Manager, Marketing Strategy

Best Friends Animal Society is dedicated to animal welfare and community engagement, and they are seeking a Marketing Manager to lead localized marketing strategies for the NWA Pet Resource Center. The role involves driving community-centered marketing campaigns, managing local content and social media, and mentoring direct reports to ensure effective marketing execution.

Responsibilities:

• Lead Localized Marketing Strategy: Drive integrated, community-centered marketing campaigns for the NWA Pet Resource Center, collaborating with cross-functional teams and serving as the primary local marketing contact
• Manage Local Content and Social Media: Oversee content calendars, promotions, and social media efforts that align with Best Friends’ brand voice, strategic goals, and broader campaigns. Provides oversight, accountability, and strategic integration—and can step in to manage social if needed
• Leverage Data to Inform Performance: Monitor, analyze, and report on marketing metrics—including social media and campaign performance—to drive continuous improvement
• Strengthen Media and Influencer Partnerships: Work alongside the Senior Specialist, who leads primary relationships with local press, influencers, and community partners. Provide strategic guidance, remove barriers, and help expand reach and impact through coordinated efforts with PR and editorial teams
• Support Local Events and Community Engagement: Partner closely with the Community Programs teams to support the marketing and promotion of local events. Take an active role in firming up event details and reviewing marketing materials for accuracy and completeness, including social media, flyers, and signage, to ensure strong visibility, brand alignment, and local relevance. Provide structure around timelines and deliverables, and track and analyze performance data to help inform which events and partnerships are prioritized over time
• Mentor and Manage Direct Reports and Volunteers: Provide guidance, feedback, and professional development to ensure effective and aligned local marketing execution
• Champion Inclusive and Culturally Relevant Marketing: Support the development of inclusive campaigns that reflect NWA’s diversity and deepen community connections to the organization’s mission

Requirements:

• 6+ years of experience in marketing, communications, or community engagement, ideally in nonprofit or cause-based environments
• Proven ability to lead campaigns from concept to execution with measurable results, using data and analytics to evaluate performance and inform continuous improvement
• Experience managing and growing social platforms (especially Instagram and Facebook), with a strong understanding of content strategy, analytics, and audience development
• Experience developing and managing targeted digital advertising strategies (e.g., social media ads, display ads) to expand reach, attract new audiences, and re-engage existing supporters
• Ability to align paid media with broader marketing campaigns to drive measurable results
• Proven ability to lead complex projects across multiple teams, balancing competing priorities and timelines in a fast-paced environment
• Skilled at building strong cross-functional relationships, influencing without authority, and driving alignment to deliver high-impact results
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and inspire team members
• Skilled at fostering a collaborative and positive team culture
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to tailor messaging for diverse audiences
• Familiarity with multicultural marketing
• Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time (around NWA, within Arkansas, and out of state) and able to travel by various modes of transportation (plane, car, etc.)
• Routinely lift 65 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending
• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold
• Ability to be in a shelter environment and work in the presence of and handle both cats and dogs, including organizations where cats and dogs are currently being killed for space
• Spanish bilingual skills are a plus but not required