Head of Content Strategy, Communications

Remote (United States)

Job Details

Employment Type: Full-time, exempt

Reporting Line: Reports to the Communications Director

Travel: Periodic travel is required for staff meetings and retreats, estimated at 1–3 trips per year.

Compensation

Starting Salary: $139,209 per year

Higher Geographic Rate: $146,536 per year, for candidates located within 25 miles of Washington, D.C.; Cotati, CA; or Los Angeles, CA.

Highest Geographic Rate: $153,863 per year, for candidates located within 25 miles of New York City or San Francisco, CA.

Salary is set according to the role and geographic factors. To maintain internal pay equity, salary is not negotiated outside the published starting rate.

About the Role

The Head of Content Strategy, Communications will lead the development, production, and distribution of high-quality editorial content that supports the organization’s mission and expands brand reach and impact.

This role is responsible for guiding the editorial voice, maintaining consistent messaging and branding across communications channels, and overseeing day-to-day publishing operations across platforms. The position leads writing, digital, and social media staff and works closely with program, development, and leadership teams to turn complex issues into clear, compelling, and accessible content for diverse audiences.

What You’ll Do

Brand Stewardship & Editorial Strategy

• Manage, strengthen, and enforce the organization’s brand voice, ensuring consistent messaging across all content.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive editorial strategy aligned with organizational priorities and campaigns.
• Expand the reach and impact of editorial content across digital, print, and multimedia channels.
• Define content goals, voice, tone, and messaging guidelines.
• Identify storytelling opportunities that elevate the organization’s impact and thought leadership.
• Manage the editorial calendar across digital, print, and multimedia platforms.
• Develop messaging frameworks for large bodies of institutional work.
• Maintain strong editorial standards, including accuracy, fact-checking, and ethical storytelling practices.

Content Development & Production

• Oversee the creation of digital and printed content, including articles, reports, blog posts, newsletters, digital advertising, and social media copy.
• Ensure all content is accessible, inclusive, clear, accurate, and aligned with brand standards.
• Create primary messaging and key storytelling pieces for the organization.
• Oversee efficient production systems, including publishing workflows, timelines, and quality control processes.
• Edit and approve content before publication.
• Translate complex policy, research, and program-related work into engaging narratives for broad audiences.

Team Management & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of content writing, digital, and social media staff.
• Provide editorial guidance, performance feedback, and professional development support.
• Collaborate with program, advocacy, fundraising, and marketing teams to support content strategy and review processes.
• Ensure relevant internal stakeholders are involved in strategy development and content approval.
• Manage relationships with external contributors, design consultants, vendors, and agencies as needed.
• Ensure content receives appropriate review and approval from program directors, the communications director, and executive leadership when required.

Digital Operations & Marketing

• Oversee the CMS, such as WordPress, as well as content distribution channels.
• Guide the design of user journeys and content experiences across digital channels.
• Supervise and help optimize digital advertising strategy and execution.
• Oversee optimization for AI, SEO, email, and social platforms.
• Use performance insights to improve content strategy, including web traffic, engagement, and conversion data.
• Report key content and digital performance metrics to leadership.
• Adapt to additional duties and responsibilities as the role evolves to support strategic objectives and mission priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of communications experience may be considered equivalent in place of a degree.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience driving editorial, journalism, or digital content strategy.
• 3+ years of experience managing content writing, digital, or social media staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic mindset and strong editorial judgment.
• Experience developing and implementing editorial strategy, organizational messaging, and brand identity guidelines.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to set goals, prioritize tasks efficiently, manage editorial workflows, and implement new initiatives.
• Excellent collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Experience translating complex topics, including policy, research, and social issues, into accessible content.
• Audience development expertise.
• Proficiency with CMS platforms, analytics tools, and digital publishing best practices.
• Experience with multimedia content.
• Familiarity with nonprofit, advocacy, or mission-driven communications is preferred.
• Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to animal protection and legal advocacy work.
• Ability to travel periodically for staff meetings and retreats, estimated at 1–3 trips annually.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care, dental, life, and vision benefits, 100% employer paid.
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account options.
• 192 hours of paid time off.
• 19 paid holidays.
• One-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment.
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
• 401(k) plan with up to a 5% employer contribution match after one year of employment.
• Alternative work schedules may be available at the manager’s discretion.
• One-time remote work allowance of $750.
• Annual professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000.
• Work environment that values a healthy work-life balance.