Shareholder & Descendant Programs Communications Specialist

Cook Inlet Region, Inc is seeking a talented Shareholder & Descendant Programs Communications Specialist to join our Shareholder and Descendants Program team. This position is based in Anchorage, AK.

CIRI's offices are conveniently located in mid-town Anchorage at the Fireweed Business Center, a modern building that represents CIRI’s cultural diversity, respect for the land, and sustainability. The Fireweed Business Center reflects our heritage in the displayed Alaska Native art and interior design.

Cook Inlet Region, Inc., also known as CIRI, is one of 12 land-based Alaska Native regional corporations created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). CIRI’s regional boundaries roughly follow the traditional Dena’ina territory of Southcentral Alaska. CIRI was incorporated on June 8, 1972, and is owned today by a diverse group of more than 9,500 Shareholders who live in Alaska and throughout the world.

CIRI offers excellent benefits for eligible employees. Benefits include paid holidays, paid time off, 401K with employer match, dental, vision, health insurance plans through the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program, as well as life and disability benefits.  

CIRI only accepts applications through our online career page at https://www.ciri.com/careers/jobs/

General Function

In alignment with CIRI’s mission and values, works with Shareholder and Descendant Programs and Corporate Communications to continuously improve, innovate, and implement CIRI’s Shareholder and Descendant programs. Develops content that inform, engage, and inspire Shareholders and Descendants.

Major Activities (Typical Duties/Responsibilities)

1. Support CIRI’s Shareholder and Descendant Programs, including development and improvement of programs; ensuring they are innovative, competitive, creative and relevant to CIRI’s Shareholders and Descendants’ lives at all stages.
2. Build relationships to grow CIRI’s network and explore opportunities to collaborate and develop professional and culturally relevant content to be used in CIRI’s programs and communications.
3. Coordinate with Programs staff, event planners, and community liaisons to ensure appropriate access, representation, and comprehensive coverage of CIRI and external events.
4. Serve as a key communications liaison supporting the Programs team by attending Shareholder events, cultural gatherings, and community activities aligned with CIRI’s ANCSA mission, capturing on-site content and stories.
5. Partner closely with the Corporate Communications team to develop culturally respectful, relevant, and engaging content that highlights program participation and impact, including short- and long-form storytelling, social media features, interviews, and testimonials.
6. Showcase and promote Shareholder and Descendant programs across all life stages, with a focus on elevating participant experiences and outcomes.
7. Amplify Shareholder and Descendant voices through authentic, culturally sensitive storytelling.
8. Partner with internal stakeholders—including Corporate Communications, Shareholder Relations, and Government Affairs—to identify and elevate meaningful stories that demonstrate program impact.
9. Capture and produce real-time and post-event content (e.g., photography, video, written recaps) to support CIRI’s social media, digital platforms, and broader communications efforts.
10. Work with the Creative Traffic Manager and Corporate Communications Manager to ensure timely delivery of content aligned with project plans, priorities, and organizational goals.
11. Ensure all content reflects CIRI’s values, voice, and commitment to Alaska Native heritage, identity, and cultural integrity.
12. Travel may be required for the implementation of programs.
13. Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Understand CIRI’s mission, values and strategic focus areas and incorporate knowledge into daily activities.
• Proficient in advanced writing, editing and conducting interviews to produce compelling, high-quality content.
• Basic project management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively and cooperatively with all levels of management and staff, affiliated-company employees as well as outside business associates; exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; including thorough knowledge of proper grammar, advanced vocabulary, spelling, editing and proofreading skills.
• Superior organizational, follow-up, and detail-oriented skills.
• Work independently, as well as on a team and with minimal supervision.
• Make decisions, solve problems and exercise excellent judgment.
• Work well under pressure and independently prioritize workload, while working on multiple projects.
• Ability to research, organize and analyze technical information with particular attention to accuracy and detail.
• Proficient using Microsoft Office products, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and industry-standard computer software and databases.
• Knowledge of Alaska Native cultures and communities.
• High degree of sensitivity regarding confidential information.
• Ability to travel by vehicle and commercial or small aircraft.

Physical Abilities

• Sufficient fine motor skills for use of computers, calculators with an ability to withstand repetitive keyboarding for extended periods of time
• Visual and communication ability sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job
• Ability to kneel, bend and twist at the waist on an occasional basis
• Ability to reach below shoulder height with regular frequency (desk position) and at or above shoulder height on occasion
• Ability to push, pull, carry, and lift objects weighing up to 20 pounds on a regular basis, and greater weights on an occasional basis

Minimum Qualifications

• High school education or GED; Associate’s degree in business, communications or related field preferred.
• Previous experience assisting with planning, coordinating and implementing community programs and projects. 
  
• Previous experience in content creation, journalism, digital storytelling or social media strategy.
• Experience working with Alaska Native cultures and communities; Shareholder and community engagement experience preferred.
• Ability to travel to attend events, including weekends or evenings.
• Ability to pass a background screening.

CIRI does not discriminate, and the company provides equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, age, marital status, pregnancy or parenthood, handicap or disability, genetics, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic. CIRI adheres to all federal, state and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and will not discriminate against you in violation of these laws. CIRI reserves the right to apply CIRI Shareholder preference to qualified Shareholders in employment and advancement opportunities.