Executive Director

The Moran Company•Rapid City, SD

1d•$97,000 - $117,000•Onsite

About The Position

Friends of the Children – He Sapa is seeking a passionate, visionary advocate for Indigenous children and families to serve as Executive Director. The ideal candidate understands both the incredible potential of every child as well as the significant barriers facing families impacted by foster care. The next Executive Director will continue to build the organization’s programs in Rapid City and on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Accountable to the Board of Directors, staff, and program participants, the Executive Director leads the executive team and manages all aspects of organizational development, financial health, and culturally grounded operations. Additionally, the leader will collaborate with the National CEO and network team to leverage best practices from over 30 years of national impact. Friends of the Children – He Sapa is part of a national network. The Executive Director works with the national team, and particularly the National Chief Executive Officer of Friends of the Children and the Chief Officer of Chapter Success, to build a high-performing, sustainable organization that leverages network best practices, partnerships, and over 30 years of impact.

Requirements

Deep knowledge of Indigenous culture and ways of knowing, with the proven ability to interweave this knowledge across all organizational operations.
Minimum of 7 years of demonstrated success working collaboratively within tribal communities or tribal-serving organizations.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, or similar capacities, holding progressively responsible roles.
Bachelor's degree required.
Strong financial acumen, strategic risk mitigation, exceptional written/verbal communication, and a proven track record of solving problems in a fast-paced, startup-style environment.

Nice To Haves

an advanced degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Cultivate and sustain meaningful relationships with sovereign tribal nations, tribal organizations, and tribal-serving communities.
Serve as the lead fundraising champion, enthusiastic spokesperson, and ambassador for the chapter.
Partner with major donors as well as tribal and public officials (city, county, state, and federal) to secure a diverse and sustainable foundation of funding.
Build collaborations across the broader nonprofit community to maximize regional impact.
Work with the current Board of Directors to provide ongoing board development and cultivate an effective and engaged local board.
Provide enthusiastic inspiration, strategic direction, and long-term vision. Lead the chapter in a culturally humble way grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and living.
Model high professional and ethical standards, fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect, engagement, empowerment, and support for all staff and youth.
Collaborate with the Board to develop and execute short- and long-term strategic plans, tracking milestones and setting 3-, 5-, and 10-year goals.
Work closely with National leadership to ensure program fidelity while growing the organization's footprint both locally and nationally.
Oversee the Program Director to validate effective implementation, maintain high-quality feedback loops, and deliver culturally appropriate services.
Ensure program staff receive continuous training focused on Indigenous-centered skills, knowledge, and content understanding.
Monitor and drive financial performance, manage budgets, ensure accurate reporting to the Board, and leverage National resources for HR and finance.
Maximize organizational structure and supervise staff to cultivate positive employee morale and high retention.