Cultural Sovereignty Director

Overview

POSITION: CULTURAL SOVEREIGNTY DIRECTOR

For full position description and additional information, please go to https://www.indian-affairs.org/jobs.html

• This is a leadership position within the organization.
• Full-Time Exempt / Salaried position (40+ hours per week)
• Virtual and requires dedicated home office space
• Flex time is available
• Beginning Salary Range: $75,000 – $125,000, depending on experience
• Benefits include health, dental, retirement plan, robust holiday, vacation, and sick leave, ongoing training, intergenerational healing and coaching opportunities
• APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 WITH A START DATE IN MARCH 2025.

HOW TO APPLY

For full position description and additional information, please go to https://www.indian-affairs.org/jobs.html

The deadline for applications is on or before Friday, February 7, 2025. To apply for this position, email your resume, cover letter and writing sample to general@Indian-Affairs.org. Your application should feature how your skills and expertise align with the position’s responsibilities. The writing sample should be no more than 5 pages, be 100% drafted by you, and should have a sentence to describe where the writing sample came from and when it was written.  The Association values strong writing and editing skills for this position and your application should reflect that. Please include your experience working in Native Country with Native Peoples and Native Nations, and your understanding of the laws and regulations that apply to this work.

Position Description

The Association on American Indian Affairs is the oldest non-profit serving Native Country protecting sovereignty, preserving culture, educating youth and building capacity. The Association was formed in 1922 to change the destructive path of federal policy from assimilation, termination and allotment, to sovereignty, self-determination and self-sufficiency. Throughout our more than 100-year history, we have provided national advocacy on watershed issues that support sovereignty and culture, while working at a grassroots level with Native Nations to support the implementation of programs that affect real lives on the ground.

Job Purpose

This position is a key employee (exempt) position overseen by the Chief Executive. The Cultural Sovereignty Director shall be responsible to develop, lead, grow, and implement the organization’s programmatic activities under the Association’s Cultural Sovereignty Program, which includes, but is not limited to the following initiatives: Repatriation (which includes the Repatriation Conference, NAGPRA, domestic and international repatriation outside of NAGPRA, illicit trafficking, and the return of other tangible and intangible cultural heritage), Protecting Sacred Relationships (which includes work to protect sacred places, lands, waters. and ecosystem relationships), and Recognition of Relatives (which includes issues related to federal acknowledgment and identity). The employee works collaboratively with other staff to achieve the vision, mission and goals of the organization. This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated professional to assume a pivotal role in the evolution of a highly respected 103-year-old organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements strategic/business plan strategies for each initiative area and works toward carrying out those strategies successfully;

• Ensures successful growth, development and implementation of all initiatives within the Cultural Sovereignty program;

• Responsible for day-to-day program activities;

• Develops and finalizes appropriate processes and reporting for the Cultural Sovereignty Program and its initiatives, including compliance and reporting for grant funded initiatives;

• Grows, develops and maintains partnerships with Native Nations and other organizational partners that are important to the Cultural Sovereignty Program and its initiatives;

• Nurtures meaningful relationships with Native Nations, Indigenous Peoples, Native and nonNative organizations and the public;

• Creates and facilitates training and technical assistance for initiative areas, and is an adept speaker in these areas;

• May provide supervision to other staff, contractors, and volunteers for initiative areas;

• Engages with staff, contractors, and volunteers to collaborate and carry out organization priorities, including public education, and supports delivery of all efforts in line with our Intergenerational Healing principles;

• Performs public speaking, lectures, training, media interviews and the like in support of the Cultural Sovereignty program;

• Works professionally with strong organizational skills and is considerate and respectful of all people;

• Works in partnership with the Chief Executive to carry out the organization’s vision, mission and goals; and

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. At least a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as history, sociology, public policy, law or organizational development required.

2. Minimum of five years of demonstrated experience managing programs of similar subject matter, size and demographics.

3. Experience working in subject matter areas of this position is required.

4. Minimum of two years of demonstrated experience supervising staff.

5. Experience working with Native Nations and Native Country issues is required.

6. Strategic vision and agility that enables the organization as a whole to think strategically, anticipate future consequences and trends, and incorporate them into holistic program/initiative plans.

7. Credible, confident and articulate with proven written and verbal presentation and negotiation skills.

8. Team-player who can build rapport with various groups and organizations.

9. Computer experience working with spreadsheet and word processing software programs, especially Office 365.

10. Responsible for the preparation and timely submission of all program, contract and grant reports, including monthly, quarterly and/or annual reports to the Chief Executive.

11. Able to meet tight deadlines and remain calm under pressure.

12. Works with transparency and integrity, and shares the values of the organization.

Working Conditions

This is a virtual employment opportunity with a growing Native-led nonprofit. Employee will be provided appropriate equipment. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, etc. The physical demands required for the position are representative of those that must be met in an office environment. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 30 pounds. The position will require travel at least 4 times per year.

Term of Position

The Cultural Sovereignty Program Director is overseen and evaluated by the Chief Executive on at least an annual basis based on elements of the Association’s Strategic Plan and other professional and non-profit standards. The term of the position is permanent and at will.

For full position description and additional information, please go to https://www.indian-affairs.org/jobs.html