Director of Communications

Director of Communications

Position Summary

The Director of Communications serves as the public voice and brand ambassador for the Austin Humane Society, helping to elevate awareness, engagement, and support for the shelter’s mission, animals, programs, volunteers, and community impact. This position requires a high-energy, creative, and organized professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about animal welfare and community engagement.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this highly visible role is responsible for developing and executing innovative communication strategies across media relations, public relations, digital marketing, social media, and community outreach. This role has one direct report.

Why Join Us?

The Austin Humane Society is Austin’s oldest no-kill animal, private non-profit animal shelter. AHS is dedicated to serving Austin’s homeless cats and dogs, educating our community about responsible pet ownership, and reducing pet overpopulation. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day by being the public voice of the mission of AHS. You would be working alongside a passionate team, helping animals find FURever homes, while engaging a passionate community of supporters, volunteers, and advocates.

This role requires a visible and active presence both within the shelter and throughout the community. Evening and weekend work may occasionally be required for events, media opportunities, or urgent communications.

Key Responsibilities

Brand & Public Relations

• Serve as the organization’s primary communications representative and public-facing brand ambassador.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local and regional media outlets.
• Coordinate media interviews, press conferences, public statements, and crisis communications.
• Develop compelling stories that highlight our animals, volunteers, staff, donors, fosters, and organizational programs.
• Ensure consistent brand messaging and voice across all communication channels.

Marketing & Community Engagement

• Develop innovative campaigns that promote shelter programs, events, adoption initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and fundraising efforts.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with leadership and departments to communicate organizational priorities and successes.
• Create all written content for the organization including electronic and printed newsletters, event scripts, press releases and more.
• Support event promotion, sponsorship visibility, and community partnerships.
• Identify creative opportunities to expand public awareness and community involvement.
• Lead fundraising efforts for various online campaigns including Giving Tuesday, Amplify Austin day and more.

Social Media & Digital Presence

• Manage team to lead a robust social media presence to increase community engagement, awareness, adoptions, volunteerism, and fundraising support across a variety of platforms.
• Oversee creation of engaging digital content including videos, graphics, photos, campaigns, live coverage, and written storytelling.
• Handle escalated public comments, inquiries, and community concerns on digital platforms.
• Oversee the organization’s website including updating copy, troubleshooting issues and creating pages for new programs or events.

Leadership & Strategy

• Work closely with the CEO to develop strategic communication priorities aligned with organizational goals.
• Manage communication calendars, campaigns, deadlines, and external messaging.
• Oversee communication budgets, vendors, and external creative partners as needed.
• Track communication metrics and provide regular reporting on engagement, media coverage, and campaign effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, media, marketing, or related leadership roles.
• Strong experience managing social media platforms and digital engagement strategies.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience working with media outlets and handling public-facing communications.
• Highly organized with strong project management and multitasking abilities.
• Creative thinker with the ability to develop innovative communication campaigns.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, emotionally driven environment.
• Passion for animal welfare and community impact strongly preferred.
• Experience with Word Press, Mail Chimp, Luminate Online, or Raiser’s Edge a plus

Key Competencies

• High energy and initiative
• Strategic and creative thinking
• Public speaking and media presence
• Strong organizational skills
• Relationship building
• Crisis communication
• Adaptability and resilience
• Collaborative leadership
• Storytelling and content creation
• Copy writing and editing
• Strong eye for detail

Pay: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Why are you interested in this role?

Work Location: In person