Executive Director, Center for Native American and Indigenous Research

Leadership and Staff Management

Develop and implement a strategic plan to deliver the CNAIR mission in collaboration with stakeholders, leadership circles, affiliates, and the Principal Investigator(s).

Oversee personnel hiring and supervise and evaluate all CNAIR personnel.

Cultivate a culture of accountability, collaboration, efficiency, engagement, growth, and excellence.

Provide individual and team professional development opportunities while staying in current industry best practices.

Develop CNAIR’s national academic profile and partnerships towards cultivating a robust research portfolio in partnership with Native American and Indigenous Tribes and organizations that are community driven and community participatory.

Participate in planning and implementation of key CNAIR annual events and programs.

Facilitate interfacing and collaboration between the Center’s faculty affiliate and advisory network, Tribes and Tribal organizations, other Units on campus and local Native American community leadership.

Represent CNAIR in other relevant Northwestern taskforces, workgroups, and committees.

Recruit Indigenous scholars, Tribal leaders and knowledge keepers to Northwestern’s campus to share and build knowledge and engage in research.

Oversee CNAIR’s leadership circles and run the Advisory Council meetings.

Outreach

Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with tribes, urban centers, and Indigenous organizations across the country.

Network and build strong relationships with other academic and lay organizations working on putting research into action.

Represent the Center’s work in public forums.

Support institutional efforts to build visibility for the Center within Northwestern, engaging in task forces, committees, planning initiatives, and other leadership activities to become a valued partner across campus and disciplines.

Initiate outreach to Native and non-Native organizations, tribes, individuals, and media intended to broaden the impact of the Center’s research and enhance understanding by a variety of audiences of the political and cultural issues shaping and being shaped by Native communities.

Financial and Strategic Management

Develop and monitor budgets for the Center, including revenue and expense projections, ensuring financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation.

Drive organizational transformation, streamlining processes and enhancing operational efficiency.

Clarify, define, and secure approval for funding student and Center activities.

Build relationships with federal and philanthropic foundations and secure funding to support the ongoing operations of the Center.

Oversee and manage all operating, general, and endowed budget lines and prepare the annual budget with future projects and long-term strategic initiatives in mind.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Demonstrated relationship building skills.
• Familiarity with and experience working with Native American communities and an understanding of Indigenous issues and policies.
• Ability to network.
• Demonstrated success with development and fundraising.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in finance, economics, business, nonprofit leadership, or related field.
• At least ten years of experience in executive management, development, and/or fundraising.
• Strong expertise in the political and cultural history of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian peoples and federal policies and political relations.
• Understanding of urban Indian populations is desirable.
• Successful track record of leadership and team building.
• Experienced in research initiatives and collaboration.
• Demonstrable track record in strategic and operational management and planning.
• Experience of financial planning and resource allocation.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs.

To learn more about the available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northern Illinois University offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care.

To learn more about the available programs, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html.

Professional Growth and Development

Northern Illinois University supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources.

To learn more about the available resources, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html.