PR & Digital Marketing Specialist

Native Forward Scholars Fund

1d•$64,292 - $83,033•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Marketing Manager, the Public Relations (PR) & Digital Marketing Specialist serves as a strategic communications and digital marketing professional responsible for strengthening Native Forward Scholars Fund’s visibility, reputation, thought leadership, and engagement with key audiences. The Specialist develops, executes, and evaluates public relations, executive communications, digital marketing, social media, and storytelling strategies in alignment with Native Forward’s Comprehensive Marketing Plan, Strategic Plan, Development Plan, and organizational priorities. The position serves as the primary communications resource supporting the external presence and thought leadership of Native Forward’s CEO and exercises professional judgment in identifying communications opportunities, developing messaging, managing media relations, recommending strategies, and determining effective approaches for diverse audiences and platforms. The Specialist leads assigned communications initiatives across earned, owned, social, and digital channels; develops executive and organizational messaging; cultivates media relationships; creates compelling public-facing content; and conducts research and analysis to inform communications strategies and recommendations. Working collaboratively with the Marketing Manager, Creative Marketing Specialist, organizational leadership, internal departments, external agencies, and partners, the Specialist ensures communications are strategic, accurate, timely, and consistent with Native Forward’s voice and brand while advancing fundraising, scholarship programs, partnerships, organizational visibility, and Native Forward’s position as a leading voice in Native higher education.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, marketing or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Familiarity with Raiser's Edge database is a plus.
Valid Driver’s License is required.
Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.
Knowledge of American Indian History, culture, and tribes.
Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment
Knowledge of public relations best practices, brand management and media strategies.
Excellent knowledge of web and related technologies, including relevant analytic tools.
Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational reports.
Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
Ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to multitask, organize and prioritize while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality under deadline pressure.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet prescribed deadlines.
Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
Experience using various social media platforms and web integration tools, familiarity with LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WordPress.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
Ability to manage several priorities simultaneously.
Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
Ability to demonstrate excellence in everything and continually seek improvement in results.
Skills in operating business computers and office machines, including Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
Skills in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Raiser's Edge database is a plus.
Expertise with a generally recognized design/publishing software (In Design, Adobe Publisher).

Responsibilities

Develop, execute, and evaluate integrated public relations, digital marketing, communications, and content strategies that support Native Forward’s Comprehensive Marketing Plan, Strategic Plan, Development Plan, fundraising initiatives, scholarship programs, events, campaigns, partnerships, and organizational priorities.
Serve as the primary marketing resource for the CEO’s external communications, public presence, and thought leadership, developing strategies to strengthen executive visibility and engagement across media, social media, speaking engagements, events, partnerships, and other public-facing opportunities.
Develop and execute proactive media and public relations strategies, including cultivating relationships with journalists and media outlets; identifying earned media opportunities; developing targeted pitches; writing and distributing press releases, media advisories, statements, and press materials; coordinating interviews, press events, and photo opportunities; and managing incoming media inquiries.
Lead the development of organizational messaging and written content across external communications, including messaging frameworks, campaign narratives, impact statements, talking points, website content, digital advertising copy, social media content, annual report narratives, executive communications, event messaging, donor-facing content, and other organizational publications.
Develop and manage social media content strategy and editorial planning in alignment with organizational priorities, campaigns, events, fundraising initiatives, scholarship cycles, and CEO communications.
Monitor news, media coverage, industry developments, organizational mentions, and emerging issues to identify communications opportunities, reputational considerations, and potential risks.
Conduct communications, media, market, audience, competitor, and industry research and analyze public relations, social media, digital communications, and campaign performance to evaluate effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
Identify and develop compelling scholar, alumni, donor, partner, program, and organizational stories for use across public relations, social media, fundraising, digital communications, media outreach, and organizational publications.
Collaborate with the Marketing Manager, Creative Marketing Specialist, organizational leadership, internal departments, external agencies, contractors, and partners to plan and execute integrated communications across public relations, social media, website, digital marketing, email, events, and other channels.
Manage multiple concurrent communications projects and priorities, establish timelines, coordinate stakeholders, anticipate communications needs, resolve routine project challenges, and ensure assigned deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.
Maintain current professional knowledge of public relations, digital marketing, social media, executive communications, media relations, nonprofit communications, emerging technologies and platforms, and industry best practices.
Assignments and duties are performed consistently with the measurable goals, strategies, tactics, and resources defined by the CEO and Marketing Manager to facilitate evaluation and impact.
Maintains strict student confidentiality and compliance with the Family Education Right to Privacy Act.
Embodies Native Forward Core Values and promotes the Native Forward organization, staff, and programs, in a positive and professional manner.
Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results.
Perform other duties as required.