Senior Director, Media Relations & Public Affairs

Houston Zoo; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Zoo is seeking a Senior Director of Media Relations & Public Affairs to lead the organization’s communications strategy across internal and external audiences. The role supports strategic initiatives, strengthens reputation, and engages guests, donors, and partners.

You will provide crisis leadership and editorial direction for stories that connect audiences to wildlife conservation and guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or related field with seven years of progressive experience.
• Proven experience leading media relations, reputation management, and crisis communication efforts.
• Strong written, verbal, Presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across departments and functions.

Responsibilities

• Leads development and execution of communication strategies that support organizational priorities and public awareness.
• Ensures communications reflect the Zoo's mission, values, brand standards, and direction.
• Establishes messaging frameworks for alignment across departments and audiences.
• Leads earned media and public relations to elevate the Zoo's profile in conservation, education, and guest experience.
• Cultivates relationships with media partners and external stakeholders.
• Guides issue management and crisis communication planning with timely, accurate responses.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communication

Strategic storytelling

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/PR/related field

Job description

The Senior Director of Media Relations & Public Affairs is a leader of the Zoo's communications strategy, public relations efforts, and internal communications. This role is responsible for strengthening the Zoo's reputation, increasing awareness of its mission and conservation impact, and ensuring consistent, effective communication across internal and external audiences. The Senior Director partners across the organization to align messaging, support strategic initiatives, and build meaningful engagement with guests, members, donors, community partners, and the media. The role also provides leadership during issues and crisis situations to help safeguard and advance the Zoo's reputation.Our Mission:Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.Our Vision:Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Leads the development and execution of communication strategies that support organizational priorities, strengthen reputation, and increase public awareness.Ensures communications consistently reflect the Zoo's mission, values, brand standards, and strategic direction.Establishes messaging frameworks that create alignment across departments and audience groups.Leads earned media and public relations efforts that elevate the Zoo's profile and showcase its impact in conservation, education, animal care, guest experience, and community engagement.Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with media partners and other external stakeholders.Guides issue management and crisis communication planning, ensuring timely, accurate, and effective responses when needed.Leads internal communication strategies that connect staff to organizational priorities, initiatives, and achievements.Develops communication channels, programs, and content that foster engagement, transparency, and organizational alignment.Ensures employees receive clear, timely, and relevant information that supports a strong workplace culture.Oversees the development of compelling stories and content that connect audiences to wildlife conservation, guest experiences, organizational achievements, and community impact.Provides editorial leadership for communications initiatives across owned, earned, and shared channels.Ensures content and messaging are audience-focused, mission-driven, and aligned with organizational goals.Partners with Marketing, Education, Conservation, Animal Programs, Guest Experience, Human Resources, and other departments to support strategic initiatives and organizational goals.Provides communications counsel and support for major projects, campaigns, events, and organizational announcements.Fosters collaboration ensures a consistent and coordinated voice across the organization.Leads, develops, and inspires the communications team while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.Establishes priorities, workflows, and performance expectations that maximize team effectiveness and impact.Evaluates communication effectiveness through performance measures, audience insights, and feedback to continuously improve results.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience.Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, media relations, or related disciplines.Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communication initiatives.Experience leading media relations, reputation management, and crisis communication efforts.Strong written, verbal, presentation, and storytelling skills.Proven ability to influence and collaborate across departments and functions.Experience leading teams and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.Strong judgment, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.

About the Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.