Communications Specialist

Reporting to the Director of Marketing & Communications, the Communication Specialist will lead storytelling efforts by creating compelling copy and visual assets that broaden and deepen our engagement with audiences online and offline. You will work collaboratively, leading our asset capture strategy and management, including managing paid and volunteer videographers and photographers. You will support the Marketing Team in developing and sustaining a culture of storytelling throughout the organization and producing high-quality communications. 

The ideal candidate is passionate about discovering and telling powerful narratives that maximize engagement and spreading the message of East Bay SPCA’s innovative and impactful work. You want to know the impact of your work, setting benchmarks based on best practices and maintaining an effective metrics-based view across channels. 

East Bay SPCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to the welfare of dogs and cats in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human-animal bond through respected and accessible expertise. East Bay SPCA is one of the nation’s oldest humane organizations, in operation since 1874, and receives no funding from any national organizations. You can find more information about East Bay SPCA on our website at www.eastbayspca.org.

Category: Full-time; Exempt 

Location: Primarily Oakland, occasionally Dublin 

Reports to: Director of Marketing & Communications 

Benefits: East Bay SPCA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and future of our employees. Medical and dental benefits are fully covered, along with optional vision coverage. Employees can plan for their future with a 401(K) Retirement Plan featuring a 3% company contribution, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. The company also provides generous paid time off, starting at 120 hours per year, increasing to 160 hours after 5 years, and 200 hours after 10 years, plus 80 paid holiday hours annually and an additional personal holiday after one year. Employees enjoy extra perks such as waived pet adoption fees, discounted veterinary care, behavior and training classes, up to $75/month public transit/vanpool commuter reimbursement, and various industry discounts, including Pet Food Express.

Responsibilities

• Serve as multimedia storyteller and interviewer, developing compelling stories/posts/narratives appropriate for the platform and audience. Serve as on-camera talent and behind-the-scenes coordination.
• Manage and grow social media/community accounts in a way that inspires and engages our community and supports the mission and positioning of East Bay SPCA as a leader. Build and maintain a social media content calendar, track engagement (including promoted posts), respond to daily inquiries, monitor and report analytics, and create appropriate content and audience strategies that achieve marketing objectives and leverage current trends.
• Recruit (in partnership with the Volunteer Team) and manage paid and volunteer photographers/videographers to execute high-fidelity brand assets for campaigns, publications, and events.
• Lead the planning, creation and ROI tracking of monthly e-newsletter, collaborating with key internal stakeholders. Partners with Marketing & Outreach Coordinator to build e-newsletter audience.
• Lead in-kind media features for pet storytelling, such as “pet of the week,” etc.
• Contribute stories and copywriting to additional external communications, including, but not limited to, media outreach, direct marketing fundraising, print newsletters, internal and external enewsletters, annual report, etc.
• Maintain and update website content as needed for Marketing team, and requested by other departments, including graphics, navigation, and proofreading.
• Leverage Asana project management tool to track assigned tasks/projects, gather input, and to track assignments.
• Serve as project manager for select Marketing projects, in collaboration with all members of the team.
• Stay abreast of social media trends, content, storytelling, asset style trends, and trends within the animal welfare space. Bring updated best practices and recommendations to the team regularly. Manage storytelling efforts via a “story tracker” process organizing content.
• Attending and assisting with media appearances and on-site coverage as needed. Support and attend marketing, development, and other community events as required.
• Ensure the organization’s mission and brand are consistent and present.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least three years of storytelling and copywriting experience, with attention to detail for ensuring consistent, high-quality, on-brand, compelling content across various mediums that speak to a diverse audience. Familiarity with AP style.
• Expertise in multiple business/nonprofit settings with social media platforms and email marketing platforms such as MailChimp and associated analytics, as well as customer management/engagement across various community/social platforms (e.g., Meta, TikTok, and NextDoor). Experience developing strategy, execution, and budget management of promoted posts.
• Demonstrated experience creating innovative, engaging social media content, resulting in retention and growth in following.
• Experience in video and photo capture and editing, including the creation and editing of videos for a range of social platforms.
• Strong experience and ability with photo editing such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Canva.
• Professional experience in marketing or communications, including project management. Experience using Asana is a plus.
• Demonstrated track record of monitoring and analyzing metrics to measure the effectiveness of communications and content, developing reports showing engagement and ROI.
• Website editing expertise on platforms (e.g., WordPress) and social media scheduling platforms (e.g., Later).
• High proficiency using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
• Must be able to work directly with dogs and cats.

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an animal shelter environment with exposure to detergents, cleaning products, wet and humid environments, and seasonal outdoor conditions
• Must be available to work when and where needed by the organization. Must be willing to work occasional irregular hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Animal contact and related injuries, including bites and scratches, may occur.
• Noise exposure varies and often includes barking and other animal vocalizations
• Animal waste contact, smells, and visual exposure are prevalent
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds frequently and occasionally lift to 75 pounds with assistance. Must be able to push and/or pull over 50 pounds occasionally
• Frequent standing, walking, typing, bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and stooping.