Communications Manager

Background

Spruce Root, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) creating a sustainable future for Southeast Alaska’s people, communities and environment. We are shifting the paradigms of power to support localized economies grounded in Indigenous values and ways of living. Spruce Root is a team of ambitious people dedicated to a new way of working in our region; working collaboratively with others, prioritizing family and well-being, and honoring our ancestors while building for the future. As a federally-certified Native CDFI, Spruce Root works to create positive change and equitable access to economic development through financial products and services to individuals in Southeast Alaska. Other programs include Path to Prosperity, Resilience Circles, workforce development, financial wellness, community planning and facilitation, and the administration of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) and the Seacoast Trust.

Summary

The Communications Manager will provide strategic direction and leadership for all communication and marketing activities, ensuring consistent messaging and effective engagement with key stakeholders across various channels. The Communications Manager will play a critical role in articulating Spruce Root’s narrative, highlighting its evolution, and increasing visibility and understanding of its mission, services, and impact. This position will also be responsible for building out communication processes, potentially expanding the communications team, and driving digital strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Spruce Root’s overall communications strategy and program-related campaigns
• Manage Spruce Root’s online presence including social media platforms, newsletter, and websites
• Produce client success stories and other forms of narrative reporting to share with various audiences
• Produce press releases, guest editorials, and letters-to-the-editor
• Produce program- and service-related marketing materials
• Produce Spruce Root’s annual report
• Manage and improve internal communications channels and methods
• Manage emerging and innovative communications projects
• Coordinate alignment of communications staff and sub-contractors across Spruce Root’s communications strategies (across all of Spruce Root programs and fundraising efforts including and SSP, CDFI, P2P, and Seacoast Trust) 
• Represent Spruce Root’s interests as they relate to communications-related projects across the region
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Proficiency in strategic communications planning 
• Exceptional communication skills (written and oral) and ability to speak in public settings, including to news and media outlets
• Acumen for organization and attention to detail
• Knowledge of campaign delivery methods and social media strategies
• Competence in graphic design, and content creation for various communication products including blog posts, social media content, website copy, newsletters, articles and video content
• Competence in WordPress or similar web development platforms
• Ability to work collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, and external partners 
• Ability to lead, plan, organize, control, and administer projects, including the ability to negotiate and manage contracts
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced and dynamic environment

 Required education and experience

• Education in communications, media, marketing or journalism, or a related field, or equivalent experience

• Experience leading highly-collaborative communications projects  
• Experience developing communications strategies for nonprofit or mission-driven work

Additional requirements

• Valid driver’s license
• Satisfactory completion of a background check
• Satisfactory completion of a reference check

Working conditions:

• Standard 35-hour work week with occasional evening and weekend assignments
• The physical and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
  • Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk, use hands to finger, handle objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; bending or crouching; talk or hear. The employee must be able to lift/carry and/or move up to 30 pounds safely. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions and other elements prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal. This job requires regular travel in commercial planes, AMHS ferries, float planes, and twin engine planes.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting annual salary: $70,000+
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance as well as 401(k) retirement plan, a wellness program, personal leave, wellness leave, 12 weeks of sabbatical leave after five years of service, and professional development. 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications by April 28, 2025 to be considered in the first round of application reviews. The position will remain open until filled, and there may be additional rounds of application reviews and interviews, as necessary. 

To apply, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “Communications Manager – [YOUR NAME].”  

In the email, please include the following as a single PDF attachment:  

• Your resume 
• 1-page cover letter explaining your interest in the organization and position 
• List of 3 professional references with contact information and relationship to you 
• Short answers to the following questions: 
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years and how will this position support you on that path? 
  • Spruce Root conducts background checks, is there anything you want to share with us about your background? 

In the body of the email, please also copy and paste the content of your short answers and include your name, phone number, and email address. As attention to detail is critical for success in this role, only applicants who follow these specific application guidelines will be considered.  

With the goal of providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, Spruce Root, Inc. bases its employment decisions on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Spruce Root, Inc. does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local law.  Spruce Root, Inc.’s commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in the operations of Spruce Root, Inc., and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Spruce Root, Inc., including supervisors and coworkers. Spruce Root is committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we ensure a fair and inclusive hiring process and welcome all qualified applicants.

For questions regarding the position or employment at Spruce Root, please reach out to Aldyn Brudie, Administrative & Human Resources Director, at [email protected].