Responsibilities

• Lead proactive media pitching, assist with crisis communications, and manage brand reputation across all platforms.
• Create organizational communications, ensuring a consistent content cadence across internal and external channels to prioritize deadlines and messaging.
• Work closely with members of the Advancement, Programs, and Operations teams to gather stories and translate complex program information into compelling narratives.
• Maintain content guidelines and brand voice; oversee the creation of assets including donor communications upon request, website copy, internal newsletters, and impact reports.
• Oversee distribution across owned channels (website, internal communications, etc) in addition to earned media to increase reach and engagement.
• Manage a small team of paid staff, interns, and volunteers to meet departmental and mission-driven KPIs.
• Foster and model a volunteer-powered culture across the team by ensuring that every staff member is partnered with volunteers on every shift, with the goal of empowering volunteers to lead and grow within the program.
• Serve as a facilitator and coach to staff and volunteers, ensuring the work is shared, not siloed, and that volunteers are supported in completing daily tasks.
• Ensure active recruitment, onboarding, and engagement of volunteers using volunteer engagement tools and resources
• Support retention by matching volunteers to appropriate tasks, offering guidance, and providing regular check-ins and staff mentorship.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, journalism or closely related field; or equivalent professional experience
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in multi-channel communications, content strategy, or professional writing; 2 years of proven experience managing and mentoring paid employees
• Proven success in developing comprehensive communications strategies and managing integrated digital campaigns.
• Advanced knowledge of CMS, email marketing platforms, and digital content production
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to write press releases and pitches quickly and accurately
• Proven understanding of the fundamentals of storytelling; ability to independently research and fact check stories
• Skilled with media tracking platforms such as Muck Rack, Meltwater, Cison or others
• Knowledge on the latest updates, features, trends and best practices in public relations
• Detail-oriented with the ability to maintain a high level of quality assurance
• Solutions-oriented, adaptable and positive attitude; fast turnaround times and a high production/output

Preferred

• Spanish speaking is preferred but not required.
• Photography and video production/editing skills, graphic design a plus

Benefits

• Austin Pets Alive! is proud to offer a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including subsidized employer-sponsored medical coverage, subsidized and voluntary life insurance, voluntary dental, vision and short-term disability options, all effective the first day of employment. We also offer voluntary wellness and emergency sick plans, up to 2% match on 401(K) retirement plan, supplemental benefits, flexible spending accounts and additional life coverage. Full-time employees receive 10 paid holidays and accrue 10 days paid time off during the first year of employment, with an additional 5 days of PTO accrual upon completion of 12 months of employment. Employees will also receive professional development opportunities through APA!’s ongoing mission to advance our animal welfare professionals in our life saving work.