Vice President, Marketing

American Humane Society (AHS) is seeking an experienced Vice President, Marketing responsible for the evolution and integrity of the American Humane Society (AHS) and Global Humane Society (GHS) brand and the development and deployment of marketing strategies to achieve the critical business objectives for the first animal welfare organization in the country as well as position the organization for international growth. This position will be hybrid based at the DC office and reports directly to the Senior Vice President & Chief Growth Officer.

For nearly 150 years, American Humane Society (AHS) has led the way in protecting animals and strengthening the bonds between animals and people. We respond first when animals need rescue, shelter, or protection. Through our groundbreaking programs – from our “No Animals Were Harmed®” certification in Hollywood to our farm and conservation welfare standards – we set the highest level of care and compassion in animal protection.

Working at AHS means being part of something bigger. With offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, we provide a supportive, professional environment where your work makes a real difference in animals’ lives. American Humane Society is committed to fostering a welcoming workplace. As we seek to fill this position, we highly encourage high-performing applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Marketing (VP) is responsible for the evolution and integrity of the American Humane Society (AHS) and Global Humane Society (GHS) brand and the development and deployment of marketing strategies to achieve the critical business objectives for the first animal welfare organization in the country as well as position the organization for international growth.

The VP will play a critical leadership role in defining the American Humane brand blueprint for the future, developing a strategy that defines how we go to market, redefining our value proposition, identifying target audiences, amplifying our partnerships, and driving best-in-class creative.

The VP will oversee, grow, and improve the awareness, interest, and ranking of American Humane’s brand. This critical role will determine long- and short-term objectives, develop strategies to achieve those goals, and ensure the marketing team stays focused and executes high-value, high-impact activities. The VP will lead the analytical, creative, and digital elements of marketing including brand and positioning, building advocacy and influencers, content marketing, market analytics, program sales, and fundraising support and lead generation.

They serve as the steward of the organization’s brand by providing strategic oversight of the marketing team and working cross-functionally to ensure seamless integration of strategies and goals for the organization. Working in collaboration with the Chief Communications Officer (CCO), the VP will ensure maintenance of the organization’s brand guidelines inclusive of its visual identity, naming architecture, positioning, pillars, and voice. The VP provides leadership and direction over traditional marketing channels, digital marketing, creative services, and partnership and sales marketing.

This role reports directly to the SVP & Chief Growth Officer and works closely and collaboratively with the President & CEO, EVP, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Program Officer, CCO, VP, Partnerships, and senior leadership across the organization.

Responsibilities

Marketing Strategy, Vision and Leadership

• Reimagine and implement a strategic marketing vision that embraces an integrated approach to positively build the brand through awareness and engagement with American Humane programs.
• Promote and protect the American Humane brand and message; broaden awareness and visibility of American Humane’s programs and priorities across key audiences; and, alongside key fundraising and program team members, enhance and grow American Humane’s base of donors and program customers.
• Work with the CGO, CPO, COO, CCO, VP, Partnerships, and relevant agency partners to refine the American Humane brand architecture, vision, and strategy – partnering with program leads across the organization to refine product value proposition, establish product-market fit, and design brand pillars that support programmatic offerings and program sales value propositions.
• Support American Humane’s CCO and CEO on PR and executive visibility plans.
• Ensure high-quality KPIs are set and employed to gauge the effectiveness of marketing across the organization and within partnership deliverables.
• Drive the development of “always-on” and seasonal/trend-driven marketing campaigns to increase brand awareness, consideration, and conversion.

Digital Marketing

• Lead all digital marketing channels and collaborate with the CCO and Director, Digital Fundraising to build consistent plans across the organization.
• Evaluate and enhance all of American Humane’s owned properties including web, digital, graphic design, social media, and marketing efforts with a broad focus on growing the organization’s brand and awareness.
• Oversee planning, execution, and optimization of all digital marketing campaigns across various channels such as SEO, SEM, social media, email marketing, display advertising, and content marketing.
• Drive acquisition efforts by formulating website optimization tactics to generate new donors and customers.
• Monitor and analyze KPIs to evaluate effectiveness and make data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in digital marketing.
• Develop and manage the digital marketing budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to maximize ROI.

Partnership and Program Marketing

• Spearhead development of marketing strategies for development and program portfolios, including positioning, naming, target audiences, creative development, launch timing, and channel approach.
• Conduct and utilize research, data analytics, and market trends to uncover insights and achieve growth goals.
• Oversee stewardship of corporate and foundation partners, ensuring marketing partnership logistics are efficiently executed.
• Leverage partner relationships to advance American Humane’s brand recognition and marketing campaigns.
• Collaborate with development and program leadership on partnership opportunities that enhance brand positioning.

Communications

Work collaboratively with the Chief Communications Officer to ensure voice and brand consistency across the organization.

Program Leadership & Business Development

Work collaboratively with program heads and business development staff to ensure brand consistency across the organization.

Events

Collaborate with the events function to ensure brand consistency in all organizational events.

Team and Budget Management

• Oversee day-to-day activities of the marketing function including budgeting, planning, and staff development.
• Supervise contracted marketing projects and manage vendor/agency relationships.
• Build and lead a marketing team developing go-to-market strategies to grow the brand and donor base.
• Establish performance goals, assign accountabilities, and conduct annual performance appraisals.
• Promote a culture of high performance, learning, and continuous improvement.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 10–15 years of experience in a marketing leadership role.
• Experience building and managing a marketing team in the nonprofit or campaign-driven space with global brand-building experience.
• Expertise in brand architecture and product positioning in the digital landscape.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and knowledge of design, digital, and social media platforms.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Skilled at building internal and external relationships; sound judgment and professionalism.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Knowledge of corporate partnerships, cause marketing best practices, and BBB guidelines.
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff.
• Passion for American Humane’s mission.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.

Direct Reports: Director, Marketing; Marketing Team Members

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Position based in the DC Metro area with a hybrid work schedule.
• Ability to travel up to 25% and work some evenings and weekends.
• Comfortable with occasional animals in the office or at events.
• Regularly required to look at and work on a computer screen, and communicate via phone, virtually, and in person.

Core Values

American Humane Society’s core values define our workplace and guide how we advance our mission:

• Compassion – Being kind and caring in our interactions with others.
• Accountability – Holding ourselves to the highest standards and owning our actions.
• Respect for All – Being professional, listening to others, and honoring diversity in all its forms.
• Loyalty to Mission – Staying focused on our purpose and the animals and people we serve.
• Sustainability – Contributing to a great workplace and achieving our shared mission and goals.
• Honesty, Integrity, Trust – Demonstrating transparency and supporting one another as trusted stewards of donor resources.

American Humane Society (AHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a welcoming, supportive workplace where our work makes a real difference in animals’ lives.

Job Details

Title: Vice President, Marketing
Type: Exempt, Full-Time, 40 hours
Location: Hybrid, Washington, DC
Compensation: Up to $200,000

Apply here