Agency Overview:
thread assists families in finding affordable, high-quality child care that meets their needs. We provide professional development, technical assistance, and financial support to early childhood educators and programs to ensure they are preparing children for lifelong success. By collaborating with communities and businesses, we work to achieve positive outcomes for families and young children through increased access to affordable, high-quality child care. We undertake research and advocate for child care policies. This work is guided by our core values of empowerment, access, child care professionalism, children’s rights, and entrepreneurial incubator.
Specific Responsibilities:
The Content & Communications Specialist develops and manages engaging, audience-centered content that advances thread’s mission. This position leads content creation across digital and print channels, manages social media and email marketing, maintains the content calendar, and supports storytelling initiatives that elevate the voices of families, early educators, partners, and communities. Working closely with program staff and the Marketing & Communications Director, this position ensures communications are timely, compelling, accessible, and aligned with organizational goals, brand standards, and strategic priorities.
- Develops, writes, edits, and publishes original content for thread blogs, newsletters, web pages, marketing materials, and other organizational communications.
- Manages thread’s social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn) by creating content, scheduling posts, engaging audiences, and monitoring platform performance.
- Monitors social media trends, audience engagement, and local, state and national child care news to identify opportunities for timely, relevant communications.
- Plans, develops and executes email marketing campaigns, including writing content, building emails, managing audience segmentation, and tracking campaign performance.
- Leads storytelling initiatives by identifying, interviewing, and developing stories that showcase the impact of thread’s
work through the experiences of families, early childhood educators, partners, programs, and communities.
- Writes compelling copy for integrated marketing campaigns that support organizational initiatives, events, advocacy efforts, fundraising, recruitment, and program outreach.
- Writes, edits, and distributes press releases, media advisories, and other public relations materials to promote thread initiatives, events, announcements, partnerships, and accomplishments.
- Maintains and updates media contact lists and supports media outreach efforts to strengthen relationships with news outlets and community partners.
- Develops content for internal communications. including staff announcements, organizational updates, and other employee communications.
- Maintains and updates website content to ensure information is accurate, current, accessible, and aligned with organizational messaging and branding standards.
- Develops and manages the organizational editorial calendar to coordinate content across communication channels and ensure timely execution of campaigns, initiatives, and organizational priorities.
- Collaborates with internal teams to gather content, identify communication opportunities, and ensure messaging is accurate, consistent, and audience-focused across all platforms.
- Serves as a steward of the thread brand by supporting implementation of the Brand Guide and ensuring consistent application of the organization's voice, messaging, and visual identity across all communications.
- Assists with photography, videography, and collection of visual content for use across marketing and communication channels, coordinating with staff, partners, and external vendors as needed.
- Represents thread
at community events, conferences, and outreach activities by staffing exhibit booths, creating live or event-related content, and promoting organizational programs and services.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Professional experience in content marketing, communications, graphic design, public relations, fundraising, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience writing and editing content for multiple audiences and communication channels.
- Experience managing organizational social media platforms and developing engaging digital content.
- Previous experience working with marketing software, including MS Office, InDesign, website CMS, and social media tools.
- Strong interviewing, storytelling, and editorial skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling content.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and familiarity with digital collaboration tools.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical writing, with exceptional attention to detail, grammar, spelling, and proofreading.
- Familiarity with accessibility standards for digital communications (ADA/WCAG).
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Current driver’s license required; Alaska driver’s license preferred.
- Must pass background check.
Key Competencies:
- Passion and commitment to thread’s mission and the importance of early childhood education.
- Knowledge of early care and education programs and services, and community collaboration initiatives preferred.
- Plans, prioritizes, and manages multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality work.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of providers, parents, staff, and members of the community.
- Ability to effectively facilitate and lead stakeholders to achieve goals.
- Ability to work a varied schedule based on department needs.
- Responds effectively to changing priorities, emerging opportunities, and evolving communication needs while maintaining quality and professionalism.
- Strong interpersonal skills required.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to use database systems and general office programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience with Salesforce preferred.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
- Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
- Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and other office equipment.
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically.
- Occasional travel for meetings, trainings, or other organizational activities.
- Occasional evening or weekend work as needed.
- Ability to lift, carry, and transport event materials and displays weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to set up and dismantle booths, displays, signage, and promotional materials for events.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during conferences, community events, and outreach activities.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Schedule and Compensation:
Position Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, occasional evenings and weekends required.
Location: In Alaska – Anchorage, Juneau or Fairbanks preferred
Position Type: Full Time, 40 hours/week
Classification: Exempt, Permanent
Supervisor: Marketing & Communications Director
Supervises: None
Starting Compensation Range: $60,000 - $63,000 annual salary
Full Time Benefits: 20 days of leave (starting), paid holidays, 403b match, High-Deductible Health Plan with HSA option (employer contributes to HSA), Dental, Vision and Life. All premiums covered 100% for employee’s health, dental, vision and life. Free thread services.
