Head of Communications & Public Relations — Animal Welfare

ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous PTO

8 paid holidays per year

401(k) with employer contribution

Medical, Dental and Vision plans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Discounts on veterinary services

Job summary

The Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix seeks a visionary Director of Communications and Public Relations to lead our external and internal storytelling and position us as a national leader in animal welfare. This full-time leadership role sits at the Papago Park Campus and guides messaging across media, digital platforms, and internal channels.

You will drive media relations, crisis communications, branding and fundraising communications while partnering with senior leaders to amplify lifesaving

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 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.

Skills

Leadership

Media relations

Crisis communications

Reputation management

Internal communications

Fundraising communications

Integrated marketing

Brand strategy

Audience engagement

Written and verbal communication

Collaboration

Strategic thinking

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or Marketing

Tools

MS Office

PowerPoint

Google Docs

Asana

TVEyes

Cision

Hootsuite

Job description

The Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix seeks a visionary Director of Communications and Public Relations to lead our external and internal storytelling and position us as a national leader in animal welfare. This full-time leadership role sits at the Papago Park Campus and guides messaging across media, digital platforms, and internal channels.

You will drive media relations, crisis communications, branding and fundraising communications while partnering with senior leaders to amplify lifesaving