Director of Communications and Public Relations

ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous PTO

8 paid holidays

401(k) with employer contribution

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

PSLF program

Pet service discounts

Job summary

Arizona Humane Society seeks an accomplished Director of Communications and Public Relations to lead messaging, media relations and internal communications. You will partner with a national and local audience to share lifesaving stories and guide executive communications.

You will oversee crises, maintain brand integrity, and collaborate with fundraising and marketing to expand impact while mentoring a high-performing team of communicators.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or Marketing with a PR concentration.
• 8+ years of progressive communications/public relations experience with strategic leadership.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience developing high-performing teams.
• Experience advising senior executives on complex, high-profile issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of strategic communications initiatives to elevate the organization's brand.
• Advise executive leadership on messaging, thought leadership and sensitive issues.
• Oversee media relations, social media and storytelling to highlight lifesaving work.
• Direct crisis communications and protect the organization's reputation.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Reputation management

Leadership

Brand strategy

Audience engagement

Writing skills

Verbal communication

Internal communications

Fundraising communications

Strategic advising

Education

Bachelor's degree in PR/Communications

Tools

MS Office

PowerPoint

Google Docs

Asana

TVEyes

Cision

Hootsuite

Job description

Director of Communications and Public Relations

Are you a passionate communications leader looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of animals? The Arizona Humane Society is seeking a full-time Director of Communications and Public Relations to join our team at our Papago Park Campus! This position works Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, and offers an exciting opportunity to use your expertise to help amplify our lifesaving mission. Read on to learn more about this rewarding opportunity!

Paws Up For Great Benefits!

• Competitive salary
• Generous PTO program
• Up to 8 paid holidays per year
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Got student loans? Employment with AHS may qualify you for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program!
• Discounts on veterinary services and other pet perks!

Day in the Life:

As the Director of Communications and Public Relations at the Arizona Humane Society, you'll play a key leadership role in sharing our lifesaving mission, strengthening our reputation and inspiring our community to make a difference for animals in need. No two days will look exactly alike, but your impact will be felt across the organization!

• Lead Our Communications Strategy: Develop and execute strategic communications initiatives that elevate AHS' brand, support organizational goals and position us as a national leader in animal welfare.
• Be a Trusted Advisor: Partner closely with executive leadership to guide messaging, support thought leadership opportunities and navigate sensitive or high-profile communications.
• Share Our Lifesaving Stories: Oversee media relations, social media and multimedia storytelling, helping bring the incredible stories happening at AHS to life through compelling content, interviews and media opportunities.
• Protect Our Reputation: Lead crisis communications and proactive media strategies, ensuring AHS responds thoughtfully and effectively to emerging issues and opportunities.
• Keep Our Teams Connected: Oversee internal communications that keep employees and volunteers informed, engaged and connected to our mission.
• Collaborate Across Departments: Work alongside Marketing, Development and other leadership teams to align messaging, strengthen fundraising communications and inspire community support.
• Lead with Creativity and Strategy: Guide communications and social media teams, monitor media coverage, evaluate performance and identify new opportunities to expand AHS' reach and impact.

Every day, you'll have the opportunity to use your leadership, creativity and storytelling expertise to amplify the voices of animals in need and help advance a mission that truly makes a difference!

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or Marketing with a PR concentration.
• 8+ years of progressive communications/public relations experience, including strategic leadership.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Significant experience in media relations, crisis communications and reputation management; established Arizona media relationships strongly preferred.
• Experience advising senior executives on complex, sensitive and high-profile issues.
• Experience across internal, fundraising and mission-driven communications.
• Marketing experience or strong fluency in integrated marketing, brand strategy and audience engagement strongly preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex information into clear, compelling messages.
• Collaborative leader with executive presence, business acumen and the ability to build trust and influence across diverse audiences.
• Excellent judgment, adaptability and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with productivity, media monitoring, social media management and project management platforms; experience with MS Office, PowerPoint, Google Docs, Asana, TVEyes, Cision, Hootsuite or similar tools preferred.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers to type and operate standard office equipment, handle objects and materials, reach with hands and arms, and communicate effectively in person and by telephone. The employee may be required to occasionally climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or bend, particularly when attending events, visiting organizational facilities, or participating in photo, video, or media activities.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items weighing up to 10 pounds and may occasionally be required to carry or transport materials and equipment necessary for meetings, events, presentations, or media activities.

There will be occasional wet floors, animal noises, odors, and dander. Most time will be spent in a typical air-conditioned and heated office environment.

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Additional Information

The Arizona Humane Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a participant in the E-Verify program.

Ready to Join our team and make a difference every day?

Pre-employment background check is required.