Development Communications Manager
6 - 10 years
Greater Seattle Area
$108.3k - $162.5k/year
Full-time
Hybrid
1 month ago
About the role
The City of Seattle is seeking a Development & Communications Manager for the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). This role leads fundraising, marketing, and public engagement to support compassionate animal care and responsible pet ownership citywide.
Partnering with the Executive Director, this position drives strategies that grow donor support, strengthen community partnerships, and elevate SAS’s visibility through storytelling, media outreach, and digital engagement. This is an opportunity for a creative, strategic, hands-on communicator to expand SAS’s development and communications impact.
ABOUT US
Finance & Administrative Services (FAS) is often the public’s first point of contact with the City of Seattle, delivering essential customer-facing services and supporting citywide operations across 10 divisions with 500+ employees.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Development & Fundraising
Communications & Media
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications
Desired Skills
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Hybrid schedule with at least three onsite days per week; occasional after‑hours work.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHY SEATTLE
Why work at the City of Seattle?
The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
Who May Apply: The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at Finance and Administrative Services, please send an email to [email protected]. FAS promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us. You can find more information on the application process at Working at the City - Human Resources | seattle.gov
CANDIDATE NOTIFICATION:
Many important notifications including interview or test invitations, result notices, and status updates will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add [email protected] to your email address book and to the list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail. Candidates can also check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing their profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices. It is the applicant's responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence.
Partnering with the Executive Director, this position drives strategies that grow donor support, strengthen community partnerships, and elevate SAS’s visibility through storytelling, media outreach, and digital engagement. This is an opportunity for a creative, strategic, hands-on communicator to expand SAS’s development and communications impact.
ABOUT US
Finance & Administrative Services (FAS) is often the public’s first point of contact with the City of Seattle, delivering essential customer-facing services and supporting citywide operations across 10 divisions with 500+ employees.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Development & Fundraising
- Develop and implement annual and long‑term fundraising strategies.
- Cultivate and steward donors, sponsors, and community partners.
- Oversee donor recognition, acknowledgments, and impact reporting.
- Maintain accurate fundraising data in CRM systems.
- Lead campaigns, appeals, and donor events, including the Furry 5K and appreciation events.
- Partner with the Seattle Animal Foundation and volunteers on sponsorships and community investment.
- Lead grant research, writing, and reporting.
- Support planned giving and legacy programs.
Communications & Media
- Serve as SAS’s primary media contact.
- Produce press materials in coordination with City Communications.
- Build relationships with journalists and community media partners.
- Ensure consistent brand voice and visual identity.
- Create storytelling content highlighting SAS programs, animals, and community impact.
- Prepare communication materials for leadership and public events.
- Manage and grow SAS’s social media presence with support from FAS Communications.
- Develop content calendars, graphics, and short‑form videos.
- Monitor analytics and adjust strategy for engagement.
- Support website and newsletter updates.
- Create donor and volunteer email campaigns.
- Ensure accessibility and ADA compliance in digital content.
- Coordinate communications and logistics for events and community outreach.
- Represent SAS at community, adoption, and donor events.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, Marketing, or related field, OR equivalent experience.
- Three years of experience in fundraising, communications, or development, including donor cultivation, campaign management, social media, and media relations.
Desired Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication and storytelling.
- Experience with CRM platforms (Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, etc.).
- Skill with social media and analytics tools.
- Strong organization and project management.
- Passion for animal welfare and public service.
- Experience handling animals.
- Creative, collaborative, and strategic approach.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Hybrid schedule with at least three onsite days per week; occasional after‑hours work.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Classified as Strategic Advisor 1, Customer Service, Public Information & Promotion.
- Salary range: $51.88 – $77.82 per hour (FLSA exempt).
- Pay dependent on qualifications.
- Application requires NEOGOV application, cover letter, and resume.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Background check required per Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance.
WHY SEATTLE
Why work at the City of Seattle?
The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
Who May Apply: The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at Finance and Administrative Services, please send an email to [email protected]. FAS promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us. You can find more information on the application process at Working at the City - Human Resources | seattle.gov
CANDIDATE NOTIFICATION:
Many important notifications including interview or test invitations, result notices, and status updates will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add [email protected] to your email address book and to the list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail. Candidates can also check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing their profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices. It is the applicant's responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence.
Skills
Non-profit Organizations