PR & Digital Marketing Specialist

Position Summary:

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.

• Within the guidelines and priorities defined in the Comprehensive Marketing Plan (that aligns with Native Forward's Strategic Pan and Development Plan), 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…