communities served by BREC
Knowledge of local working media representation
Excellent administrative & organizational skills
Strong interpersonal & communication skills and ability to communicate both orally & in writing
Good math skills and ability to perform basic accounting/budgeting functions
Strong skill in using a computer and knowledge of and including website maintenance
Advance skills in standard office software which includes MS 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 & procedures
Ability to quickly learn BREC policies, operations, programs and communications
Ability to monitor and control resources
Ability to develop and maintain a budget, complete reports such as financial, payroll, and activity reports according to established BREC financial procedures
Ability to supervise interns and direct the work of publicity managers under direction of Communications 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.
Qualifications 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
Hires, fires, trains, and directs the evaluation process of subordinates and assume directional responsibility for on the-job training programs and staff development.
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 and handles zoo-specific media outreach and interviews.
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 Secondary Job Duties:
Direct work of Publicity Marketing Managers
Supervise departmental staff in absence of the Assistant Director of Communications
This position may differ by location and/or area of specialization
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. This position will report to work at the BREC Baton Rouge Zoo as the primary work location.
An offer of employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment criminal background check, Motor Vehicle Records check, drug screen and physical.

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