Director, Public Relations

At SeaWorld, we’re passionate about caring for animals. In fact, we’ve already rescued over 40,000 animals. Join us and help bring joy, excitement, and lasting memories to people from around the world. We’re seeking enthusiastic, dedicated, and hard-working individuals in a wide variety of roles. Join us and play an important part on our incredible team!

What you get to do:

The Director of Public Relations develops, coordinates, and directs public relations strategies to enhance the SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica brands. In this role, you will be responsible for supporting all media relations needs, including issues response, crisis communications, and media inquiries. You'll engage with the media and leadership team daily to provide accurate and timely information and protect brand reputation in the media while serving as the brand’s spokesperson when needed. You'll respond to media inquiries, write press releases and advisories for SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica branded or co-branded events and will provide support during all potential emergencies, aiding with crisis communications. You will also:

• Lead public relations efforts for SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica
• Develop annual and seasonal PR plans in collaboration with the Marketing VP
• Partner with corporate PR team to elevate appropriate stories on a national level
• Partner with Park Support Center on any crisis management needs locally
• Write press releases
• Lead media events, in-studio visits and other interviews
• Secondary management of social and content team related to reputation and rescue stories to ensure team collects assets supporting web/PR/social efforts
• Serve as park-level social media backup, gives input and park-level news to Park Support Center team to help advise them on the editorial calendar and content
• Advisor to Park Support Center team influencer programs, helps to lead coordination of their visits
• Manage full-time PR specialist and part-time community affairs ambassadors
• Provide secondary support to Discovery Cove PR agency:
• Ensure synergy with Orlando Parks news/timing of stories
• Aid with in-studio or on-site media visits
• Review/evaluate cross park influencer and celebrity opportunities, in partnership with Social Media team
• Review agency-generated releases and walk through SEA approvals

What it takes to succeed:

• Must have a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Journalism or a related communications, tourism or hospitality field.
• Must have at least 5-7 years of experience in professional communications & public relations experience
• Must have at least 3-4 years of media relations experience
• History of strong professional relationship building
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to adapt communication style to several different audiences, with a focus on senior executive level communication
• Proven ability to develop and execute communication strategies that are aligned with business goals and objectives
• Extensive ability to translate complex concepts into understandable ideas and language based on target audience
• Must be able to multitask and work in a demanding, fast paced environment
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic a must
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Must be available to work varying shifts/hours based on business need, to include nights, weekends and holidays
• Must be at least 18 years old