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The Marketing & Communications Director works collaboratively with the Director of Advancement and Ruff Start Rescue’s management team to help create strategies that enhance organizational visibility and build Ruff Start Rescue’s brand. This includes defining Ruff Start Rescue’s core messaging and brand identity, and developing an organization-wide communications strategy. The Marketing & Communications Director, leading a small team of staff and approximately 20+ highly dedicated and skilled volunteers, is responsible for articulating that vision and mission to the general public using direct strategies and tactics in public relations, direct marketing, social media, and other online marketing tools to engage Ruff Start Rescue’s audiences.

Availability: 40+ hours a week. Must have a flexible schedule and availability. Weekend and evening hours may be required monthly. Must be on-site at the Princeton office a minimum of 3 days a week, and the rest of the week is remote.

Essential Job Functions:

Strategic Marketing & Brand Leadership

• Develop and own a 12-24 month marketing strategy aligned with Ruff Start Rescue’s mission, strategic plan, fundraising goals, and long-term brand positioning.

• Establish and communicate clear annual marketing priorities that guide organization-wide decision-making.

• Serve as the internal authority on brand voice, messaging standards, and storytelling strategy.

• Lead cross-department collaboration to ensure marketing effectively supports development, programs, operations, and community engagement.

Brand & Messaging Strategy

• Define and maintain a cohesive brand identity across all digital, print, media, and campaign communications.

• Ensure messaging is transparent, mission-driven, emotionally compelling, and aligned with long-term trust-building goals.

• Guide the organization in strategic storytelling decisions, including what stories should (and should not) be told and why.

• Oversee and evaluate all marketing materials and initiatives to ensure alignment with mission, audience engagement, and impact.

Data-Driven Marketing & Benchmarking

• Establish performance benchmarks for website, email, social media, and digital campaigns based on peer nonprofit and industry standards.

• Regularly benchmark Ruff Start Rescue against comparable organizations and translate analytics into actionable strategy.

• Monitor digital trends, platform updates, and algorithm changes; adapt marketing strategy accordingly.

• Provide monthly performance reporting to leadership with analysis, insights, and forward-looking recommendations.

Digital Strategy & Website Leadership

• Own website strategy, architecture, and user experience with a focus on clarity, accessibility, SEO, and conversion.

• Lead website planning, implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Ensure all digital touchpoints support fundraising, engagement, and long-term brand authority.

Fundraising & Campaign Integration

• Partner with the Advancement team to align marketing and fundraising strategies.

• Lead marketing support for major initiatives, including impact reports, capital campaign communications, annual campaigns, and donor engagement efforts.

• Strategically differentiate and execute engagement campaigns versus fundraising campaigns.

Team Leadership & Accountability

• Lead and develop marketing staff and volunteers, including the Social Media Specialist and creative contributors.

• Define performance standards grounded in industry benchmarks and set measurable OKRs aligned with growth and fundraising goals.

• Conduct regular 1:1 meetings and performance evaluations.

• Delegate execution while retaining strategic oversight and accountability.

• Oversee marketing budget and ensure merchandise and digital fundraising efforts meet established goals.

Content & Campaign Execution

• Oversee digital marketing campaigns across social media, email, website, and paid advertising.

• Direct creation of high-quality, brand-aligned print and digital collateral.

• Manage email marketing strategy, including newsletters, fundraising promotions, and automated workflows.

• Ensure consistent publishing cadence and build a content library that strengthens search visibility and long-term digital authority.

Qualifications and Leadership Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Graphic Design, or related field required.

• 5-8+ years of progressive marketing and communications experience, including demonstrated success leading strategy, not just executing tactics.

• Proven experience developing and implementing long-term marketing strategies aligned with organizational growth, brand positioning, and fundraising objectives.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and mobilize teams, including staff and skilled volunteers, by setting clear direction, establishing performance standards, delegating execution appropriately, and maintaining accountability for results.

• Strong experience in nonprofit or mission-driven marketing preferred, with a deep understanding of fundraising communications and trust-based storytelling.

• Advanced understanding of brand governance, messaging strategy, email marketing, website strategy and SEO, social media performance metrics, digital advertising, and campaign integration.

• Demonstrated ability to translate analytics, benchmarking research, and industry trends into actionable strategy and measurable performance goals.

• Experience managing multiple high-level initiatives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining clarity, composure, and brand consistency.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and/or Canva Pro; familiarity with website CMS platforms, email marketing systems, CRMs, and Google Analytics required.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft emotionally compelling, mission-aligned storytelling that builds engagement and drives giving.

Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and discretion, particularly when handling sensitive stories, donor information, and internal dynamics.

• Exhibits maturity, sound judgment, and confident decision-making, even under pressure.

• Possibility-driven and proactive, bringing forward ideas and solutions rather than waiting for direction.

• Calm and steady in high-volume, emotionally charged environments common in animal rescue.

• Highly organized and systems-oriented, with strong attention to detail and follow-through.Logical, data-informed problem solver who researches context, avoids bias, and prioritizes what is in the best interest of Ruff Start Rescue.

• Collaborative and respectful, valuing cross-departmental partnership and the essential role of volunteers in accomplishing the mission.

• Deep passion for animal welfare and a strong commitment to professionally advocating for Ruff Start Rescue’s mission and No-Kill philosophy.

Physical Demands

• The physical requirements listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The position involves sitting for extended periods of time while working at a computer terminal. Employee must be able to communicate effectively in a typical office environment with a standard level of office noise. Occasional standing, bending, walking and lifting (30 lbs) is also required.

• Employee will be required to be a part of animal transport, which will expose the employee to animals (primarily dogs/cats), dirt, dust, uneven surfaces, and outdoor weather conditions. Noise will typically be moderate.

Benefits:

• Health insurance will be available to full-time employees on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. RSR will pay 50% of the employee's monthly premium.

• Retirement plans with up to a 3% employee contribution are available after 90 days.

• Additional insurance options are available after 90 days - you pay 100% premium at a discounted group rate.

○ Short-term disability

○ Life Insurance

○ Dental Insurance

○ Accident Insurance

○ Hospital Indemnity Insurance

○ Critical Illness Insurance

○ Cancer Insurance

○ Vision Insurance

• PTO

• First-year 10 days

• Years 1 and 2 15 days (3 Weeks)

• Year 3 and 4 20 Days (4 Weeks)

• Year 5 and 6 25 Days (5 Weeks)

• Year 7 + 30 Days (6 Weeks)

• When an employee rolls over to a new year bracket we would prorate from their anniversary day.

• Ruff Start Rescue recognizes seven paid holidays each year. Should a holiday fall on a weekend, the holiday will be observed on the workday closest to the holiday.

• Employee Discount

• Professional Development courses covered up to $200 annually.

• Paid parental leave

Reports To: COO

Salary: $70,000- 80,000

Applicants, please note: to be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter in addition to a resume