Manager, Marketing Strategy

Best Friends Animal Society•Bentonville, AR

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Marketing Manager is responsible for engaging Northwest Arkansas (NWA) communities with compelling, data-informed campaigns that support adoption, fostering, volunteering, and donations—while supporting marketing partnerships with local shelters. The role leans into modern systems, data, and emerging tools to continuously improve how marketing work is planned, executed, and measured, while remaining grounded in sound judgment, collaboration, and alignment with Best Friends’ mission. As a highly visible and collaborative role, the Marketing Manager works closely with Programs, PR, Multicultural Marketing, Creative, and Development teams to ensure efforts are informed by local insight, aligned with Best Friends’ mission, and tailored to the diverse communities we serve. This position also manages and mentors a direct report, supporting their professional growth while ensuring smooth coordination of local marketing efforts. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and proactive doer—equally comfortable building campaign plans and rolling up their sleeves to support execution. Culture Statement and Responsibility: We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Requirements

3–6 years of experience in marketing, communications, or community engagement, ideally in nonprofit or cause‑based environments.
Proven ability to lead campaigns from concept to execution with measurable results, using data and analytics to evaluate performance and inform continuous improvement, with experience using data and emerging tools to identify trends, improve measurement, and support stronger marketing decisions.
Experience managing and growing social platforms (especially Instagram and Facebook), with a strong understanding of content strategy, analytics, and audience development.
Experience developing and managing targeted digital advertising strategies (e.g., social media ads, display ads) to expand reach, attract new audiences, and re-engage existing supporters; ability to align paid media with broader marketing campaigns to drive measurable results.
Proven ability to lead complex projects across multiple teams, balancing competing priorities and timelines in a fast-paced environment
Skilled at building strong cross-functional relationships, influencing without authority, and driving alignment to deliver high-impact results.
Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and inspire team members.
Skilled at fostering a collaborative and positive team culture.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Able to tailor messaging for diverse audiences.
Familiarity with multicultural marketing
Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance.

Nice To Haves

Spanish bilingual skills are a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead Localized Marketing Strategy: Drive integrated, community-centered marketing campaigns for the NWA Pet Resource Center, collaborating with cross-functional teams and serving as the primary local marketing contact, intentionally leveraging AI and automation to improve planning, coordination, and execution efficiency.
Manage Local Content and Social Media: Oversee content calendars, promotions, and social media efforts that align with Best Friends’ brand voice, strategic goals, and broader campaigns. Provides oversight, accountability, and strategic integration and can step in to manage social if needed.
Leverage Data to Inform Performance: Monitor, analyze, and report on marketing metrics—including social media and campaign performance.
Build and Champion Marketing Systems: Improve how marketing operates by identifying and advancing systems, automations, and workflows that reduce manual effort, increase visibility into performance, and support stronger decision‑making across campaigns and channels.
Strengthen Media and Influencer Partnerships: Work alongside the Senior Specialist, who leads primary relationships with local press, influencers, and community partners. Provide strategic guidance, remove barriers, and help expand reach and impact through coordinated efforts with PR and editorial teams.
Support Local Events and Community Engagement: Partner closely with Community Programs teams to support and promote local events, ensure marketing materials are accurate and effective, and use performance insights to inform future event and partnership prioritization.
Mentor and Manage Direct Reports and Volunteers: Provide guidance, feedback, and professional development to ensure effective and aligned local marketing execution. Support growth, and model thoughtful adoption of evolving tools and ways of working.
Champion Inclusive and Culturally Relevant Marketing: Support the development of inclusive campaigns that reflect NWA’s diversity and deepen community connections to the organization’s mission.
Assist with website and landing page updates, social storytelling, and creation of localized collateral.
Serve as a marketing liaison for community and shelter partners to ensure alignment between programs, marketing, and engagement as needed.
Stay informed on local, national and industry marketing trends and best practices, bringing innovative ideas to strengthen local campaigns and align them with evolving supporter behaviors.
Identify new marketing opportunities to increase visibility and engagement in NWA.
Actively participate in planning meetings, team check-ins, and cross-functional initiatives.
Curious, self-directed learner who actively follows the evolving AI/marketing landscape and can quickly evaluate and have a pilot POV to consider and scale new tools.
Comfortable operating at the intersection of creativity and data — able to use AI to accelerate ideation and optimization while maintaining sharp judgment about brand, audience, and message quality.
Ability to integrate AI-powered tools (e.g., generative content, audience planning, campaign automation) into marketing workflows — with a track record of measurable results and/or experimentation.
Maintain a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, and occasional travel.
Model Best Friends’ values in all interactions and contribute positively to team culture.
Treat others with kindness, compassion, and respect; embrace honest feedback and continuous improvement.
Work collaboratively and transparently, fostering accountability, trust, and a shared commitment to lifesaving.