Job Description

Director of Marketing and Communications

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Reports To: President & CEO

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $85,000 - $115,000, DOE

About United Way of Anchorage

At United Way of Anchorage (UWA), we unite people, ideas, and resources to build a community where everyone can thrive. We are Anchorage's trusted convener, catalyst, and innovator—bringing together business, government, nonprofits, and community members to drive systems-level change that addresses our community's toughest challenges in Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Healthy Community.

We are in an exciting period of transformation, returning to our founding purpose: not simply redistributing funds, but leveraging our unique cross-sector position to convene partners, catalyze solutions, and drive measurable impact at scale across Alaska.

Position Summary

The Director of Marketing and Communications is a strategic storyteller and brand steward who leads UWA's voice across all channels and audiences. This role shapes how the community understands our mission, celebrates our impact, and engages with our work as Alaska's premier convening organization.

We are seeking a creative, data-informed communicator who can translate complex system-level work into compelling narratives that inspire action. You will lead a talented team, serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, and position UWA as the go-to organization when Alaska's leaders need to solve problems together.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and execute annual strategic communication plans that position UWA as Alaska's trusted convener and systems-change leader
• Serve as communications advisor to the President & CEO and Senior Leadership Team
• Lead the translation of complex initiatives (community convenings, systems-level strategies) into accessible, compelling stories for diverse audiences
• Write executive-level communications including op-eds, talking points, advocacy pieces, and public presentations
• Manage and mentor the communications team, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement

Brand & Reputation Management

• Oversee the evolution and consistent application of UWA's brand across all touchpoints
• Position UWA externally as Alaska's essential partner for cross-sector problem-solving and community innovation
• Build and maintain relationships with media partners across Alaska
• Develop messaging strategies that differentiate UWA's convening role from traditional service delivery
• Ensure all communications reflect our commitment to equity, community voice, and systems-level change

Content Development & Storytelling

• Lead the creation of compelling donor communications that connect giving to meaningful community outcomes
• Develop content that showcases UWA's role in major community initiatives and convenings
• Oversee website strategy and content management, ensuring it serves as a dynamic hub for community impact information
• Partner with the VP of Development to create fundraising materials that inspire investment
• Collaborate with the Director of Community Impact to translate program outcomes into powerful impact stories

Digital & Social Media Strategy

• Develop and oversee implementation of social media strategy across platforms
• Use analytics and metrics to continuously optimize reach, engagement, and impact
• Build digital campaigns that mobilize volunteers, engage donors, and elevate community partners
• Ensure UWA maintains an authentic, responsive digital presence

Event & Convening Support

• Provide communications and marketing support for public-facing events, including community convenings, speaking engagements, and UWA-hosted gatherings
• Ensure events are well-promoted, documented, and leveraged for ongoing storytelling
• Develop collateral and presentations that support UWA's role as Alaska's convening leader

Team & Operations Management

• Supervise and develop the communications team, including performance management and professional development planning
• Develop and manage the annual communications budget
• Establish workflows and project management systems that enable efficient, high-quality work
• Foster collaborative relationships across all UWA departments

Key Competencies

• Strategic and engaging communication across diverse audiences
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities
• Data-informed decision-making and performance analysis
• Team leadership, development, and performance management
• Brand stewardship and reputation management
• Digital and social media strategy
• Project and budget management
• Cross-functional collaboration and relationship building
• Crisis communications and issues management

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, communications, marketing, or related field
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible communications experience, with at least 2 years supervising professional staff
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications planning and execution
• Exceptional writing and editing skills across formats (AP style proficiency required)
• Proven ability to translate complex concepts into clear, compelling narratives
• Strong understanding of donor communications and nonprofit storytelling
• Experience developing metrics, analyzing data, and adjusting strategies based on results
• Budget management experience
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with diverse stakeholders

Preferred:

• Experience communicating about systems-level change, policy work, or collective impact
• Background in crisis communications
• Knowledge of Alaska's philanthropic, business, and nonprofit landscape
• Familiarity with convenings, coalitions, or cross-sector partnerships
• Experience with website CMS platforms and social media management tools
• Graphic design or visual communication skills

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $85,000 - $115,000, DOE
• Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plan, PTO, wellness resources
• Schedule: Full-time, M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evening/weekend events

Why Join Us?

This is your opportunity to shape the narrative of Alaska's most important community change work. You will help position UWA at the center of the state's toughest conversations, elevate the voices of partners and community members, and tell stories that inspire Alaskans to invest in collective solutions.

If you are energized by the challenge of translating vision into action, love working at the intersection of storytelling and strategy, and want your communications work to drive measurable community impact—this role is for you.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples (one strategic/persuasive piece and one storytelling/impact piece) to Fred Miller at fmiller@ak.org.

Position will remain open until it is filled.

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