Marketing and Communications Manager

Shelter House • Chantilly, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Marketing and Communications Manager leads the planning and execution of Shelter House’s internal and external communications, marketing, brand, digital presence, media relations, and storytelling. Reporting to the Director of Development, this highly collaborative and hands-on role translates Shelter House’s mission and impact into clear, compelling communications that build awareness, deepens engagement, and supports fundraising and community partnerships. The Manager works closely with Development, Programs, Executive Leadership, and other departments to maintain a consistent organizational voice and brand across audiences and channels. The role oversees digital and social media, website content, email marketing, media outreach, fundraising and event communications, the Annual Impact Report, newsletters, campaigns, and organizational storytelling. The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and a strong executor who is comfortable attending programs and events, identifying stories, interviewing participants and partners when appropriate, and creating timely, mission-centered content.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Three or more years of progressive professional experience in marketing, communications, public relations, nonprofit communications, or a related field.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, verbal communication, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences and channels.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated marketing and communications campaigns from strategy through implementation and measurement.
• Strong hands-on experience managing social media, email marketing, website content, and digital communications.
• Experience developing content in the field, including event coverage, photography/content capture, and interviews or testimonials.
• Strong project-management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders, and deliverables with accuracy and sound judgment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and build strong relationships with staff, leadership, Board members, donors, volunteers, community partners, and media.
• Ability to handle sensitive information and communicate about homelessness, domestic violence, and client experiences with discretion, dignity, and a trauma-informed approach.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common digital communications, design, and content-management tools.
• Ability and willingness to attend occasional evening or weekend events and travel locally to Shelter House programs and community events.
• Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a nonprofit, human services, housing, domestic violence, or mission-driven organization.
• Experience with CRM and fundraising platforms such as Salesforce and GoFundMe, or similar systems.
• Experience with email marketing, website/CMS platforms, design tools such as Canva, and digital analytics.
• Media relations and public relations experience, including pitching stories and responding to media inquiries.
• Event marketing and communications experience.
• Experience managing vendors, contractors, or agency partners.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Director of Development to develop and implement an integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with Shelter House’s mission, strategic priorities, fundraising goals, and organizational growth.
• Own Shelter House’s brand voice and visual identity, ensuring consistent messaging and presentation across print, digital, media, fundraising, program, and internal communications.
• Develop an annual editorial and content calendar and manage communications priorities across multiple departments, campaigns, programs, and events.
• Create compelling, trauma-informed stories that demonstrate Shelter House’s impact, including interviewing staff, partners, volunteers, and program participants when appropriate and with required consent.
• Lead the writing, editing, design coordination, production, and distribution of newsletters, Annual Impact Reports, annual appeals, campaign materials, one-pagers, brochures, presentations, event programs, and other collateral.
• Manage Shelter House’s website and digital content, ensuring information is accurate, current, accessible, engaging, and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Manage social media channels and develop platform-specific content that increases awareness, engagement, community participation, and support.
• Plan, execute, and evaluate integrated digital and email campaigns supporting fundraising, events, advocacy, volunteer engagement, and community awareness.
• Develop and manage media relations, including press releases, media pitches, interview coordination, media inquiries, and relationships with reporters and community media partners.
• Support executive communications, including talking points, speeches, presentations, announcements, and other leadership communications.
• Collaborate with program and community engagement teams to identify timely stories, program updates, community needs, and opportunities to elevate Shelter House’s mission and impact.
• Partner with the Development team on donor communications, fundraising campaigns, event sponsorship materials, stewardship communications, and recognition of corporate and community partners.
• Lead marketing and communications support for Shelter House events, including promotion, digital and print materials, event-day content capture, sponsor recognition, photography coordination, and post-event communications.
• Attend Shelter House programs, community activities, and events as needed to capture stories, photos, testimonials, and other content and to represent the organization.
• Track and analyze website, email, social media, and campaign performance; translate metrics into actionable recommendations to improve results.
• Prepare communications and marketing updates for leadership and Board reporting in collaboration with the Director of Development.
• Maintain organized digital assets, brand resources, photo and content libraries, templates, communications records, and appropriate consent documentation.
• Stay current on nonprofit communications, digital media, AI-enabled tools, and storytelling best practices and recommend opportunities to strengthen Shelter House’s reach and effectiveness.
• Manage external communications vendors, contractors, printers, photographers, designers, or other partners as needed.
• Support internal communications and cross-department initiatives that strengthen staff awareness, alignment, and organizational culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401K contributions with a 4% employer match
• 13 Paid Holidays, 2 Floating Holidays and the opportunity to take your Birthday Off
• Four Annual Team Building Events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level