Public Relations Manager

Minimum starting pay for this role is $70,000 annually. Additional consideration will be given, depending on relevant qualifications and experience.

As a Public Relations Manager, you will work with the Director of Public Relations in developing, implementing, and overseeing public relations strategies to enhance the public image and reputation of the Aquarium. You will work closely with various internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and effective communications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists/members of the media
• Identify and develop timely and newsworthy story ideas, tailored pitches, press materials, and other materials to maximize earned media coverage
• Research and write press materials, news stories, speaking points, statements, internal question & answer documents, and other content
• Copy edit, including press materials, web news stories, and more
• Prepare Aquarium spokespeople for interviews
• Serve as a backup for the public relations director
• Monitor, track, and analyze media coverage on the Aquarium
• Manage the Aquarium’s use for commercial shoots
• Answer and respond to incoming calls and emails that come to the PR department, including from media and production companies
• Coordinate requests for filming/photo shoots, photos/b-roll, press releases, media passes, and other PR department requests
• Coordinate and staff onsite media, including film shoots, photo shoots, media interviews, and press events
• Create memos to send to staff notifying them of onsite press, commercial shoots, and location and technical scouts
• Expand and update the Aquarium’s media database/lists as necessary
• Create and send out email blasts to press lists
• Assist with contracts, including appearance releases, licensing agreements, and trade agreements
• Organize and implement the Aquarium’s press and commercial shoot mailings
• Assist with planning and staffing press conferences, marketing events, and other programming with press in attendance, including weekend/before hours/after hours PR needs, such as on-site live broadcasts and film/photo shoots, and during holiday periods, such as Memorial Day weekend (new exhibition debut)
• Log PR expenses
• Assist with efforts targeting Spanish-speaking audiences, including research, marketing, and event planning, including Noche de Estrellas (Night of the Stars) and the Baja Splash Cultural Festival
• Serve as a liaison with groups/community leaders who are part of our Baja Splash and Noche de Estrellas events and new groups/community leaders we would like to involve with these events and build relationships together with the Aquarium
• Serve as a festival/event lead at the Baja Splash Cultural Festival and Noche de Estrellas
• Translate, write, proofread in Spanish – a plus (or coordinate this with approved individuals for Aquarium translation and editing if that is not possible), and update PR/marketing content in Spanish, including the Aquarium’s Spanish website, press materials, and Spanish social media *Potential to serve as a spokesperson for the Aquarium for media interviews if needed such as for Noche de Estrellas and Baja Splash (Spanish a plus)

Staff festivals and events, including those happening on weekends and after-hours, including but not limited to: Festival of Human Abilities (January); African-American Festival (February); Noche de Estrellas (March); International Children’s Festival (March); Earth Day Celebration (April); Bio Ball (June); Pacific Islander Festival (June); Juneteenth (June); and Pride Night (June); Moompetam: American Indian Festival (September); Baja Splash Cultural Festival (September); Southeast Asia Day (October); and Autumn Festival (November).

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

• Strong verbal communication skills in English / Spanish a plus
• Excellent writing and proofreading abilities in English, Chicago Manual of Style or Associated Press / Spanish a plus
• Knowledge of and existing relationships with journalists in the Southern California media market, national media a plus
• Ability to produce high-quality work under tight and constantly changing deadlines
• Ability to work well with both external and internal audiences and build lasting relationships
• Ability to successfully lead and manage staff, including volunteer staff assisting the PR department
• Detail-oriented individual able to multitask in a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to build collaborative relationships
• Knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Cision a plus
• A team player who is able to contribute creative and innovative ideas that will benefit the PR department and the organization as a whole
• Ability to speak on camera for live interviews in English / Spanish a plus
• Knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign, and iMovie a plus

QUALIFICATIONS

The qualifications described here are representative of those that an individual must possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related field or similar experience
• Three years or more years of experience in PR, marketing, journalism, or related field
• Must be able to work flexible hours, which vary depending on breaking news and other events, and include evenings/nights, early mornings, weekends, and over 40 hours per week in the office/Aquarium
• Interest in marine life, nature, or environmental conservation
• Must be available on weekends and holidays.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time.
• Ability to balance bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist, climb ladders.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 0-50lbs.
• Ability to pull and push up to 0-50lbs.
• Ability to swim, SCUBA certification in dive aquarium habitats or open ocean.
• Full functional range of motion in all major body joints from reaching, twisting, bending, simple and power gripping, fine and gross motor skills.

MENTAL DEMANDS

The mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Resilience and ability to prioritize sometimes competing tasks and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain positive and productive relationships with colleagues and guests, even when differing perspectives present potential for conflict.
• Strong problem-solving skills to analyze issues and find effective solutions and alternatives.
• Flexibility and adaptability to handle changes in schedules or responsibilities.
• Critical thinking and decision-making abilities to handle complex situations.
• Empathy and emotional intelligence to understand and respond to the needs of colleagues or customers.
• Ability to maintain composure and handle difficult situations with professionalism.
• Ability to cope with occasional illness, injury, or loss of animals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Normal office working conditions.
• Offsite areas traveling.
• Noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.
• Outside environments in varying weather conditions.
• Open ocean environments.
• Exposure to environments that vary in temperature, humidity or wetness.
• Wet, dirty, uneven surfaces and walkways.
• Exposure to confined spaces.
• Rare occasions of exposure to injury from animals.

INTERESTED & QUALIFIED?

If you meet the requirements of this position, click on the link below to “APPLY NOW.” You will be directed to our web application process, the successful completion of which is required by all applicants. There are THREE simple steps to this process, which is administered by Hire Select:

1. You will complete a brief web application;
2. You will attach or build your resume;
3. You will complete the PCI aptitude assessment.

Upon completion of all THREE steps, your submission will be forwarded to our hiring team for consideration. If you are among the most qualified applicants, we will contact you within two to three weeks. If you do not hear from us within that time, feel free to reapply in the future as other opportunities arise. Thank you so much for your interest in the Aquarium of the Pacific!

Aquarium of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff.

APPLY NOW