Director of Marketing & Communications

The Director of Marketing & Communications role is an exciting opportunity to serve as a leader of communication and public relations for one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the country. This position will help East Bay SPCA continue to be seen as a thought leader in the field of animal welfare and will be critical in growing the reach and success of all the organization’s programs. 

The Director of Marketing & Communications serves as the primary brand ambassador and marketing leader for East Bay SPCA and is highly involved in the growth of the organization’s brand identity and brand recognition through strategic print, digital, and other media and communications. This position is responsible for creating, implementing, and leading a robust, comprehensive marketing and communications plan, including sponsorships and corporate relationships, to promote brand awareness to the general public, and to support East Bay SPCA’s fundraising and operating revenue goals.  

East Bay SPCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to the welfare of dogs and cats in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human-animal bond through respected and accessible expertise. East Bay SPCA is one of the nation’s oldest humane organizations, in operation since 1874, and receives no funding from any national organizations. You can find more information about East Bay SPCA on our website at www.eastbayspca.org. 

Category: Full-time; Exempt 

Location: Oakland and Dublin, as needed 

Reports to: Vice President of Philanthropy 

Benefits: East Bay SPCA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and future of our employees. Medical and dental benefits are fully covered, along with optional vision coverage. Employees can plan for their future with a 401(K) Retirement Plan featuring a 3% company contribution, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. The company also provides generous paid time off, starting at 120 hours per year, increasing to 160 hours after 5 years, and 200 hours after 10 years, plus 80 paid holiday hours annually and an additional personal holiday after one year. Employees enjoy extra perks such as the Pets at Work Program, waived pet adoption fees, discounted veterinary care, behavior and training classes, up to $75/month public transit/vanpool commuter reimbursement, and various industry discounts, including Pet Food Express.    

Responsibilities 

• Oversee and manage East Bay SPCA’s internal and external marketing and communication program to ensure strategic and consistent messaging of the organization’s mission, identity, and value to the community. 
• Ideate actionable strategies to target marketing efforts to increase operational revenue and philanthropic support.  
• Serve as lead for publicity of East Bay SPCA events, programs and services, media partnerships, sponsorships, and strategic ad and content placements. 
• Lead and work with the marketing team on the development of brand-driven, engaging, and meaningful content for multi-use across all communications channels.  
• Support fundraising efforts through corporate fundraising campaigns and sponsorships. Provide written content, including Press Releases to enhance all aspects of our work, including grant funding requests and update reports. 
• Manage the marketing program’s annual budget, including RFPs, project bids, vendor contracts and invoices, budget reports, cost analyses, and projections. 
• In collaboration with Executive Leadership, coordinate all internal and external communications and crisis management by serving as brand ambassador for the organization including coordinating and conducting media interviews, disseminating press releases, and pitching relevant stories to local media. 
• Lead the marketing team in all responsibilities for the promotion of the annual gala held each May, and other events at both Oakland and Dublin facilities. 
• Partner with philanthropy to solicit corporate sponsorship with a goal of $500k annually. 
• Directly manage staff working in the Marketing Department. 

Qualifications 

• 5 to 8 years of professional, supervisory experience in marketing, advertising, and/or public relations. 
• Experience managing and mentoring a marketing team of 3-5 individuals, fostering collaboration, professional growth, and achieving measurable team goals.  
• Exceptional communication skills required, both verbally and in writing, with knowledge of current communications trends, methods and technology. Must have the ability to communicate effectively and professionally for public and media presentations. 
• Experience with successfully developing, executing, managing, and evaluating strategic marketing and communications plans that include business revenue and fundraising goals in addition to advertising and publicity objectives. 
• Proven ability to elevate brand presence through strategic storytelling, consistent messaging, and innovative marketing campaigns. 
• Expertise in website content management, utilizing digital media, social media platforms, and other online communication tools. Experience using creative design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and social media management tools (Wordpress, Canva, Meta, Mailchimp) a must. 
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate campaign performance, market trends, and customer insights to guide decision-making and strategy development. 
• Adept at building and nurturing partnerships to amplify brand visibility and drive collaborative marketing opportunities. 
• High proficiency using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required. 
• Experience in managing and developing paid advertising campaigns and social media ads is highly preferred 
• Work experience in the nonprofit sector is preferred. Familiarity with animal welfare is a plus. 
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with a high degree of professionalism. 
• Ability to effectively prioritize, multitask, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong work ethic with initiative to creatively solve problems, improve efficiencies, and exceed expectations. 
• Availability to work some nights, early mornings, and weekends as needed. Must be available for press inquiries.  
• Pre-employment background and drug screening are required; we do not screen for cannabis use 
• Reliable transportation, a valid CA driver’s license, and proof of insurability are required. Travel with both personal and company vehicles is required. 

The Ideal Candidate will have: 

• A strong commitment to the mission of East Bay SPCA. 
• Direct employment experience working in a nonprofit Marketing/Development department 
• Demonstrated diplomacy, tact and discretion. 
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing efficiencies, and guiding staff and systems. 
• Proven results in collaboration and participation with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully and positively in a culturally and ethnically diverse community. Values diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• The ability to work well under pressure and adapt easily to changing situations and priorities. Good judgment, flexibility, and consensus-building skills. 
• A self-starter mentality with the ability to quickly create a positive network of relationships. 
• Organized working style and demonstrated excellent attention to detail while pursuing overall goals. 
• Good listening skills and is a strategist. Comfortable receiving input from many sources and able to analyze and formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan. 
• Demonstrates a highly proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a strong work ethic and high energy; a hands-on contributor who actively develops and executes marketing and communications initiatives 
• High ethical standards for self and staff. 
• Inspirational, creative, visionary, and compassionate tendencies. 
• Positive daily work attitude on a consistent basis. 

Working Conditions 

• Work is primarily performed in an animal shelter environment with exposure to detergents, cleaning products, wet and humid environments, and seasonal outdoor conditions 
• Must be available to work when and where needed by the organization. Must be willing to work occasional irregular hours, weekends, and holidays. 
• Animal contact and related injuries, including bites and scratches, may occur.  
• Noise exposure varies and often includes barking and other animal vocalizations 
• Animal waste contact, smells, and visual exposure are prevalent 
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds frequently and occasionally lift to 75 pounds with assistance. Must be able to push and/or pull over 50 pounds occasionally 
• Frequent standing, walking, typing, bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and stooping.