Christopher Cutter, communications manager with International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), used to work on the corporate side. He started out as a journalist covering high-tech topics, then switched to public relations promoting technology companies and gadgets. Work was good, but the hours were long. He was spending too much time away from his family, and something was missing. Switching to the nonprofit world proved to be the right move for Cutter. Since joining IFAW five years ago, he has traveled to places near and far in the quest to end Canadian seal hunting, stop the elephant ivory trade, and save whales from extinction.

IFAW works to improve animal welfare, prevent animal cruelty and abuse, protect wildlife, and provide animal rescue around the world. IFAW's headquarters are in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and it has an office in Washington, D.C. Cutter is based in Cape Cod. “Working on the nonprofit side has really changed my lifestyle,” he says. “I used to commute to Boston. Now, my family and I live on Cape Cod and my commute is fifteen minutes. It's beautiful out here, and I get to spend more time with my family. Sometimes, I work a fifty-hour week, but the work is so fulfilling. My salary is not as high as when I was on the corporate side, but all around I have a better quality of life; there is less stress in my life, and I go to bed with a clean conscience.”

As communications manager, Cutter interviews people all over the world who work for IFAW. He writes reports, press releases, brochures, and other marketing materials with the goal of promoting IFAW's mission. Having a journalism background is a plus. “A large part of my job is writing stories,” he says. “It's a lot like writing for a newspaper or magazine.”

The topics can be tough and not for the faint of heart. He witnessed animal rescues in Tabasco, Mexico, and New Orleans, Louisiana, after the hurricanes, oil-spill cleanups in Russia, and seal hunting in Canada. “Everyone responds differently,” he says. “I go in and know that I am getting a story that has to be told. So, I can put some of the emotions aside. Some people cry. Others get angry. It can take an emotional toll on some.”

By approaching his job like a journalist, Cutter makes sure that the local media gets all the video footage that is needed for the evening news. He works to get the facts and all of the details to the media. Keeping abreast of each reporter at all of the major media outlets as well as media in several local bureaus and news outlets can be a full-time job in itself. Journalists come and go, and knowing who to pitch a story to is essential to the job.

The work entails some travel, and a lot of writing, marketing, and communications. Cutter also attends a lot of meetings with people from around the globe. “Being part of an international organization lets me meet with people from all over the world,” he says. “At our meetings, we hear from people who are working on behalf of animal rights in Africa, Canada, Europe, Asia, and other countries. You have to be able to listen, and be open to other people's points of view. I tend to get inspired by my colleagues.”

Being open to other ideas from different cultures is essential if you are working for an international organization. Having a background in journalism, marketing, and public relations often is required. Cutter took a slightly different route. He got his bachelor's degree in English literature and his master's in creative writing. Being able to write and speak well are essential in both public relations and marketing. Many communications departments are eager to hire journalists who want to switch to public relations/marketing. It's not a big leap. Both disciplines require excellent writing, reporting, and interviewing skills.

A communications department can have many tiers. It all depends on the size of the nonprofit. Smaller companies have fewer staff, and some workers can take on many roles. In larger nonprofits, there can be a communications director, manager, and assistant. Some personnel may handle public relations — writing press releases and brochures and pitching stories to the media. If the agency is large, there will be separate marketing and membership departments. The role of the marketing staff is to shape and advertise the company and its goals. Marketing, public relations, membership, and even development all overlap and work together to promote the agency and its message to the public and the press.

Starting salaries vary, and can range from $30,000 to $40,000, depending on the size of the nonprofit. After a few years on the job, communications managers can earn between $50,000 and $65,000.