WAAL is seeking a creative, compassionate, and results-oriented Marketing and Engagement Manager to grow awareness of our mission, strengthen relationships with our community, and inspire people to adopt, foster, volunteer, donate, and advocate for animals in need.
This role leads the organization’s marketing, communications, community engagement, and brand strategy. The ideal candidate is a strong storyteller and project manager who can balance long-term planning with the fast-moving needs of an animal rescue environment.
Key Responsibilities
Marketing and Communications
- Develop and manage an annual marketing and communications plan aligned with organizational goals.
- Create compelling stories about adoptable animals, successful placements, foster families, volunteers, community programs, and community impact.
- Manage content across the organization’s website, email newsletters, social media, print materials, and other communication channels.
- Maintain a consistent, accessible, and welcoming brand voice and visual identity.
- Develop campaigns supporting adoptions, fundraising, foster recruitment, volunteer recruitment, and public education.
- Coordinate photography, video, graphic design, advertising, and media outreach.
- Monitor campaign performance and use data to improve future communications.
Community Engagement
- Build relationships with adopters, donors, volunteers, fosters, businesses, community groups, and local partners.
- Plan and promote adoption events, fundraisers, educational programs, and community outreach activities.
- Identify opportunities for sponsorships, cause-marketing partnerships, and cross-promotions.
- Represent the organization at public events, meetings, and media opportunities.
- Develop inclusive outreach strategies that engage diverse communities and reduce barriers to participation.
Digital Engagement
· Proficiency in fundraising software, CANVA, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and CRM systems, as well as Microsoft Office Suite.
· Website content and management abilities. Experience in WordPress and Oxygen is a plus but not required.
· Manage the organization’s social media calendar and day-to-day presence.
- Respond to comments and messages promptly, professionally, and compassionately.
- Maintain accurate, engaging website content.
- Grow email and social audiences while strengthening engagement and conversion.
- Coordinate digital advertising, fundraising campaigns, and online advocacy initiatives.
- Track metrics such as reach, engagement, website traffic, applications, donations, and event participation.
Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with other staff and volunteers to identify communication priorities.
- Establish processes for gathering timely stories, photos, updates, and program information.
- Prepare staff, volunteers, and organizational leaders for interviews and public appearances.
- Support sensitive or urgent communications involving animal welfare cases, emergencies, or public concerns.
- Help ensure communications protect confidential information and accurately reflect the organization’s policies and practices.
Fundraising Strategy
· Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan to meet the organization’s financial goals.
· Identify and cultivate relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
· Create and oversee fundraising campaigns, events, and initiatives to increase donor engagement.
Donor Relations and Stewardship
· Establish and maintain relationships with current and potential donors, ensuring timely acknowledgment and appreciation.
· Develop and implement strategies for donor retention and upgrading giving levels.
· Organize donor recognition events and communications to highlight the impact of contributions.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, nonprofit management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills.
- Self-motivated and demonstrates an excellent work ethic.
- Excellent creative writing, editing, storytelling, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience managing social media, email marketing, websites, and digital campaigns.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Experience using performance data to evaluate and improve campaigns.
- Ability to communicate with empathy, exercise sound judgment, and remain composed in emotionally sensitive situations.
- Strong teamwork skills.
- Commitment to animal welfare and alignment with the rescue’s mission and values.
- Availability for occasional evenings and weekends.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working for an animal welfare or nonprofit organization.
- Experience with fundraising campaigns, media relations, sponsorships, or event promotion.
- Familiarity with graphic design, photography, video editing, or content-management tools.
- Knowledge of accessibility, inclusive communications, and culturally responsive community engagement.
- Experience supervising employees, interns, contractors, or volunteers.
Working Conditions
- Regular computer and office work, with periodic work in animal-care and event environments.
- Frequent exposure to animals, animal hair, cleaning products, noise, and emotionally challenging situations.
- Local travel may be required for events, partnerships, and community outreach.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and perform reasonable event-related physical tasks.
- Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law.
Pay: $55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
