Vice President, Strategic Communications and Public Relations

Salary Range
The general range for this full-time position is $180,000 – $225,000. Salary offers will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, skills, training, and education.

Position Overview
Humane World for Animals, a global leader in animal advocacy and protection, is seeking a Vice President, Strategic Communications and Public Relations for the Communications and Brand department. In this position, you will partner with senior leadership to develop, direct, and oversee communications strategy, planning, and execution.

This role will collaborate with and leverage our cross-functional global team of executives and other leaders to develop and deploy communications across various channels, audiences, and regions. You will be responsible for aligning communications, public relations, and brand messaging strategy to reinforce Humane World family of organizations’ leadership, impact, and deep commitment to tackling the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering.

This position leads global messaging for Humane World for Animals, including communications activities that drive the mission priorities and promote, enhance, and protect the organization’s brand and reputation.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development of an integrated strategic communications plan to advance brand awareness, broaden supporter engagement, develop media strategy including Share of Voice, and increase visibility of programs and priorities across key stakeholder audiences in multiple countries.

Oversee development of overarching and campaign/initiative-specific brand plans that include specific goals, target markets and audiences, creative assets, performance evaluation, and optimization.

Manage and develop teams handling global PR and media relations, executive communications, and brand content strategy. Oversee day-to-day activities, including budgeting.

Through oversight and implementation of an annual communications plan and calendar, prioritize and execute complex multi-channel content. Implement solutions requiring cross-functional coordination. Establish tactical and operational plans for messaging in collaboration with marketing and creative teams.

Create and lead strategy for executive platforms for multiple C-suite executives as thought leaders in the animal protection space. Cultivate meaningful relationships with high-level external audiences, including media and key influencers. Identify high-visibility speaking opportunities and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting materials.

Provide strategic public relations leadership by staying abreast of developments in the global media landscape, maintaining understanding of enterprise-wide programs and priorities, and overseeing media relations strategy to build a favorable public image.

Lead reputation management and crisis response communications, advising on messaging development, providing real-time crisis support, serving as a spokesperson, and analyzing post-crisis outcomes to improve tactics.

Advise staff on emerging challenges and crisis communications. Periodically assess content review processes to balance efficiency and reputational risk. Ensure compliance with creative standards, organizational messaging, and brand guides.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience required; advanced degree strongly preferred.

Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in communications, including public relations, brand management, or media relations. Experience in a nonprofit environment highly desirable.

Management experience of a team of at least 15 people, including leadership responsibilities for staff, strategy development, execution, and fiscal management, preferably in the animal welfare arena.

Proven understanding of evolving public relations and brand communications strategies and technologies. In-depth knowledge of brand development and performance evaluation.

Demonstrated ability to pitch/publicize the organization’s mission, programs, and reputation, incorporating fundraising messaging.

Superior leadership, diplomacy, and staff management skills. Ability to set accountabilities, manage performance, and achieve results.

Ability to stay current on communications trends and best practices.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to translate information into meaningful messages across multiple formats.

Knowledge of business operations, including budget development and management, and ability to translate strategic thinking into action plans.

High level of confidence, integrity, interpersonal skills, and professional executive presence for interacting with internal and external stakeholders, facilitating meetings, and public speaking.

Strong critical thinking, analytical skills, and sound judgment for complex situations.

Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills; able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Creative, collaborative, proactive, and self-motivated in execution of responsibilities.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-energy, deadline-driven environment.

Account management experience preferred.

Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Availability to work long hours if a crisis arises.

Work Location
This is a full-time remote position based in the United States.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital or parental status, or protected veteran status. EOE

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