Director Of Marketing And Communications

The Zoo encompasses a 485-acre campus and is home to more than 5,300 animals with about 1.29 million guests visiting annually. The Zoo is a coordinator of international conservation and breeding programs and is the State’s largest environmental educator with over 400,000 participants annually. The Zoo’s conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems and its education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout our region, and around the world.

Working Title: Director of Marketing and Communications
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Senior
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 02/26/2024
• Closing Date: 03/18/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoo Gardens-Managerial
• Division/Unit: Operations / Deputy Director Office
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Not Applicable Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - Up to 25% of the time
• Salary Range: $41.51 - $59.72 / hourly; $86,672 - $124,695 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrep
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Telework Eligible: No
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

This position is responsible for strategic oversight and orchestration of all Minnesota Zoo public relations, marketing, communications, and digital strategy, to ensure an integrated marketing program and optimal customer experience. The position leads and directs all integrated marketing campaigns for the support and promotion of the Minnesota Zoo brand to achieve revenue ($24 million annually), attendance (1.5 million annual) and membership goals (40,000 member households). This position will respond to issues management and crisis communication and serves as the Zoo’s primary communication strategist and media spokesperson. This position involves significant and critical discretion and substantial involvement in the development, interpretation, and implementation of agency-wide Marketing and communication policies.

Minimum Qualifications

The following qualifications are required of all applicants seeking consideration for this position. Only applicants whose application materials clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for the position. To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

• Five (5) years experience with responsibility for developing and/or directing multi-media Marketing and communication plans that includes responsibility for working in traditional and new media, In order to be credited, this experience must demonstrate the following skills and abilities:
• Managerial skills sufficient to develop and manage budgets and staff for a mid-sized organization
• Effective communication skills sufficient to write succinct and clear content, talking points, reports and plans and facilitate meetings with varied and diverse stakeholders of all ages, diverse needs and backgrounds.
• Skill in conflict management and negotiation principles and strategies; including issues and crisis management planning and implementation
• Experience working within Twin Cities markets serving diverse communities. Strong knowledge of local market, including media outlets and cultural institutions
• Computer skills sufficient to effectively work with business software and digital marketing applications
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline driven process from inception through execution
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access with demonstrated experience engaging diverse communities and underserved audiences
• Creativity and entrepreneurial initiative
• Incumbent must maintain valid driver's license, and insurance, OR have other reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications/PR, brand management, business, or a highly-related area from an accredited college or university
• Experience working with zoo, conservation, environmental education, recreation or cultural organizations
• Experience working within State government
• Experience working in a union environment
• Established network of relationships with local community leaders, media and influencers
• Knowledge of nature, conservation, wildlife biology, and sustainability issues
• Fluent in a second language, such as Spanish, Hmong, ASL, etc.

Physical Requirements

Ability to operate a computer, including viewing a screen and typing on a keyboard, for up to 8 hours/day

Ability to travel locally and nationally; some international travel may be required

Flexible availability including weekdays, weekends, evenings, early mornings and overnights

Ability to work in an environment that includes both indoor and outdoor work spaces year round with moderate noise levels

Ability to work offsite when necessary including prolonged telework

Additional Requirements

• Conflict of Interest Review
• Criminal History Check including fingerprinting
• Education Verification
• Employment Reference / Records Check
• License / Certification Verification

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Andrew Skluzacek at andrew.skluzacek@state.mn.us.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Andrew Skluzacek at andrew.skluzacek@state.mn.us.

About Minnesota Zoological Garden

Created by the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Zoo opened in 1978 with a mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. Cutting-edge exhibits provide exciting experiences with animals and their habitats introducing guests to species from around the globe. Education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout the region, and around world. Conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.