Vice President, Strategic Communications and Public Relations

Humane Society of the United States; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animal welfare organization is seeking a Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Relations. This full-time remote position requires expertise in public relations, leadership, and crisis management. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of experience and a strong grasp of communication strategies. Competitive salary range is $180,000 – $225,000 based on experience.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 15 years of experience in communications required.
• Management experience of a team of at least 15 people.
• Proficiency in crisis communication and brand management.

Responsibilities

• Develop an integrated strategic communications plan.
• Manage teams handling global PR and media relations.
• Lead reputation management and crisis response.

Skills

Leadership

Public relations

Strategic planning

Crisis management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Vice President, Strategic Communications and Public Relations

United States

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 4:00 AM

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.

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 the senior leadership to develop, direct and oversee communications strategy, planning and execution. This position 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 message strategy to reinforce Humane World family of organizations’ leadership, impact and deep commitment to tackling the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering.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.

This position oversees the development, integration, and implementation of an annual communications plan and calendar covering broad range of public and media relations, executive communications, brand advancement and reputation management activities, overseeing a cohesive messaging, media and brand advertising strategy and calendar that flows across multiple story-driven channels and supports marketing. Prioritizing key audiences in growing global markets, this role drives an inspiring, brand-consistent, geographically and programmatically diverse approach to story and message, advancing the organization’s mission, key priorities and brand equity around the world.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the development of an integrated strategic communications plan to advance brand awareness, broaden supporter engagement with organization’s work, develop strategy for media metrics including Share of Voice, increase the visibility of its programs and priorities across key stakeholder audiences in multiple countries. Oversees the development of overarching and campaign/initiative-specific brand plans that include specific goals, target markets and audiences, creative assets, performance evaluation and optimization;
• Manages and develops teams and individuals handling global PR and media relations, executive communications and brand content strategy. Oversees the day-to-day activities of the function, including budgeting;
• Through oversight and implementation of an annual communications plan and calendar, prioritizes and executes complex multi-channel content. Implements solutions to challenges that require cross-functional coordination. Establishes tactical and operational plans and strategies for our messaging, working with marketing and creative teams to match strategy with execution;
• Creates and leads strategy for developing executive platforms for multiple C-suite executives in their roles as thought leaders in the animal protection space, cultivating meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers. Identifies high visibility speaking slots, prepares talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting material as needed;
• Provides strategic public relations leadership by staying abreast of developments in the global media landscape, maintaining a broad understanding of enterprise-wide programs and priorities, and overseeing media relations’ strategy to build a favorable public image for Humane World family of organizations;
• Leads reputation management and the execution of crisis response communications, advising on messaging development and providing real-time crisis communications support, serving as a spokesperson, and analyzing post-crisis to improve tactics;
• Advises staff with reputation management roles in staying abreast of emerging challenges and managing crisis communications. Periodically collaborates to assess organizational content review process to manage for the appropriate balance of efficiency and reputational risk. Ensures compliance with creative standards, organization messaging and brand guides;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or equivalent work experience required; advanced degree in related field strongly preferred;
• A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in communications required including public relations, brand management or media relations Experience in a nonprofit environment highly desirable;
• Management experience of team of at least 15 people in a related field, which has included management and leadership responsibilities for staff, strategy development and execution, and fiscal and budget accountabilities, preferably in the animal welfare arena required;
• Proven grasp of the changing landscapes of public relations and brand communications strategy and business and utilizing new technologies to advance organizational messaging. In-depth knowledge of brand development and analyses to determine brand performance and competitiveness;
• Demonstrated knowledge of options and opportunities to pitch/publicize the organization’s mission, programs, and reputation, incorporating fundraising messaging to the public and constituents;
• Superior leadership and diplomacy skills with demonstrated knowledge and understanding of staff management practices and processes and the ability to establish accountabilities and expectations and manage performance to achieve results;
• Ability to stay abreast of trends and best practices in communications;
• Superior communication (written and verbal) skills with the ability to translate information into a meaningful, understandable context and message, regardless of the format (e.g., documents, public speaking situations, presentations, etc.);
• Knowledge of business operations, including effective budget development and management processes, as well as the ability to translate strategic thinking into action plans and related outcomes;
• A high level of confidence, integrity, interpersonal skills, and a professional executive presence for effectively interacting with and influencing others, internal and external to the organization, as well as for facilitating meetings and conducting public speaking/presentations;
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as the ability to handle complex situations and demonstrate sound judgment and problem-solving;
• Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple and often changing priorities and issues of varying complexity, while meeting time-sensitive deadlines and deliverables;
• Demonstrated propensity to be creative, collaborative, proactive, and self-motivated in the execution and completion of assigned accountabilities;
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-energy, demanding and deadline driven environment;
• Technical proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);
• The ability to work long hours should a crisis situation arise.

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

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