CEO

WASEYABEK DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC•Grand Rapids, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the senior executive leader of Waséyabek, a 100% Tribally owned holding company, and is accountable for establishing the organization's vision, strategic direction, and long-term value creation. The CEO provides enterprise leadership across a diversified portfolio of companies while honoring the Tribe's Seven Grandfather Teachings, culture, and economic development objectives. As the primary outward-facing executive, the CEO cultivates and maintains trusted relationships with the Tribal Council, Board of Directors, Tribal Membership, business partners, government agencies, investors, lenders, and other strategic stakeholders. The CEO serves as the principal spokesperson for the organization and ensures the company's mission, strategy, and performance are communicated with transparency and integrity. The CEO is ultimately accountable for the overall performance of the holding company, including strategic growth, capital allocation, organizational capability, governance, and enterprise risk management. Working closely with the COO and executive leadership team, the CEO establishes enterprise priorities while empowering operational leaders to execute effectively.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree plus 10 to 15 years of progressive executive experience with a proven track record of scaling mid-market businesses.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to quickly adapt focus, adjust schedule and problem solve to meet evolving work demands and needs of supervisor and other stakeholders.
Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also work independently and balance multiple competing priorities and tasks.
Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen.
Ability to pass an extensive background investigation, including but not limited to personal and professional financial history, nationwide criminal record search, credit check and other relevant background information deemed necessary by Waséyabek.

Nice To Haves

Experienced business owner
Experience supporting multiple business units, locations, or affiliated entities preferred.
Experience with Federal Contracting preferred.
SHRM-CP, PHR, SHRM-SCP, or SPHR certification preferred.
Prior knowledge or experience working with a Native American Tribe.

Responsibilities

Establish and communicate a clear long-term vision and enterprise strategy aligned with priorities and economic development goals, as captured in 1-yr and 5-yr strategic plans and budgets.
Lead the identification, evaluation, acquisition, development, and growth of portfolio companies.
Ensure disciplined capital allocation across investments, operating companies, and strategic initiatives.
Monitor market trends and emerging opportunities to strengthen the organization's long-term competitiveness.
Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Serve as the primary liaison to the Tribal Council, Board of Directors, and Tribal Membership.
Build trusted relationships with external partners, financial institutions, government agencies, industry leaders, and strategic allies.
Ensure timely, transparent, and meaningful communication regarding company strategy, performance, risks, and opportunities.
Support effective governance practices and ensure management recommendations are aligned with Board expectations.
Recruit, develop, and retain an exceptional executive leadership team.
Establish organizational priorities and align leadership around strategic objectives.
Foster an executive culture built on integrity, accountability, respect, and collaboration.
Ensure succession planning for key leadership positions within Waséyabek and its portfolio companies.
Maintain overall accountability for enterprise financial performance.
Approve enterprise capital deployment and major investment decisions.
Balance long-term growth with financial sustainability and risk management.
Ensure appropriate governance over financial reporting and resource allocation.
Champion strategic acquisitions, partnerships, and new business opportunities.
Oversee enterprise-wide strategic planning.
Ensure portfolio company operations, budgets and plans align with the holding company's long-term investment philosophy and Five-Year Strategic Plan while preserving appropriate operational autonomy at the portfolio level.
Model leadership consistent with the Tribe's values and long-term vision
Promote ethical leadership, inclusion, accountability, and servant leadership throughout the organization
Strengthen organizational culture while supporting entrepreneurial leadership across the portfolio