Marketing and Communications Manager

About Shelter House

Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County. Since the organization’s inception, we have adapted and grown to meet community needs, all while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members. Today, Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization of over 200 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence. In the last year, our compassionate team of individuals changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of which were children. Our Culture is built from our Core Values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.)

About the Role

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.

Key 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.

Required

• 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.

Preferred

• 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.

Physical Requirements

• Annual TB Test is required
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods
• Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds

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

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: Shelter House is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. All employment-related decisions will be made and carried out without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age (over 40), sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability unrelated to the individual's ability to perform his or her job or any other legally protected status. Shelter House will also provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant and qualified employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job, and to employees with respect to their observance of their religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. Any job applicant or employee who would like or needs an accommodation may request an accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department.

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy

Drug-Free Workplace: Shelter House is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon compliance with our Drug-Free Workplace Policy, which prohibits the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances or marijuana in the workplace. Additionally, all subcontracts and purchase orders over $10,000 must include provisions ensuring a drug-free workplace.