Commerce Director (Open Until Filled)

Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma•Pawnee, OK

4d•$75,000 - $0•Onsite

About The Position

The Commerce Director provides executive-level leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for the Tribe’s economic development, commercial initiatives, business enterprises, and revenue-generating activities. The role develops and implements strategies to strengthen the Tribe’s economy, diversify governmental revenues, create employment and business opportunities, and promote long-term economic sustainability and self-sufficiency. The Director works with executive leadership, Tribal Council, department directors, enterprise leadership, tribal corporations and boards, financial institutions, governmental agencies, private-sector partners, consultants, and community stakeholders to identify, evaluate, develop, and implement economic and commercial opportunities. The position also advises executive leadership on economic development, business investment, enterprise development, commercial partnerships, and economic policy. The Director leads the Department of Commerce and its assigned programs; develops departmental goals, plans, performance measures, policies, procedures, and annual work plans; and oversees employees and programs. The role develops a comprehensive economic development strategy, identifies opportunities involving tribal lands and assets, monitors enterprise performance, analyzes proposed projects and financial risks, and pursues programs and financing that support economic development. The Director also represents the Tribe in business and economic development settings, builds strategic partnerships, coordinates budgets and funding applications, and ensures departmental activities comply with applicable laws, policies, contracts, and funding requirements. The position reports to the Executive Director. It is full-time, exempt executive management. Work is primarily in a professional office environment, with periodic travel to project sites and other locations. Work outside normal business hours may be required for Tribal Council meetings, negotiations, community meetings, conferences, and official functions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Accounting, Public Administration, Economic Development, Management, or a closely related field.
At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic development, business administration, commercial development, finance, tribal enterprises, government administration, or a related field.
Valid driver’s license that must be maintained.
Ability to successfully complete applicable background screening requirements.
Willingness to travel as necessary for official business.
Knowledge of tribal government operations and tribal sovereignty.
Understanding of tribal economic development and tribal enterprise structures.
Knowledge of business planning, financial analysis, budgeting, and project development.
Ability to evaluate complex business opportunities and communicate their benefits and risks.
Knowledge of commercial financing, lending, investment, and economic development programs.
Ability to interpret financial statements, forecasts, feasibility studies, and market analyses.
Strong negotiation and relationship-management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver executive-level presentations.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills.
Ability to work effectively with elected officials, executives, employees, business leaders, consultants, financial institutions, and governmental agencies.
Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive business and governmental matters.
Professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and accountability.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economic Development, or a related discipline.
At least three years of supervisory or senior management experience.
Experience working with tribal governments, tribal enterprises, Native-owned businesses, or Native American economic development programs.
Experience developing business plans, financial projections, feasibility studies, economic development projects, or commercial transactions.
Relevant executive-level experience may be considered in combination with education as permitted by tribal policy.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership and oversight for the Department of Commerce and its assigned programs.
Develop and implement departmental goals, strategic plans, performance measures, policies, operating procedures, annual work plans, and measurable objectives.
Develop and implement a comprehensive economic development strategy aligned with the Tribe’s strategic priorities.
Identify opportunities to develop and productively use tribal lands and other tribal assets in coordination with appropriate departments and governing authorities.
Monitor assigned enterprises’ or commercial initiatives’ financial and operational performance and make recommendations to executive leadership.
Identify ways to improve profitability, efficiency, customer service, and long-term enterprise sustainability.
Conduct or coordinate financial analyses of proposed projects, including revenue and expense projections, cash flow, return on investment, financing needs, and financial risk.
Identify federal, state, tribal, philanthropic, and private-sector programs that support economic development and business expansion.
Represent the Tribe at economic development conferences, business meetings, intergovernmental meetings, and industry events.
Develop partnerships that create employment, contracting, investment, and revenue opportunities for the Tribe and its citizens.
Coordinate with the Finance Department on economic development budgets, financing arrangements, revenue projections, and financial reporting.
Identify grants, loans, tax-credit programs, guarantees, federal incentives, and other financing opportunities.
Coordinate with tribal grant personnel and departments to develop competitive funding applications.
Ensure Commerce Department activities comply with applicable tribal laws, policies, regulations, contracts, and funding requirements.
Coordinate with legal counsel on contracts, leases, business structures, regulatory matters, sovereign immunity, taxation, financing, and commercial agreements.
Establish measurable goals for revenue diversification, job creation, investment, and business development.
Identify emerging industries and technologies that may offer economic opportunities for the Tribe.
Promote economic development strategies consistent with tribal sovereignty, culture, community priorities, and responsible stewardship of tribal resources.
Supervise assigned employees and programs, including hiring recommendations, employee development, performance evaluations, work assignments, corrective action, and compliance with tribal personnel policies.
Travel as necessary for meetings, conferences, negotiations, project development, and other official business.