Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Lincoln Park Zoological Society•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately managed, member-supported organization that is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org [http://www.lpzoo.org]. GENERAL SUMMARY The Vice President, Marketing and Communications is a strategic, creative, and data-driven executive leader responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies that advance the zoo’s mission and brand, drive attendance, and strengthen earned revenue and fundraising initiatives. This role serves as steward of the Lincoln Park Zoo brand and institutional narrative, shaping the organization’s local and global reputation while driving measurable business and engagement outcomes. Working in close partnership with the Senior Leadership Team, the Vice President aligns departmental strategies with organizational priorities, mission objectives, and revenue goals. As the zoo’s chief storyteller, this role ensures unified, compelling messaging across audiences and channels. The Vice President oversees departmental staff and budget, collaborates across divisions, and maintains regular visibility with the Board of Trustees, serving as liaison to the Board’s Marketing & Technology Committee.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible marketing and/or communications experience required, with nonprofit, cultural, or mission-driven organization experience preferred.
Demonstrated experience achieving ambitious revenue and engagement goals, with strong capabilities in marketing strategy, business development, lead generation, sales, or related disciplines.
Proven executive leader with exceptional interpersonal skills and strong people management capabilities in distributed or matrixed environments. Ability to influence at the most senior levels and collaborate effectively across functions and departments.
Strong executive presence and credibility, with the ability to serve as an ambassador and represent the institution externally at a local, national, and international level.
Demonstrated success developing and executing proactive, integrated marketing and communications campaigns, with a strong understanding of media relations and news value. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
Ability to translate organizational strategy into compelling, audience-centered messaging and clearly communicate complex topics.
Outstanding public speaking and presentation skills, with comfort addressing audiences of varying sizes.
Willingness and availability to represent the zoo at special events and engagements that may occur outside of regular work hours, as assigned.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
Ability to regularly perform a variety of physical tasks that may include, but are not limited to, climbing, bending, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and/or crawling. Reasonable accommodation will be made as needed.
Physical capability, including the ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
Ability and willingness to safely operate electric carts.
Ability and willingness to work and traverse zoo grounds in all weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to wear required personal protective equipment.

Responsibilities

Direct comprehensive marketing, communications, creative, and content strategies in alignment with Senior Leadership Team priorities.
Develop and implement an integrated Marketing & Communications strategy to drive visitation and increase awareness of the zoo and its conservation, science, learning, and community engagement programs.
Chart and execute strategic paths in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team to achieve departmental and organizational mission and revenue goals.
Lead, manage, and mentor a multidisciplinary Marketing & Communications team, fostering professional growth and high performance.
Oversee the departmental budget, ensuring effective and efficient allocation of resources aligned with performance metrics and strategic priorities.
Serve as liaison to the Marketing & Technology Committee of the Board of Trustees and plan and facilitate quarterly meetings in person and/or virtually.
Create and support a zoo-wide culture of collaboration, integrity, excellence, accountability, and creativity.
Foster open communication and strong cross-functional collaboration between Marketing & Communications and other zoo departments.
Guide the strategic use of data and analytics to generate insights, reach target audience segments, and measure campaign effectiveness, supporting long-term engagement and retention.
Drive innovation across all channels and test emerging strategies and technologies, with an emphasis on digital platforms.
Advise and counsel senior leaders on internal and external communications issues and reputational considerations.
Lead strategies and campaigns that drive overall zoo visitation of more than 3 million guests annually.
Direct promotional strategy for all earned revenue streams, with a strong focus on ticketed events such as ZooLights, Run for the Zoo, Fall Fest, the Adults Night Out series, and other signature experiences. Advise the Events team on program concepts, activities, and market-facing messaging.
Oversee digital marketing strategy and ecosystem, including web domains, search engine optimization, AI search optimization, email marketing, and paid digital media.
Steward and evolve the zoo’s brand identity and voice to ensure relevance, consistency, and distinction. Oversee and guide creative strategy across all channels.
Evaluate and refine the zoo’s brand narrative and oversee reputation management through proactive storytelling and comprehensive crisis communications planning.
Oversee Public Relations & Communications strategy to grow awareness of the zoo’s brand, mission, programs, and events through media relations, content development, social media, and video.
Develop and expand strategic brand and media relationships across relevant markets and media platforms.
Lead executive communications initiatives and identify opportunities to position organizational leadership and subject-matter experts on key public platforms. Develop messaging, white papers, and op-eds on behalf of executive leadership; prepare executives for public engagements; and serve as a zoo spokesperson as needed.
Develop and oversee internal communications initiatives that strengthen employee awareness, alignment, engagement, and brand ambassadorship.
In partnership with Government Affairs, support advocacy campaigns and collaborate with internal and external partners to increase engagement around mission-related local, state, and federal legislation.
Direct content strategy in support of mission delivery, fundraising, and earned revenue initiatives across all channels.
Support marketing and design strategy for CRM and fundraising systems and initiatives.
Support on-site and digital fundraising programs, including membership, annual fund, planned giving, corporate partnerships, and Development events.
Oversee creative project management and production workflows to ensure deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and on brand.
Partner with Guest Services to design and implement on-grounds marketing strategies that optimize guest engagement and spending across food & beverage outlets, retail, and attractions.

Benefits

In addition to standard benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, and a 403(b) savings plan with institutional match, benefits of working at Lincoln Park Zoo include:
Free admission to many other Chicago cultural institutions
Free on-site parking
Discounts on event tickets (including free admission to select events), attractions, dining, and retail at the zoo
Quarterly staff social events and “LPZooU” training and educational sessions focused on the zoo, wildlife, ecology, and related topics
Company contribution to a Health Savings Account (Medical PPO only)
A unique work environment featuring green spaces and regular opportunities to engage with wildlife

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