Senior Editor San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Job description

Job Description

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives.

Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action.

The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species.

Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Senior Editor has extensive writing experience including a demonstrated ability to research story ideas, synthesize concepts, and create original content for a broad range of audiences on behalf of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA).

This position reports to the Purpose Communications Manager.
WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Write unique, compelling, and engaging content for all materials that effectively communicate the organization’s mission and vision using the organization's brand voice consistently.
  
  Materials include advertisements, fundraising collateral, websites, fact sheets, brochures, interpretive signs, magazine articles, scripts, and training modules.
  
  
• Edit and proofread for accuracy, clarity, and quality.
  
  
• Plan and shape content for all print and digital creative.
  
  
• Write for a wide variety of audiences from young children and students to guests, members, and donors telling the organization’s compelling stories that drive engagement.
  
  
• Work closely with Design team to bring the written word to life in each piece.
  
  
• Conduct research, performs interviews, and conceptualizes art or other visual materials or content.
  
  
• Work with writers in a constructive manner to offer appraisals that inspire writers to do their best work and avoid undermining their confidence.
  
  
• Maintain style guidelines and quality standards.
  
  
• Fact checks all written materials produced.
  
  
• Help establish deadlines and production schedules.
  
  

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Senior Editor is a dynamic leader and exceptional writer managing brand storytelling across print, digital, and occasional live formats, from strategy to execution and analysis.

You’ll uncover fresh angles, connect the dots, and craft compelling narratives to inspire a range of audiences with the transformative impact of our local and global conservation efforts.

Your work will elevate our mission, help drive attendance, and build support for initiatives at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and throughout our eight global Conservation Hubs.

Skilled at collaborating across all levels of an organization, including senior executives, you’ll also mentor writers, ensuring their work aligns with brand voice, guidelines, and strategic goals.

• JOB EXPERIENCE
  • Professional experience in copywriting, editing, and content marketing required.
    
    
  • Experience writing for a very wide range of audiences required.
    
    
  • Editorial experience required.
    
    
• EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's Degree in communication, journalism or related field and/or equivalent specialized training required.
    
    
  • Master's Degree in communication, journalism or related field and/or equivalent specialized training desired.
    
    
• SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
  • Strong acumen with communication tactics and best practices required.
    
    
  • Strong working knowledge of Reader/audience appeal required.
    
    
  • Strong working knowledge of editing, grammar, and writing rules required.
    
    
  • Natural history, wildlife conservation, zoology, or biology knowledge is desirable.
    
    
  • Ability to clearly communicate to internal and external stakeholders required.
    
    
  • Ability to operate moderately complex computer programs (i.e. Microsoft Office) required.
    
    
  • Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects with competing deadlines required.
    
    
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines to meet business needs required.
    
    
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with others in a diverse team environment required.
    
    
  • Ability to coach and mentor writers required.
    
    
  • Ability to use a wide variety of software packages including Airtable, GoProof, and TruEdit required.
    
    

SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
  

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Salary Rate: $87,264.80

About The Salary Ranges
Please note that the salary range mentioned in this job posting should serve simply as a guide.

The final compensation offered may vary based on a variety of factors, including bonuses and/or incentives, or a candidate’s experience and skills.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to providing a fair, equitable, and competitive package that reflects the value an individual brings to the organization.

Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting.

Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address.

We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail .

If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.

Be an ally for wildlife by joining our team!

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences.

Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.

As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.

We are not offering sponsorship for this position at this time.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.

Required Skill Profession

Media And Communication Workers