Communications Manager

Status: Full-time

Position Summary:

The Communications Manager is a strategic storyteller and content leader responsible for shaping and delivering compelling, donor-centered narratives that inspire philanthropy and deepen community engagement. Working in close partnership with the Development, Operations, and Programs teams, this role leads the creation and execution of integrated storytelling across digital and print channels, ensuring APA’s impact, mission, and aspirations are clearly and consistently communicated.

This is a highly collaborative, mission-driven role ideal for a creative professional who thrives at the intersection of storytelling, fundraising, and community impact.

Key Responsibilities

Development-Driven Storytelling & Content Strategy

• Lead the development of APA’s storytelling strategy in support of annual, major, and capital fundraising efforts.
• Translate complex programs, outcomes, and community impact into emotionally compelling, donor-centric narratives.
• Collaborate with Development to create segmented donor communications that deepen relationships and demonstrate impact.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of stories featuring adopters, donors, volunteers, veterinary teams, foster families, and community partners.
• Ensure consistent voice, tone, and messaging across all development communications.

Digital & Print Content Creation

• Produce high-quality content across platforms, including:
• Campaign landing pages and donation appeals
• Email fundraising and engagement campaigns, including multiple give days
• Annual reports, impact reports, and donor stewardship pieces
• Case statements, project briefs, and board-facing materials
• Social media storytelling in partnership with marketing staff
• Partner with designers, photographers, and videographers to bring stories to life visually.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and distribute press releases, as needed

Brand & Message Stewardship

• Serve as a steward of APA’s brand, ensuring consistency and quality across all donor-facing communications.
• Support message alignment across campuses, programs, and community initiatives.
• Contribute to the evolution of APA’s voice as the organization grows and expands its regional and national presence.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Development, Programs, Operations, Community Services, and Executive Leadership to surface stories, data, and impact.
• Support campaign planning and integrated communications for events, appeals, and key announcements.
• Build systems for story collection, approvals, asset management, and content calendars.

Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Track performance of development communications (email, campaigns, donor response, engagement metrics).
• Use data and audience insights to refine storytelling strategies over time.
• Stay current on nonprofit storytelling, donor engagement, and digital communication trends.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4–7 years of professional experience in communications, storytelling, or content strategy—preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success creating donor-focused communications that support fundraising growth.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to adapt tone for multiple audiences.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Deep commitment to APA’s mission, values, and community impact.

Preferred

• Experience supporting major gifts, capital campaigns, or comprehensive fundraising programs.
• Comfort working with CRM platforms, email marketing systems, and analytics tools.
• Experience collaborating with designers and creative vendors.
• Knowledge of animal welfare, human services, or community-based nonprofits.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Storytelling
• Donor-Centered Communications
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Creative Problem-Solving
• Brand Stewardship
• Detail Orientation & Follow-Through

Why Join APA

This is a unique opportunity to shape how one of the region’s most trusted and beloved organizations tells its story at a pivotal moment of growth and community investment. You will have a direct hand in helping donors see themselves in APA’s mission and in mobilizing the philanthropic support that makes lifesaving work possible for thousands of pets and people each year.

The Animal Protective Association of Missouri (APA) is an innovative and progressive leader in animal welfare, dedicated to bringing people and pets together, advancing humane education, and creating programs beneficial to the human-animal bond. With a 102-year history in the St. Louis region, the APA helps over 6,000 pets find safe loving homes each year. Thousands more are helped through wellness, outreach, and supportive programs that keep pets healthy and with the people who love them.

The APA is committed to being a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees and volunteers feel valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunities for employment, growth, and advancement in all areas of the organization.

The culture of the APA is built on trust, compassion, accountability, joy, support, and respect. We continually invest in the personal and professional growth of our team members and value innovation and new ideas that make it possible for us to meet the needs of the community we serve.

We’re committed to creating an inclusive and comfortable experience for everyone. If you need any accommodations or accessibility support during the hiring process, please email hr@apamo.org.