Job Description
Community Engagement Manager at the PAWS Chicago Rescue Ranch
The Community Engagement Manager is one of the first positions PAWS Chicago is hiring for its flagship Rescue Ranch location, currently beginning construction with an expected opening in summer/fall 2027. We are searching for a flexible, entrepreneurial, dynamic manager who can help develop and cultivate a robust PAWS community in the northwest suburbs, building upon PAWS’ subject-matter and community engagement expertise in the city of Chicago.
The Community Engagement Manager is responsible for managing the Rescue Ranch’s community-focused engagement efforts in support of the PAWS Chicago mission. This role manages initiatives that strengthen community connection, cultivate new relationships, increase supporter engagement and retention, support volunteer and foster experiences, and elevate awareness of lifesaving programs and services, focused in the surrounding areas of the Hawthorn Woods Rescue Ranch.
This position requires a hands-on manager who can bridge development, event management, volunteer and foster program development and engagement, and community outreach. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative, mission-driven, and comfortable supporting and executing leadership’s strategy and being the on-site manager to support events, fosters, volunteers, and donor-facing initiatives. They are equally comfortable building new relationships as they are strengthening existing ones.
The ideal candidate is a relationship-builder with a proven ability to cultivate partnerships, engage stakeholders, and support the development and execution of impactful programs.
Key Responsibilities
Community Engagement & Outreach
Execute community engagement strategies that deepen awareness of the organization’s mission, programs, and impact in the communities surrounding Hawthorn Woods.
Support outreach initiatives that strengthen relationships with adopters, fosters, volunteers, donors, and local community partners.
Serve as a visible on-site presence at the Rescue Ranch, adoption events, supporter and community programs, and donor or volunteer activations.
Identify opportunities to expand community participation in lifesaving initiatives including fostering, adoption, volunteerism, and advocacy, bringing in new supporters, volunteers, fosters and animal advocates.
Build partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and civic groups to increase mission visibility and support.
Events & On-Site Activation
Support planning and execution of adoption events, donor events, volunteer recognition activities, foster cultivation, and community education initiatives.
Act as a liaison between marketing, development, operations, and program teams to ensure cohesive execution of events and campaigns.
Help create meaningful on-site experiences that strengthen emotional connection to the mission.
Represent the organization at public-facing events, speaking opportunities, and community partnerships.
Supporter Stewardship & Engagement
Partner closely with the PAWS Chicago Development Team to create donor engagement strategies that strengthen retention, stewardship, and long-term giving.
Support donor communications including impact storytelling, thank-you campaigns, cultivation events, and stewardship touch-points.
Support donor-centered messaging that connects contributions to measurable animal welfare outcomes.
Help manage donor appreciation experiences, recognition opportunities, and mission-based engagement events.
Collaborate on campaigns that convert community supporters into sustained donors and advocates.
Support and lead donor tours at the Rescue Ranch.
Cultivate and manage a donor portfolio, as assigned.
Volunteer & Foster Experience
Partner with PAWS existing volunteer and foster teams to develop communication, recognition, and engagement strategies in the Hawthorn Woods community.
Support volunteer and foster recruitment campaigns through digital and community-based outreach.
Maintain an active on-site presence to support volunteer experiences, gather feedback, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Help create recognition programs that celebrate the impact of volunteers, fosters, and community advocates.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Collaborate with Communications, Development, Programs Operations, and Leadership to align communications and engagement priorities.
Help translate mission goals into measurable engagement opportunities across donors, community members, and supporters.
Manage budgets related to campaigns, events, donor stewardship, and community initiatives.
Identify process improvements that strengthen communication flow between teams and improve supporter experience.
Skills & Qualifications
7+ years of experience in nonprofit marketing, community engagement, fundraising communications, donor stewardship, or mission-driven brand management OR a field where you had responsibility for relationship management or community development, such as investment advisory services, chamber of commerce or associations management, etc.
Experience supporting events, outreach initiatives, and relationship-building.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work cross-functionally with development, program, and operations teams.
Comfortable working hands-on in shelter, event, and community settings.
Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize multiple initiatives.
Passion for animal welfare, community impact, and mission-driven engagement.
Flexibility to work evenings or weekends for events, donor activations, and volunteer/foster events. This position’s work week will be Sunday through Thursday or Tuesday through Saturday.
Should be strong users of technology, able to send out email activation campaigns and support all event logistics.
Exceptional attention to detail is critical.
Ability to be flexible with matrix reporting structures.
Ability to be flexible with work location (i.e. starting in Chicago during Rescue Ranch construction, then migrating to Hawthorn Woods).
Physical Requirements
Climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, lifting and grasping.
Walking and moving about to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
Able to lift 25 lbs occasionally, 10 lbs frequently and a negligible amount constantly.
Repetitive motion.
PAWS Chicago Values-in-Action
Respect: for each and every life.
Community: of people and organizations committed to helping homeless pets.
Innovation: to constantly improve best practices and seek out new ideas and strategies to save more lives. To be a Learning Center that evolves and grows.
Pro-activity: to solve difficult problems and to be prepared to offer emergency and crisis support.
Transparency: that informs the public about the fate of homeless animals.
Education: that raises awareness about the realities that homeless animals face in the community and across the nations, providing a forum for people to get involved in effecting change. Promotes and support reasonable pet ownership.
Sustainability: through financial management practices that maximize the impact and reach of our resources and endure that PAWS Chicago will always be a resource for homeless animals.
Compassion: towards all people and animals.
Benefits:
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, including ancillary options and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Blue Cross Blue Shield
403(b) retirement plan with employer match
Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and holidays