Communications Officer - Transforming the Thames

Purpose of the Role

Transforming the Thames is an ambitious, partnership-led programme working towards a vision of a restored, reconnected and resilient Thames Estuary, a thriving coastal wetland where communities and wildlife can flourish.

Led by ZSL and delivered through a diverse partnership of industry, government, environmental organisations, local nature partnerships and landowners, the programme is bringing people and organisations together to reconnect the fragmented and damaged seascape of the Greater Thames Estuary. Through the protection, repair and restoration of coastal habitats, the programme is delivering an initial 320ha of habitat restoration by 2030, with ambitions to scale up this work over the long term.

This role will play an important part in bringing the vision for Transforming the Thames to life, coordinating communications across the programme and working with the ZSL project team and partners to deliver clear, consistent and engaging messaging. Working closely with ZSL’s central PR team, the role will support content, media activity and key campaign moments, drawing on ZSL’s brand, partner resources and creative content to share the programme’s story with a wide range of audiences.

With the project now underway, this is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness of Transforming the Thames, engage communities across the Greater Thames Estuary and showcase how collaboration can help nature recover.

This role is offered on a 12-month part-time fixed-term contract, working 22.5 or 30 hours per week depending on preference: £19,164.60 for 22.5hrs per week, or £25,552.80 for 30hrs per week (full-time equivalent salary: £31,941).

This is a hybrid role, predominantly field and home-based, with an expectation to attend ZSL’s Regent’s Park office at least once every two weeks, with regular travel to fieldwork locations across London, Kent and Essex. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required with advance notice.

Key Responsibilities

• Content Creation & Digital Communications: lead content production and management for Transforming the Thames’ social media channels and create engaging content for wider ZSL channels. Produce and commission high-quality written, photographic and video content, including milestone stories, website updates, press releases, newsletters and community stories.
• Communications Planning & Campaign Management: manage the project communications calendar, campaigns and milestone storytelling, identifying opportunities to share the project’s progress and impact with a range of audiences.
• Strategic Communications: work with the Senior Partnerships Manager to deliver and regularly update the project communications strategy, ensuring communications support the project’s wider aims and ambitions.
• Partner Communications & Collaboration: lead the quarterly Partner Communications Forum and coordinate communications across a large partnership, supporting shared messaging, brand consistency, content planning and amplification across partner channels.
• Major Events & Media Coordination: coordinate communications around key project moments, including restoration activities, conferences and other major events, working closely with ZSL’s central PR and communications teams.

About You

• Proven experience in communications or media (environment, science, or public engagement ideal), with experience delivering communications campaigns and content to deadlines.
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to create engaging content for a range of audiences and channels.
• Experience planning and producing social media content, including short-form video, photography and video content.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically across teams and partner organisations.
• Ability to coordinate communications across a partnership (including liaising with multiple comms teams) and manage complex messaging.
• A full driving licence and ability to travel to project sites across London, Kent and Essex, with occasional evening and weekend working.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of the 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 actively encourages applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. ZSL is committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrates the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.

About Us

ZSL is an international conservation charity. Through unrivalled animal experts in its two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of its pioneering scientists, and its dedicated conservationists, ZSL’s purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Its vision is a world where wildlife thrives, and ZSL is working every day to achieve this – from investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

What We Offer

• Up to 12% contributory pension.
• Flexible working options.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus UK bank holidays, increasing with service.
• Enhanced family-friendly policies.
• Life assurance from day one (for eligible employees).
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
• Access to ZSL’s staff Equality Networks.
• Complimentary London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo tickets, plus retail discounts.
• Cycle2Work scheme and interest-free season ticket loans (for eligible London-based employees).

Full details of the benefits are available in the attached Benefits Guide.

ZSL may close this role early or extend the closing date due to the number of applications received, so early application is encouraged.

Applications are anonymised until interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It is important to highlight unique skills, experience, and knowledge; over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of an application.

How to Apply

If you have any questions about this role, please get in touch with the recruitment team at recruitment@zsl.org.

More information and application: https://careers.zsl.org/vacancies/741/communications-officer--transforming-the-thames.html