Marketing & Communications Director

The Marketing & Communications Director works collaboratively with the Director of Advancement and Ruff Start Rescue’s management team to help create strategies that enhance organizational visibility and build Ruff Start Rescue’s brand. This includes defining Ruff Start Rescue’s core messaging and brand identity, and developing an organization-wide communications strategy. The Marketing & Communications Director, leading a small team of staff and approximately 20+ highly dedicated and skilled volunteers, is responsible for articulating that vision and mission to the general public using direct strategies and tactics in public relations, direct marketing, social media, and other online marketing tools to engage Ruff Start Rescue’s audiences.

Availability: 40+ hours a week. Must have a flexible schedule and availability. Weekend and evening hours may be required monthly. Must be on-site at the Princeton office 3 days a week, and the rest of the week is remote.

• Develop and own a 12-24 month marketing strategy aligned with Ruff Start Rescue’s mission, strategic plan, fundraising goals, and long-term brand positioning.
• Establish and communicate clear annual marketing priorities that guide organization-wide decision-making.
• Serve as the internal authority on brand voice, messaging standards, and storytelling strategy.
• Lead cross-department collaboration to ensure marketing effectively supports development, programs, operations, and community engagement.

• Define and maintain a cohesive brand identity across all digital, print, media, and campaign communications.
• Ensure messaging is transparent, mission-driven, emotionally compelling, and aligned with long-term trust-building goals.
• Guide the organization in strategic storytelling decisions, including what stories should (and should not) be told and why.
• Oversee and evaluate all marketing materials and initiatives to ensure alignment with mission, audience engagement, and impact.

• Establish performance benchmarks for website, email, social media, and digital campaigns based on peer nonprofit and industry standards.
• Regularly benchmark Ruff Start Rescue against comparable organizations and translate analytics into actionable strategy.
• Monitor digital trends, platform updates, and algorithm changes; adapt marketing strategy accordingly.
• Provide monthly performance reporting to leadership with analysis, insights, and forward-looking recommendations.

• Own website strategy, architecture, and user experience with a focus on clarity, accessibility, SEO, and conversion.
• Lead website planning, implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure all digital touchpoints support fundraising, engagement, and long-term brand authority.

• Partner with the Advancement team to align marketing and fundraising strategies.
• Lead marketing support for major initiatives, including impact reports, capital campaign communications, annual campaigns, and donor engagement efforts.
• Strategically differentiate and execute engagement campaigns versus fundraising campaigns.

• Lead and develop marketing staff and volunteers, including the Social Media Specialist and creative contributors.
• Define performance standards grounded in industry benchmarks and set measurable OKRs aligned with growth and fundraising goals.
• Conduct regular 1:1 meetings and performance evaluations.
• Delegate execution while retaining strategic oversight and accountability.
• Oversee marketing budget and ensure merchandise and digital fundraising efforts meet established goals.

• Oversee digital marketing campaigns across social media, email, website, and paid advertising.
• Direct creation of high-quality, brand-aligned print and digital collateral.
• Manage email marketing strategy, including newsletters, fundraising promotions, and automated workflows.
• Ensure consistent publishing cadence and build a content library that strengthens search visibility and long-term digital authority.