Location: Remote within LA - frequent onsite visits to our center, partners, and in person community engagement is required.

Hiring Range: This position’s hiring range is anticipated to be $85,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on experience, plus great benefits!

Recruiter phone screens will begin after August 1st.

Position Summary: The Manager, Marketing Strategy, Lifesaving Center is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies focused on engaging communities around lifesaving and positive attention. They will focus on working locally with Los Angeles communities to inform them of how to support lifesaving in the Lifesaving Center, the local shelters and increase positive experiences with the Best Friends brand. This is a highly visible and collaborative role that requires exceptional event planning, project management, resourcefulness and communication skills and the ability to speak effectively to all levels in the organization. This role requires travel (up to 20%) and would start with one direct report.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Treat people around you as our most valuable resource by leading with Kindness and Compassion in all your actions, build trust by demonstrating authenticity and following through on your commitments, encourage self-care and work-life balance through your own example.

• Lead the design and execution of impact-based Los Angeles Lifesaving Center marketing plans including strategy, tactics, plans, shared metrics, and activation of messaging (This will include Programs AND Marketing Initiatives and use consistent planning/execution tools around social, event registration, classes, etc.).

• Create and implement Content calendars, marketing campaigns and regular and visible local promotions for Best Friends initiatives in collaboration with Programs, Multicultural Marketing, PR, and with coordinators to work with creative team on new copy and visual elements for campaigns that drive local relevance and lifesaving urgency.

• Establish, lead and foster collaborative relationships with fosters/adopters/and future BFAS engagers, local / regional media organizations, local / regional companies, local / regional NGO’s or other influential organizations that can help promote our brand, our mission and No Kill 2025 goal.

• Connect a Programs calendar to a Marketing calendar across all touchpoints including brand Experience, signage/branding of brick-and-mortar locations, data collection, promotions, and all other relevant events/activities.

• Lead or assist PR and editorial teams with LOCAL media and story opportunities. Serve as marketing lead for local interviews, coordinating with community engagement lead and relaying information to program lead.

• Focus on prospecting for new customers in addition to re-engaging with existing ones, use consistent branding that invites participation, welcomes all and connects people with emotion, action and shareable experiences.

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience managing employees and teams. Strong leadership and decision-making skills with the ability to lead and develop a team.

• 5-10 years in marketing role or advertising agency, including experience with brick-and-mortar marketing. Implementing strategies to drive foot traffic and engage the community at physical locations. Experience working with non-profits a plus.

• A minimum of 5 years of strong marketing and brand strategy experience that includes building brand and messaging architectures, and a keen understanding of consumers, their lifestyles, and online behavior. Previous experience working across all marketing and communications channels across diverse audience is required with proven success and experience with developing and implementing cross-cultural marketing campaigns. 

• Prior experience in promotion, stunt, event, and experiential marketing used to effectively build awareness, generate buzz, increase foot traffic, and boost engagement.

• Familiarity and understanding of the communities within Los Angeles and the current marketing landscape as well as experience driving effective community engagement.

• Experience with gathering customer relationship data and the use of data to continuously test to refine tactics used across marketing campaigns, outreach efforts and in support of audience growth, engagement, and revenue generation.

• The ability to use data to inform, develop and implement division and department level strategic plans, including change management strategies and program direction.

• Excellent organizational and project leadership skills with proven ability to juggle the details while still seeing the big picture. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Deep understanding of the digital landscape including existing and emerging channels, and trendspotting to enhance and increase outreach, brand recognition and reputation.

• Excellent communication skills, public speaking, and presentation experience with the ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ position on issues; experience in supporting, engaging with, and developing relationships with volunteers and donors.

• Bi-lingual or multi-lingual skills preferred, but not required. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with Asana, Widen, Trello, Avochato, Google products, and/or desire to learn, willing and comfortable learning new systems, including online information systems. 

• Ability to work remotely and prioritize effectively.

• Prior experience, knowledge, and/or familiarity with animal welfare in the form of volunteering, marketing, or employment is a plus. 

• Strong interpersonal skills, a collaborative worker, upbeat, energetic, tactful, and diplomatic, able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time, perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, walking, arm, and hand motion.    

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time (around LA, El Granada, and out of state) and able to travel by various modes of transportation (plane, car, etc.).

• When onsite at shelters physical activity may include, but is not limited to, lifting up to 40 pounds, bending, stooping, reaching, squatting, and cleaning.

• Ability to be in a shelter environment and handle dogs of all sizes and cats when necessary.  

• Ability to be in a shelter environment and work in the presence of both cats and dogs, including organizations where cats and dogs are currently being killed for space. 

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society.  Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by Best Friends Animal Society.