Responsibilities

• Engage with the CEO and team to achieve organizational goals, build long-term relationships with constituents, and strengthen brand authority.
• 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. Exercise professional judgment in identifying communications opportunities, recommending approaches, developing messaging, and independently managing assigned initiatives within established organizational strategies and brand standards.
• 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 executive communications materials including speeches, talking points, briefing materials, interview preparation, social media content, quotes, statements, presentations, and event messaging.
• 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.
• Translate complex programmatic, scholarship, fundraising, financial, and impact information into clear and compelling communications appropriate for diverse audiences.
• 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.
• Support crisis and issues communications by researching and verifying information, developing messaging and response recommendations, and coordinating approved communications across appropriate channels.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, marketing or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 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.

Preferred

• Familiarity with Raiser's Edge database is a plus