Communications & Marketing Manager

Position Summary:

The Communications & Marketing Manager leads the development and execution of strategies that elevate Seattle Humane’s brand, strengthen community engagement, and advance organizational goals. This role manages media relations and serves as a key spokesperson, cultivating press and celebrity partnerships while proactively pitching stories that highlight our mission and impact. The Manager provides strategic oversight for social media, digital platforms, advertising, reputation management and content creation, ensuring consistent and compelling storytelling across all channels. Supervising the Marketing Specialist and Visual Designer, the Manager fosters a collaborative, creative team environment and oversees project management for campaigns, services, programs and events. Additionally, this position directs internal communications, supports leadership initiatives, manages departmental budgets and vendors, and leverages performance metrics to drive continuous improvement in communications and marketing efforts.

KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Public Relations & Media Relationships:
  • Develops and executes earned media strategy utilizing proactive and reactive tactics. Responsible for media and celebrity relationships
  • Works to grow our media contacts list, pitches news stories to reporters, works with the team to develop press releases and responds in a timely fashion to media inquiries
  • Manages on-site and remote media interviews and tours
  • Collaborates with leaders across the organization to share their expertise, acts as spokesperson when appropriate
• Supervises and develops the Marketing Specialist and Visual Designer
• Provides direction for website, advertising, reputation management, digital and social media strategies

• Oversees content creation and storytelling efforts, provides review and editorial support
  • Helps develop and maintain editorial calendar and channel strategy

• Develops and manages communication plans and marketing campaigns for services programs, events and fundraising efforts, oversees project management for Communications & Marketing deliverables
• Manages internal communications, including strategy and oversight of staff communications and channels (Humane Happenings weekly email newsletter, the Hub/intranet and Humane Huddle Teams channel)
• Provides support for leadership, change management, strategic planning, volunteer and advocacy communications

• Tracks performance metrics and manages Communications & Marketing budget
  • Supports invoice tracking, purchase orders and expense reporting, as well as departmental credit card reconciliation
  • Optimizes use of media monitoring tools
• Manages marketing/creative agency providers, consultants and freelancers, including contract negotiation and management

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
Visual designer and content and marketing specialist supervisor. Volunteer supervision.

COMMUNICATION/INTERPERSONAL CONTACT:

• Daily verbal and written communications with co-workers and volunteers through meetings, direct contact, telephone, messaging or e-mail.
• Weekly or monthly communication with outside vendors by telephone, e-mail or direct contact.
• Monthly verbal and written contact with appropriate committee(s).
• Heavy communication with the public, Seattle Humane clients and partners by telephone, mail, e-mail or social media platforms.

COMPLEXITY:  

High degree of independent judgment required. Must be creative and able to solve problems; manage multiple tasks and determine priorities; supervise volunteers; and meet specified budget goals. Must be a good project manager, able to work with a variety of personalities, and remain focused on the organization’s goals and objectives. Must demonstrate attention to detail and must be able to respond to unexpected questions, comments or requests from other departments, vendors, partners or community members. The position involves diverse work on a daily basis although there is recurring work during specific times of the year.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION OR TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, PR, or similar
• 5+ years in communications, marketing, or public relations; nonprofit and/or PR agency experience preferred.
• Proven project and people management skills
• Strong writing and editing abilities; working knowledge of design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva), Google Analytics, social media monitoring (meltwater or similar), social media management and web CMS (WordPress or similar).
• Experience with donor communications and event marketing a plus.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Valid Washington State driver’s license with good driving record.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to analyze problems and determine the best solutions and communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Must possess good attention to detail, be able to concentrate and produce accurate work despite frequent interruptions. Needs to be sensitive to other opinions, perspectives or cultures. Must be able to sit for long periods of time; to lift and carry at least 30 pounds with or without accommodation; to kneel,

crouch, bend and reach. Must possess good hand-eye coordination, agility and stamina. Must exhibit initiative and motivation in performing all duties.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Equipment Use: Continuous use of computer, printer, copy machine, video or camera equipment and multi-line telephone

Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week with occasional overtime. Must be willing to work some evening and/or weekend hours. Attendance required at all-staff meetings and assigned training workshops or meetings.

LOCATION:

Position will be located onsite in the Bellevue, WA office.