Director of Marketing & Communications - Hope Reins

Armstrong McGuire & Associates; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care stipend

3% IRA match

23 PTO days

13 holidays

Health benefits starting March 2027

Job summary

Hope Reins is seeking a strategic Director of Marketing & Communications to lead brand, marketing, and fundraising initiatives for a Raleigh-based nonprofit. The role requires overseeing a team, collaborating with the development function, and expanding visibility for Hope Reins and The Academy.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of nonprofit marketing/communications experience, exceptional leadership, and strong written and verbal communication, with a track record of analytics-driven campaigns.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of relevant marketing and communications experience; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Proven ability to develop and execute multi-channel marketing plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with strong leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy aligned with the Hope Reins mission.
• Lead multi-channel campaigns to promote programs and impact across the organization.
• Build and drive Academy marketing plans to raise awareness and enrollment.
• Set measurable goals and evaluate performance metrics to guide decisions.
• Oversee website strategy, content, and analytics for an engaging online presence.
• Lead content strategy for social media with consistent brand tone.
• Manage the communications team, including staff and contractors.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Written & verbal communication

Digital marketing

Web analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing/communications

Job description

Career Opportunity

Hope Reins seeks a strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven leader to serve as its next Director of Marketing & Communications. The ideal candidate will develop and execute comprehensive marketing and communications strategies, steward a consistent and compelling brand, support fundraising and program growth, lead a high-performing communications team, and expand Hope Reins’ visibility and influence.

Mission:

To build resilience with kids in trauma through Christ-centered equine mentorship, and train others to do the same.

Reporting Structure

The Director of Marketing & Communications reports to the Chief Executive Officer and supervises the Marketing Manager, as well as communications contractors and vendors.

Salary:

Salary is commensurate with the requirements of the position and is in the $70,000 to $80,000 range. Benefits include health care stipend (January to February 2027), 3% IRA match, 23 PTO days, and 13 holidays. In 2027, moving to health benefits in March.

Working Location:

This Raleigh-based, full-time position requires 40 hours per week, including some Saturdays and evenings. Flexible schedule with the opportunity to work remote for a portion of the time.

Key Responsibilities of the Director of Marketing & Communications

Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy for Hope Reins and the Academy that aligns with the Hope Reins mission and goals

• Develop, implement, and regularly refine a comprehensive annual marketing and communications plan
• Lead the planning and execution of multi-channel campaigns to promote the mission, programs, and impact of Hope Reins and The Academy
• Build and drive Academy marketing plan and strategy to support goals with awareness, education and converting prospects to learners.
• Set measurable goals and evaluate performance metrics to guide strategic decisions
• Contribute to marketing effectiveness by identifying short- and long-term issues and proactively strategizing effective solutions
• Oversee website strategy, content updates, and performance analytics to ensure strong online presence with information that is compelling, up to date and integrated with organizational goals
• Lead content strategy for all social media platforms, maintaining consistent engagement and brand tone
• Stay current on trends and best practices in digital marketing and nonprofit communications

Build and manage the Hope Reins brand to ensure consistency and clarity across all platforms

• Steward the Hope Reins brand by ensuring consistency in tone, voice, visual identity, and message across all internal and external communications
• Maintain brand guidelines for staff, partners, and vendors
• Oversee development of branded materials, including print collateral, signage, merchandise, and digital assets
• Ensure all materials reflect the mission and values of Hope Reins

Support fundraising efforts with compelling donor communications and campaigns, working closely with the Director of Development and external partners

• Partner with the Development Team to design and execute compelling donor campaigns, appeals, and ongoing communications to meet revenue goals
• Identify and develop strategic fundraising content and collateral to support donor communications and engagement

Collaborate with other departments to support programmatic goals and ensure cohesive communication efforts

• Work closely with the Programs, Development, Operations and Academy teams to align messaging and share success stories
• Serve as a resource for staff regarding communication needs, tools, and guidance
• Ensure that marketing and communications efforts support and amplify programmatic goals and organizational priorities
• Participate in staff meetings and strategic planning sessions as a senior leader

Manage communications team, include staff/contractor and vendors

• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to communications team, including staff and vendors
• Own strategy and vision with vendors and contractors to ensure delivery of high-quality materials
• Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for team
• Conduct regular check-ins, performance reviews, and professional development planning
• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven team culture that values creativity, excellence, and continuous learning

Expand Hope Reins’ visibility and influence by establishing the organization as the leader in childhood trauma, healing and building resilience

• Partner with the CEO and organizational leadership to build a plan to strengthen Hope Reins’ external presence and identify opportunities for increased visibility, thought leadership, and engagements with key audiences.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• At least 10 years of relevant marketing and communications experience; nonprofit experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing impactful marketing plans and multi-channel communications strategies.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong people leadership, management, and interpersonal skills, with experience guiding staff, contractors, and vendors.
• Proficiency with communications technologies, digital platforms, and web analytics; current knowledge of marketing techniques and best practices.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage processes and transition among projects of varying scale, audience, format, and distribution channel.
• Collaborative, proactive, accountable, and committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct.
• Alignment with the mission and values of Hope Reins and a commitment to serving children and families impacted by childhood trauma.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or another relevant field.

About Hope Reins

Hope Reins is a Raleigh-based organization focused on helping children and families impacted by childhood trauma experience healing and build resilience. Through its programs and The Academy, Hope Reins serves key constituents including donors, learners, and volunteers while advancing awareness of childhood trauma, early intervention, healing, and resilience.

Want to know more?

Visit hopereins.org.