Job Description
ABOUT US
Wags & Walks is a 501c3 nonprofit dog rescue in Los Angeles, Nashville and New York that’s rescued over 15,000 dogs since 2011. We are a community of dog lovers working to promote shelter dogs as the best dogs in the world through advocacy of our unique family-friendly foster and adoption programs.
Marketing Lead
Full-Time · Salaried · Reports to Head of Marketing
Duties & Responsibilities
The Marketing Lead supports the day-to-day execution and long-term strategy of Wags & Walks’ marketing efforts, overseeing a team of two full-time coordinators and working cross-functionally to elevate storytelling, drive engagement, and expand the organization’s reach. This is a mission-driven role based in Los Angeles, CA, that is ideal for a creative leader who is passionate about animal rescue and building community through digital storytelling.
Strategy, Content, and Storytelling (~20%)
- Lead or contribute to ideation for campaigns and initiatives that build awareness, drive adoptions, and support fundraising.
- Develop and maintain both weekly content schedules (Instagram, TikTok, Mailchimp) and the yearly content calendar, ensuring alignment with campaigns and storytelling goals.
- Research and track social media trends, content formats, and platform updates to keep content fresh and relevant.
- Analyze performance data weekly, pulling insights to improve strategy and guide creative direction.
- Support the continued growth of Wags & Walks’ storytelling presence across platforms.
- Strengthen community engagement by fostering authentic connection, encouraging repeat interaction, and building loyalty with social media followers.
Content Creation & Execution (~20%)
- Create or support high-priority content for campaigns, fundraising, events, and harder-to-place dogs, using storytelling to maximize impact.
- Step in to write captions, build Reels/TikToks, or shape visuals as needed to meet deadlines or elevate storytelling.
- Ensure all content meets brand standards and reflects the tone, mission, and visual identity of Wags & Walks.
- Write and edit on-brand copy for social posts, captions, marketing collateral, and website updates—ensuring all campaign-related content is current, relevant, and aligned with brand voice.
- Assist in creating marketing materials (event flyers, social graphics, etc.) using Canva and Adobe Creative Suite as needed.
- Oversee and support the creation and publishing of content across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, ensuring consistency in voice, quality, and posting cadence.
Team Leadership & Workflow Management (~20%)
- Manage and mentor two full-time Marketing Coordinators, ensuring deadlines, deliverables, and content quality are met.
- Provide regular feedback and direction, helping team members grow their skills and confidence.
- Keep team priorities aligned and adjust plans as needed when timelines shift.
- Identify opportunities to delegate to volunteers and collaborate with the volunteer team to alleviate workload, especially for content collection, including encouraging and organizing foster-generated photos, videos, and bios.
Growth, Partnerships & Audience Development (~25%)
- Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., Adoptions, Foster, Development) to support the growth of key initiatives and campaigns, with an emphasis on reaching new and diverse audiences in Southern California.
- Propose and support new marketing programs that drive visibility, deepen engagement, and expand the Wags & Walks community (e.g., Doggie’s Day Out, Pup Club).
- Collaborate with the Head of Marketing and Directors on brand partnerships, PR initiatives, and influencer engagement, ensuring all social deliverables are executed on time and to a high standard.
- Proactively monitor engagement from verified users, influencers, and celebrity/brand accounts—flagging VIP tour opportunities or long-term partnership potential.
- Liaise with influencers and brand ambassadors to engage them as volunteers, content collaborators, or campaign participants.
- Oversee and support proactive outreach via Instagram DMs to secure brand partnerships, in-kind donations, and promotional collaborations—especially during high-priority fundraising moments like the Gala and Online Auction.
Meetings & Communication (~10%)
- Come prepared to weekly marketing meetings with updates, roadblocks, insights, and team needs.
- Maintain ongoing, clear communication with the Head of Marketing, sharing performance trends, team dynamics, and challenges requiring support.
- Offer feedback and ideas to improve collaboration and internal workflows.
Key Qualities
- Creative and strategic thinker with a passion for mission-driven storytelling
- Strong leadership and organizational skills, able to manage priorities and guide a team
- Confident in enforcing brand standards and delivering high-quality, on-brand content
- Proactive and self-motivated, able to take initiative and solve problems independently
- Skilled communicator who can collaborate cross-functionally and support team dynamics
- Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
- Enthusiastic about animal rescue and the broader Wags & Walks mission
Qualifications
- 3–5+ years of experience in marketing, communications, or a related field, preferably in the nonprofit or mission-driven sector
- Proven experience creating and managing social media content across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
- Strong understanding of brand storytelling, visual content strategy, and copywriting
- Experience with tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Mailchimp, and basic CMS platforms (e.g., Squarespace)
- Comfortable using or learning project management tools (e.g., Monday.com, Airtable, Google Drive)
- Familiarity with analyzing social media and email analytics to inform content strategy
- Experience managing or mentoring junior staff or freelancers is highly preferred
- Knowledge of influencer marketing, PR engagement, and digital partnerships is a plus
Job Tags
Full time, Freelance, Flexible hours, Shift work,