About Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA

Since 1973, the RHSPCA has been providing compassionate animal care to help pets and people live happier, healthier lives. We offer a full range of services, including adoption options for companion pets and barn cats so that local animals can live better lives in the spaces that suit them best. We also work with a vast network of volunteers who help us care for animals in our shelter and individuals willing to foster pets in their homes. In addition to our pet matchmaking services, we partner with community members to help manage the outdoor cat population through our Community Cat Program. Across all of these services is our commitment to providing the resources and tools our community needs to improve animal welfare.

JOB TITLE:                        Creative Marketing Contractor (Six-Month Contract)

DEPARTMENT:              Development

ACCOUNTABILITY:       Director of Development

SALARY:                           $3,500 per month

CONTRACT TERM: Immediate Start - December 31, 2026 with potential for 

permanent, full-time employment following the contract.

Objective

The Creative Marketing Contractor serves as RHSPCA's visual storyteller and creative partner, helping advance the organization's mission through strategic marketing, compelling communications, and thoughtful brand stewardship. Working closely with the Director of Development, Executive Director, and staff across the organization, this role creates marketing campaigns and creative assets that inspire community engagement, strengthen fundraising efforts, increase adoptions, recruit volunteers and fosters, and elevate awareness of RHSPCA's impact.

Why Join RHSPCA?

Your work will do more than generate clicks, it will help animals find homes, inspire generosity, strengthen community relationships, and expand the impact of one of the Shenandoah Valley's largest municipal shelters.

We're a forward-thinking, optimistic team that values creativity, collaboration, and initiative. If you enjoy working with talented people, thrive under deadlines, and want your work to make a tangible difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Contractor Perks

• Opportunity for full-time employment after the contract period.
• A collaborative, mission-driven team that celebrates creativity and innovation.
• Meaningful work with visible impact on animals and the people who care for them.
• The chance to help shape the future of one of the Valley's most meaningful nonprofit organizations.
• All employees with the RHSPCA can take advantage of the Hill’s Pro Staff Feeding program, which offers significant discounts on their products.
• Discount offerings to multiple businesses throughout the valley
• Staff and volunteer appreciation events
• $0 adoption fee on your first pet adopted through the RHSPCA
• Opportunity for hybrid remote

Additional perks offered if brought on full-time

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• PTO with increases every other year as well as time off for bereavement and your birthday
• Employer sponsored life insurance
• Supplemental insurance offerings (Short-Term Disability, Critical Care, Accident, Cancer, and Hospital Indemnity)

Immediate Projects

The successful candidate will jump into several exciting initiatives, including:

• Consistently creating and publishing engaging social media content.
• Work closely with the Director of Development creating  original fundraising campaigns for our August Match Challenge and year-end giving efforts.
• Designing the creative direction for the Lucky 13 long-stay dog campaign.
• Supporting the launch and promotion of our new Veterinary Care Center through banners, direct mail, social media, and campaign materials.
• Creating adoption event marketing materials.
• Producing graphics that increase volunteer recruitment and foster engagement.
• Developing fresh, original creative assets that strengthen and modernize the RHSPCA brand.

General Responsibilities

• All employees who work in the Development Department cover for each other during vacation or if someone is out sick.  
• May be expected to temporarily take on tasks outside the normal scope of the job. 
• The duties of the Development Associate primarily involve institutional advancement, however, any employee may be asked and expected to do other things on occasion.  
• Perform duties in a manner which promotes a positive culture and encourages attainment of RHSPCA goals.
• Ensure quality care and humane treatment for the animals in the care of the RHSPCA.
• Works courteously and cooperatively with the staff, volunteers, fosters, adopters, partners, and donors to ensure that all RHSPCA policies and procedures are followed, and new ones implemented successfully.
• Ability to multitask, take and follow directions, adapt, and accommodate changing demands and make appropriate prioritization decisions.

Skills 

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, detail-oriented marketing professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and understands how to transform ideas into polished, mission-driven content. Success in this role requires balancing creativity with efficiency, producing high-quality work on deadline, and incorporating feedback quickly and professionally. This individual is collaborative, adaptable, and passionate about using marketing and storytelling to help animals and the people who love them.

• Canva (required)
• Adobe Creative Suite (preferred)
• Photography and photo editing
• Video production and short-form content creation
• Copywriting
• Social media strategy and analytics
• Email marketing design
• Print production and vendor coordination

Portfolio Submission

We'd like to understand how you think creatively, not just what you've designed. Please submit one of the following options with your resume or cover letter or use the website link option:

Option 1: Portfolio

• Five examples of previous work demonstrating a variety of formats, such as:
• Social media campaigns
• Print collateral
• Fundraising appeals
• Digital advertising
• Brand campaigns
• Motion graphics or video
• Event marketing

Option 2: Creative Challenge

Create three original RHSPCA marketing pieces inspired by our current website and brand. Your concepts should:

• Respect our existing brand standards.
• Introduce fresh, original creative thinking.
• Demonstrate how you would elevate our visual identity while remaining authentic to our mission.

We're looking for someone who can build upon our existing foundation, not simply replicate it.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift 35 lbs., stand for long periods of time, move quickly, work with and around animals (including diseased, injured and/or potentially aggressive animals), loud noises, chlorine or other chemicals.

Compensation

This is a temporary, contract position offering a competitive rate based on experience with a monthly rate of $3,500 per month.  

Nature of Employment

The Creative Marketing Contractor is anticipated to work approximately 35 hours per week and may involve weekend and evening work. The RHSPCA makes no guarantee that full-time employment will be offered upon completion of the contract. Such a decision will be determined by the Executive Director and Director of Development and discussed with you prior to the end of the contract.

There is no minimum period of employment guaranteed or implied by acceptance of an offer of employment.  It is the policy of the RHSPCA that employment for this position is at will, which means that employment for no specified term and the employee or agency may terminate that employment at any time without cause.  This job description serves as a guide.