Shareholder & Descendant Programs Specialist

About the role

Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) is seeking a Shareholder & Descendant Programs Specialist to join the Shareholder and Descendant Program team. This position is based in Anchorage, AK.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Cover CIRI and external events by coordinating with Programs staff, event planners, and community liaisons to ensure appropriate access, representation, and comprehensive coverage.
• 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.
• 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.
• Showcase and promote Shareholder and Descendant programs across all life stages, with a focus on elevating participant experiences and outcomes.
• Amplify Shareholder and Descendant voices through authentic, culturally sensitive storytelling.
• Partner with internal stakeholders—including Corporate Communications, Shareholder Relations, and Government Affairs—to identify and elevate meaningful stories that demonstrate program impact.
• 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.
• Work with the Creative Traffic Manager and Corporate Communications Manager to ensure timely delivery of content aligned with project plans, priorities, and organizational goals.
• Ensure all content reflects CIRI’s values, voice, and commitment to Alaska Native heritage, identity, and cultural integrity.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Able 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.

Skills

• 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.

Benefits

• Excellent benefits for eligible employees, including 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.