Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

The Role: Reports to: CEOLocation: Remote, USOverview: This executive leadership role is responsible for shaping and leading Mercy For Animals' global communications, marketing, branding, and public relations strategy. As Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, you will architect strategies and campaigns that will help transform how the world sees farmed animals and industrial agriculture. You'll ensure our mission resonates widely and effectively across diverse audiences by strengthening our brands, increasing how meaningfully different audiences support our mission, and engaging stakeholders through data-driven and creative strategies. This is about narrative change at a global scale.

You'll harness the power of investigative storytelling, celebrity partnerships, cutting-edge digital strategies, and emerging AI technologies to reach every kitchen table, every boardroom, and every policy discussion worldwide. You'll oversee global teams in communications, digital marketing, and PR while playing a key leadership role in increasing visibility, brand recognition, and supporter engagement. Strategic Communications & Marketing Opportunity: You'll have the opportunity to assess MFA's current Marketing and Communications practices across different departments and identify areas for improvement and enhanced strategic alignment.

This involves evaluating our current approach to messaging and communications to maximize strategic clarity, effectiveness, and impact through collaborative enhancement rather than wholesale changes. A critical aspect of this role involves navigating Mercy For Animals' three interconnected communications areas while managing competing organizational demands. You'll strategically balance high-impact storytelling—from investigations to campaigns—with brand-building efforts that position Mercy For Animals as a household name, ensuring that all Marketing and Communications efforts are aligned to inspire action, deepen engagement, and drive sustainable philanthropic support.

Success requires making strategic choices about which messages take priority across different channels—saying "yes" to some opportunities while tactfully declining others—all while managing internal stakeholders who naturally champion their own projects. Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Assessment & Communications EnhancementEvaluate MFA's current Marketing and Communications practices across departments to identify opportunities for improved strategic clarity and enhanced effectivenessDevelop recommendations for optimizing communications strategy while fostering collaborative relationships across all departmentsWork with teams to implement improvements that enhance coordination and eliminate potential gaps in messagingEstablish clear guidelines for communications priorities, resource allocation, and cross-departmental collaborationStrategic Brand, Communications & Marketing LeadershipLead the development and guardianship of Mercy For Animals' global brands to ensure they consistently inspire action, garner public support, and drive narrative change across all public-facing platforms and materialsDevelop and implement comprehensive Marketing and Communications strategies tailored to diverse stakeholders including donors, passive and active supporters, institutional partners, media, and staffCreate and constantly refine, in conjunction with the Chief Strategy Officer, strategic guidelines for PR, social media, digital marketing, and integrated campaignsProvide messaging guidance and content strategy across all Marketing and Communications channels, including social media, fundraising, advocacy, and internal campaignsContinuously evaluate messaging efficacy through research and adapt guidance to all teamsDigital Marketing Innovation & AI IntegrationLead a results-driven digital marketing strategy across email, SMS, SEO/SEM, organic and paid social media, digital advertising, and emerging platforms to drive lead generation, inspire action, and convert engagement into sustainable supportDevelop and implement cross-channel content strategies that use AI-powered tools to personalize messaging for segmented audiences, deepen supporter journeys, and increase impact at every stage of engagementEvaluate and optimize digital systems, tools, and processes—including AI-enabled platforms—for scalability, cost-effectiveness, and streamlined integration across marketing, communications, and fundraising functionsOversee UX/UI strategy and content architecture for Mercy For Animals' websites, while building robust analytics and dashboards that track performance across digital, brand, and media effortsStay at the forefront of emerging digital and AI trends to continually enhance Mercy For Animals' ability to inspire action, build public support, and scale meaningful engagementPublic Relations & Media StrategyLead the global PR strategy, with a strong focus on the United States, expanding Mercy For Animals' presence in mainstream and digital mediaDrive partnerships with influencers and celebrities to produce high-impact campaigns and movement-building contentManage creative partnerships with advertising and media agencies to produce high-impact campaigns and movement-building contentBuild strategic media relationships to ensure investigations reach the widest possible audiences through mainstream and specialized outletsNarrative Change & Investigative StorytellingCollaborate with the Strategy team on the execution of Global Priority 2 (Build momentum for wider change through campaigns that increase active support and shift narratives) and campaign development aimed at shifting public narratives about animal agricultureTransform powerful undercover investigations into compelling multimedia narratives that capture global attention and drive meaningful change while respecting the gravity of animal sufferingBuild and strengthen MFA's brand presence to amplify our narrative reach, establishing the organization as a trusted authority whose voice carries further in driving industry accountability and policy reformCross-Functional Leadership & Fundraising SupportSupport the Fundraising team with storytelling, campaign alignment, and audience engagement strategies to strengthen donor acquisition, retention and upgradeFoster a high-performing, inclusive, and mission-aligned culture across the marketing, PR, and communications teamsPromote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the team and through all Marketing and Communications workWork closely with investigations, policy, corporate outreach, and international teams to ensure Marketing and Communications strategies amplify all organizational prioritiesThe Leader:

Strong candidates for this role will possess a majority of the following professional and personal attributes and competencies: Leadership & Strategic ExperienceProven experience in senior leadership roles in communications, marketing, branding, or integrated marketing communications, preferably in high-impact nonprofits, advocacy and/or social justice campaigns, or mission-driven companiesMinimum 15 years of relevant experience, including 10 years of managing diverse teams and cross-functional collaborationStrong project management and team leadership abilities, with comfort navigating ambiguity and fast-moving environmentsPreferred:

Established relationships with media contacts who can amplify our reach and improve coverage opportunities for newsworthy announcementsMarketing and Communications ExpertiseDemonstrated success in integrated Marketing and Communications, brand management, campaign development, and strategic communicationsExpertise in digital marketing and data-driven decision-making, including content strategy, performance marketing, analytics, and audience journey designExperience overseeing PR strategy and cultivating relationships with media and influencersStrong creative judgment, storytelling, and written communication skillsMission-Driven FocusExperience working with investigative content, documentary storytelling, or journalism that exposes systemic issuesAbility to work with emotionally challenging content documenting animal abuse while maintaining focus on strategic objectivesFamiliarity with nonprofit fundraising campaigns and donor engagement strategies is a plusPassion for Mercy For Animals' mission and deep commitment to animal protection and sustainable food systemsTechnical & Global CapabilitiesDeep expertise in digital marketing across all major platforms, with experience driving viral content and sustained engagementFamiliarity with AI tools for content creation, audience analysis, and campaign optimizationExperience with international marketing and communications campaigns, including cultural adaptation and localization strategiesFluency in English; additional languages are a plusWillingness to travel internationally occasionallyProficiency with a range of marketing and communications systems and tools (e.

g. , CRM, CMS, marketing automation, analytics), with a focus on optimizing platforms to streamline workflows and amplify impact