Head of Content Strategy, Communications

About the Organization

The Animal Legal Defense Fund works to safeguard animals and advance their interests through the legal system. Its work includes filing major lawsuits to prevent harm, offering free legal support and training for prosecutors, backing strong animal protection laws, challenging harmful legislation, collecting data on exploitative industries, and helping students and professionals build the field of animal law.

Role Summary

This full-time, exempt role is a remote U.S.-based position reporting to the Communications Director. The Head of Content Strategy, Communications will set and drive the editorial direction for the organization’s content, ensuring the brand voice stays clear, consistent, mission-aligned, and effective across all channels. The role oversees a team working on writing, digital, and social content, while partnering with program, development, and leadership teams to turn complex issues into content that is understandable, engaging, and persuasive for varied audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape, maintain, and protect the organization’s brand voice and messaging across all content.
• Create and implement a broad editorial plan tied to organizational priorities, campaigns, and audience growth.
• Set standards for tone, messaging, voice, and content goals.
• Spot storytelling opportunities that strengthen thought leadership and demonstrate impact.
• Own the editorial calendar across digital, print, and multimedia formats.
• Build message frameworks for large and complex organizational initiatives.
• Maintain high editorial quality through fact-checking, accuracy, and ethical storytelling.
• Lead the production of articles, reports, blog content, newsletters, digital ads, and social copy with accessibility and inclusion in mind.
• Develop core messaging and major storytelling assets for the organization.
• Improve publishing systems, workflows, deadlines, and quality controls.
• Edit and approve materials to ensure clarity, correctness, and brand consistency.
• Convert policy, research, and program work into compelling narratives.
• Manage, coach, and support a team of content, digital, and social media staff.
• Provide editorial direction, feedback on performance, and growth opportunities for team members.
• Work across functions with program, advocacy, fundraising, and marketing teams during strategy development and content review.
• Coordinate with outside writers, designers, vendors, and agencies when needed.
• Ensure content receives required approvals from program directors, the communications director, and the executive director when applicable.
• Oversee the content management system, distribution channels, and user experience across digital touchpoints.
• Support and improve digital advertising strategy and execution.
• Optimize content for AI, SEO, email, and social media distribution.
• Track content performance, including traffic, engagement, and conversions, and use insights to refine strategy.
• Share key performance updates with leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related discipline is preferred; equivalent experience may be accepted in place of a degree.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in editorial, journalism, or digital content strategy.
• At least 3 years of experience leading a team of writers, digital staff, or social media staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Clear strategic thinking and strong editorial judgment.
• Experience building editorial strategy, organizational messaging, and brand identity guidelines.
• Strong organization and project management abilities, including goal-setting, prioritization, workflow management, and launching new initiatives.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team-based environment.
• Experience turning complex policy, research, or social topics into accessible content.
• Capability in audience development.
• Working knowledge of CMS platforms, analytics tools, and digital publishing practices.
• Experience with multimedia content.
• Background in nonprofit, advocacy, or mission-driven communications is preferred.
• Alignment with the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• Ability to travel occasionally for staff meetings and retreats, estimated at 1 to 3 trips per year.

Compensation and Benefits

The role offers a starting annual salary of $139,209 in most locations. Candidates living within 25 miles of Washington, D.C., Cotati, CA, or Los Angeles, CA will start at $146,536. Candidates located within 25 miles of New York City or San Francisco, CA will start at $153,863. Salary is fixed by location and role, and negotiations outside the published rate are not offered.

• Health, dental, life, and vision coverage fully paid by the employer
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account
• 192 hours of paid time off
• 19 paid holidays
• One-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• 401(k) plan with up to 5% employer match after one year
• Alternative work schedules at manager discretion
• One-time remote work allowance of $750
• Annual professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000
• Support for a healthy work-life balance

Additional Information

This position is based in the United States. All hires must verify identity and eligibility to work in the U.S. and complete the required employment verification form after joining.

The organization is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

In keeping with the organization’s mission, events do not include animal products or byproducts.

Application Details

The application deadline is July 29, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged because the hiring decision may be made before the deadline.