Marketing Manager

Role: Marketing Manager              

Reports to: Executive Director

Exempt status:  FT – Non-Exempt                        

Position Overview:

The Marketing Manager is a full-time, onsite position and is responsible for envisioning and executing an innovative communications strategy that advances our mission, secures philanthropic support from current donors with an emphasis on increasing new donor acquisition.

This position is also responsible for supervising a team of full-time staff, volunteers and interns and ensuring that their tasks are completed in a timely and efficient manner, while meeting the fundraising objectives.

The Marketing Manager will oversee external messaging for the organization, including press releases, social media, digital marketing, print materials, and fundraising appeals. In addition, this position must lead the use of technology and AI to increase giving and new donors.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing revenue driven messaging across multiple platforms, including PR, social media, email and direct mail. This role involves implementing unique strategies tailored to communications and fundraising goals and objectives, utilizing platform-specific tools and automation, reporting on performance metrics, and staying updated on the latest trends and best practices for new donor acquisition.

The Wildcat Sanctuary’s mission is to provide a natural sanctuary to wild cats in need and inspire change to end the captive wildlife crisis. We are an accredited, non-profit sanctuary nestled between the beautiful lakes, fields and forests in rural Sandstone, Minnesota, conveniently located between Duluth and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Supervise (25%)

• Develop comprehensive fundraising and marketing plans and objectives in conjunction with the Executive Director with targeted goals, quantifiable outcomes, and timelines.
• Prepare budgets and effectively manage financials, staff, and department resources to achieve these goals and objectives.
• Recruit, interview, hire, retain and reward full-time Communication Specialists.
• Recruit, interview, on-board and manage our Media Internship program (typically 2 interns per session).
• Support a successful learning journey for your team with quality direction and training in photography, video editing, writing, social media and measuring success.
• If any position in the department is open, you must be able to fulfil those duties during absences to meet communication and fundraising objectives.

Communication and writing (25%)

• Ensuring persuasive communication across all outlets is consistent with brand standards and organizational messaging. Gain in‑depth knowledge of the organization, sanctuary industry, and be a responsible steward of the information.
• Strong grasp of technology and analytics to reach new donors in the most effective ways, improve performance, and measure the return on our investment.
• Act as the conduit to communicate with our supporters via videos, animal sponsor updates, video scripts, social media posts, etc. using creative and compelling writing to inspire change to end the captive wildlife crisis.
• Confident and well-spoken on and off camera.
• Drive media coverage by drafting and distributing press releases.
• Website support and vendor management.

Photography & Video (~25%)

• Serve as one of the sanctuary’s lead photographers and videographers to create and produce compelling and meaningful content in a timely manner, according to our fundraising plan and individual assignments for digital and print media. This includes writing scripts for videos and may include travel to document rescues.
• Create graphic treatments for marketing channels including photo cropping, watermark overlay, text treatments and simple program logos while adhering to TWS brand guidelines.
• Maintain all of TWS’ equipment and digital assets including equipment and digital assets used/created by the Animal Care team.

Social Media (~20%)

• Manage and optimize campaigns across social media, ensuring alignment with organization objectives and budget constraints.
• Develop and implement innovative strategies to maximize the effectiveness of social media ad campaigns, including audience targeting, creative recommendations, bid management, and landing page recommendations.
• Monitor campaign performance regularly, analyze key metrics, and make data-driven decisions to optimize campaign performance and ROI.
• Oversee and manage daily social media posts, comments, and messages across all platforms in a manner that supports the TWS voice and new donor acquisition.
• Stay abreast of social media and technology changes by following non-profit and technology industry reports.
• In partnership with the Volunteer Coordinator, develop and manage a volunteer social media team to help manage comments and messages.

Other duties as assigned (~5%)

• Donor event support (typically 2-3 events per year)
• Manage Wi Fi and internet vendors
• Maintain department training documentation

Qualifications and Experience

• 5 years of professional experience in a communications setting or related experience with measured success in attracting new supporters and converting them to donors. 
• 5 years of personnel management experience preferred.
• Persuasive and positive communicator with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficient creating content including Reels, documentary-style videos, photographs, and writing.
• Photography and videography skills with strong knowledge of photo and video editing software.
• Must have the ability to work as a partner collaboratively with external and internal parties.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Proficient in MS Office products, Apple and Android products, Adobe Creative Suite, Video Editing Software, Google tools, Drop Box, email, etc., as well as office equipment like copy machines and scanners.
• Familiar with CRMs and how they integrate with marketing initiatives.

Additional Expectations and Culture Fit

• Typical schedule is Monday-Friday with flexibility required for events, fundraising campaigns, volunteers, or other special opportunities (i.e., sunset/sunrise photo shoots)
• Adhere to Sanctuary policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Foster an open and inclusive work environment by modeling TWS behaviors and values, consistent with the vision, mission and strategic anchors of the organization.
• Willingness to do what is needed in the moment to benefit the animals and organization. (Regardless of if it falls under job description.) 
• Must be results-oriented, self-reflective and take responsibility for actions. 
• Friendly and outgoing personality with a willingness to guide, teach and learn from others, including interns and volunteers.
• Understanding this is a non-traditional, full-time position that requires a flexible, non-traditional schedule and commitment.
• Ability and desire to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and embrace flexibility.
• Must be able to handle the physical and emotional aspect of work in a sanctuary and have a high level of resiliency.
• Equipped to work outdoors in all northern Minnesota seasons (frigid winters & humid summers)
• Critical thinker who can offer recommendations and creative solutions.
• Attention to detail as it pertains to animal wellness and safety.
• Reliable transportation to our rural location in all four seasons is required.
• Willingness to accommodate TWS dogs and domestic cats in the workplace.
• Brings a strong drive for results, while maintaining a calm approach to managing change and

working through unexpected or challenging situations.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Compensation: $60,000-65,000 DOQ
• IRA contribution up to 3% match
• Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• At-cost veterinary care in our on-site hospital
• Family & friends tours

How to Apply

Please email your resume, cover letter and portfolio to cat [at] wildcatsanctuary [dot] org

It is expected that employees of TWS will support the mission and values of the Sanctuary. The employer reserves the right to modify, change or add to the duties of this job description at any time. The employee understands and acknowledges that this position is terminable at will at any time by TWS. All donor names and contact information remain the property of The Wildcat Sanctuary and cannot be taken or used. All graphics and proprietary information remain the property of The Wildcat Sanctuary and cannot be used for other purposes.