Executive Director, Center for Native American Youth - The Aspen Institute

ABOUT US

Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

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Center for Native American Youth (CNAY)

Founded in 2011, the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute is a national education and advocacy organization that works alongside Native youth ages 24 and under on reservations, in rural villages and urban spaces across the country to improve their health, safety and overall well-being. CNAY was inspired by former Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota to uplift Native American youth within the broader leadership and social policy platforms of the Aspen Institute. Today, CNAY runs five fellowship programs, two initiatives, conducts research studies, and is a key partner in local, national and international conferences engaging Native youth in policy and narrative change. The Program has created a robust, connected community of Native youth across Indian Country who engage with each other, creating community and confidence to improve their futures. Rooted in culture, CNAY’s vision is for all Native American youth to lead full and healthy lives, be honored for the leaders they are, and have resources and agency to create the world Native youth are worthy of and deserve.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Aspen Institute is seeking an Executive Director to lead the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY), a dynamic and impactful Native American youth leadership development and advocacy organization. The Executive Director will be a strategic thinker and strong manager who can work closely with Native youth, Tribal leaders and community stakeholders to design programs driven by a collective vision rooted in the values of Native and Indigenous cultures. In addition to leading the strategic positioning and growth of CNAY’s programming, the Executive Director will manage a full-time staff of 5, consistent with Aspen Institute’s values and norms, serve as the lead fundraiser for the Program, and be a key external representative for the organization. The Executive Director will meet the highest standards in conduct and executive judgment to protect the staff, stakeholders, and reputation of CNAY and the Aspen Institute. The Executive Director will possess strong writing and speaking ability to raise the profile of CNAY to funders, elected officials, thought leaders, and other key stakeholders. The candidate must have very strong management skills and be able to effectively and productively manage a small staff that includes individuals who work remotely. It is also important that the candidate have a good understanding of policy issues of importance to Indian Country and deep relationships with tribal communities, tribal leaders, and tribal nonprofit leaders. The candidate must be willing and able to travel to Tribal communities throughout the country and coordinate events in community focused on uplifting and elevating Native youth voices.

This role will report to the Executive Vice President of Policy Programs, and work in close coordination with the Aspen Institute Center for Rising Generations. The salary range for the position $175,000 - $200,000. This is a Washington, D.C., based position. Employees are expected to work in person at the office approximately two days a week.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Effectively recruit and manage a small but passionate staff, including some who work remotely, in a manner that focuses on teamwork and inclusion, effective communication, deliverables, and accountability.

• Identify strategic opportunities to expand the impact of CNAY, including partnering with other Aspen Institute programs and executive leadership to strengthen the internal and external capacity of CNAY as a leader in youth leadership.

• Collaborate and coordinate with the CNAY Advisory Board and its Youth Advisory Board, Aspen Executive team, funders, community partners, and other stakeholders to set a strategic and accountable vision for the organization.

• Recruit, manage, and retain a talented team of program staff to achieve the organization’s mission and program deliverables; Experience leading teams with professionalism is required.

• Identify strategic opportunities to partner with other Aspen Institute programs and executive leadership to strengthen the internal and external capacity of CNAY as a leader in the youth leadership.

• Manage relationships with nonprofit counterparts, international political and diplomatic organizations, and federal officials.

Communication Skills

• Work with CNAY program staff and stakeholders to develop a communications plan that raises the external profile of CNAY and its work.

• Communicate with CNAY’s national network of Native youth leaders to elevate Native youth voices in the media.

• Consult, collaborate, and communicate with Aspen executive staff, the CNAY Board of Advisors and Youth Advisory Board on a regular basis about Program goals and activities.

Development and Financial Management

• Develop, lead, and implement a strategic action and fundraising plan that maintains and builds upon an annual operating budget of over two million dollars and a significant reserve fund.

• Ensure fiscal stability through budget management and oversight.

• Cultivate high-level investors and donors, manage relationships with key donors and foundations, and lead strategic meetings and events targeted at foundation representatives.

• Write and/or edit proposals, concept papers, project narratives and all other materials related to fundraising for CNAY to be submitted to donors.

• Review and contribute to all quarterly, bi-annual and annual reports to funders, Aspen Institute management, and Board of Advisors

Program Implementation & Execution Content

• Oversee and strengthen the CNAY team’s successful design and execution of key leadership development, research, policy, advocacy and communication programs.

• Work closely with Youth Advisory Board and national network of Native youth leaders to identify key issues and priorities to drive program outcomes.

• Build coalitions of Native and non-Native organizations that support Native youth priorities.

• Oversee development of various national reports.

• Conduct/commission research on local, tribal, state and national system-level barriers, and help create opportunities for Native youth to succeed.

• Work with team to provide targeted technical assistance to local community programs and Native youth leaders that draws on CNAY’s expertise, systems of support, and financial resources.

• Work closely with Native youth advisors to identify new program opportunities.

• Work closely with Board of Advisors to identify funding and program opportunities and policy issues important to Indian Country and Native youth.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

To succeed in this role, you will possess:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; ten or more years of experience with a focus on Native American youth development and program management is required.

• Current knowledge of:

  • Issues of importance to Native American youth, including relevant statistics and trends.

  • Federal, tribal, state and local policies related to tribal communities and their impacts on youth and families.

  • Best practices in Native American youth engagement and leadership.

  • Relevant resources, experts and potential partners in areas related to Native American youth well-being.

• Experience leading teams with professionalism, building a positive and inclusive work environment.

• Experience raising funds through foundations, government entities, and individuals.

• Strong understanding of policy issues of importance to Indian Country and deep relationships with tribal communities, tribal leaders, and tribal nonprofit leaders.

• Excellent program management skills consisting of experience managing and reporting on budgets and written and verbal communication skills including facilitation, presentation and public speaking skills.

• A history and ability to lead within a complex organization, including a commitment to managerial and organizational excellence and a drive for strong communication and coordination within and outside an organization

• Experience working with Indian tribes and tribal organizations and a strong national network required; direct experience working with vulnerable youth and communities is preferred.

• Ability to travel approximately 20% of the time.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should apply through the Aspen Institute portal.

Please note that a cover letter is required; applications without cover letters will not be considered. A strong cover letter will include your interest and qualifications for the position and reflect your voice and written communication skills.

To ensure equity among applicants, the Aspen Institute and its employees are discouraged from responding to individual requests for information or interviews. Interviews will be selected from applicants who have entered their information as described above starting in early January.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

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