President, Alaska Federation Of Natives

The salary range is $225k to $300k annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Job Category:

Executive

Organizational Overview:

The Position: President

Alaska Federation of Natives seeks a dedicated leader to serve as its next President and as a statewide, national, and international ambassador for Alaska Native people. AFN is an organization always evolving to meet the changing needs of Alaska Natives, while keeping central to its identity the intention of AFN to bring together the Alaska Native community as one voice. AFN s next President will be responsible for strengthening this sense of unity while working to protect and advance Alaska Native peoples inherent rights and self-determination. The ideal candidate will be a humble leader with executive experience, working knowledge of the systems, processes, and strategic approaches required to effect federal and state policy change, and an accomplished record of impact in advocating to protect and advance Alaska Native interests.

The Organization

Alaska Natives unique model of self-determination and tribal governance includes a constellation of federally recognized tribes, ANCSA village and regional corporations, regional nonprofits, and tribal consortiums that work together to protect inherent rights and advance Alaska Native peoples' self-determination through economic development, protection of traditional ways of life, and various social and cultural programs and services. The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska that brings a unifying voice to Alaska Native issues and opportunities statewide, works to protect Alaska Native self-determination and tribal governance, and hosts the largest annual gathering of Indigenous peoples in North America. Its membership currently includes 209 federally recognized tribes, 185 ANCSA village corporations, nine ANCSA regional corporations, and ten regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums that contract and compact to run federal and state programs. AFN is governed by a 38-member board, which is elected by its membership.

Role Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

The President is the external face and internal driver of AFN and oversees its day-to-day affairs. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership and coalition-building on behalf of AFN to advance statewide Alaska Native issues and unity.
  • Provide strategic oversight of AFN, including guiding the development of short- and long-term strategies to meet the organization s mission.
  • Build and maintain strategic partnerships and foster collaborative opportunities, including around state and federal issues.
  • Be responsive to diverse interests and support the board in dealing with divisive issues both internally and externally.
  • Maintain effective membership communication and attend meetings, as appropriate, throughout the state and nation to advance AFN s priorities.
  • Represent AFN on various task forces, boards, and commissions that would have potential impacts on AFN s goals.
  • Oversee and lead all aspects of AFN s annual convention.
• Provide oversight of AFN s day-to-day and strategic operations.
  • Advance the mission of AFN through stable membership, effective staffing, and long-term organizational sustainability.
  • Plan, organize, direct, monitor, and manage employees, contractors, and consultants to accomplish organizational goals and objectives.
  • Responsible for HR functions including recruitment, hiring, performance management, and professional development.
  • Establish and manage an annual budget for operations and authorized special projects.
  • Manage work done on behalf of AFN s priorities in litigation, legislation, and regulation.
• Support the AFN Board of Directors in their governance of the organization.
  • Advance priorities identified by the AFN Board and Convention Resolutions.
  • Provide support and reporting for quarterly AFN Board meetings, including regular financial reporting and metrics.
  • Support AFN Committees in their work. The Board of Directors is an active board which delegates various issues and authorities to its committees, including the Executive Governance Committee, the Legislative & Litigation Committee, the Council for Alaska Native Advancement, the Budget & Audit Committee, the Convention Committee, the Subsistence Committee, and other part-time or temporary committees established to meet the needs of the annual convention or special initiatives.
• Oversee fundraising efforts as part of AFN s overall financial responsibilities.
  • Support the AFN Board in maintaining good accountability and transparency in funding needs and uses.
  • Collect annual membership dues and assessments for special projects and help secure donations and corporate sponsorship for the Convention.
  • Supervise and guide AFN staff in fundraising efforts, both direct sponsorship solicitations and through various fundraising events throughout the year.
  • Ensure effectiveness and compliance for all grant proposals and reporting.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

Experience

• At least ten years of senior leadership experience.
• An accomplished record of impact in advocating to protect and advance Alaska Native interests.
• Working knowledge of and experience with the systems, processes, and strategic approaches required to effect federal and state policy change.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing high-performing teams and complex budgets.
• A history of supporting teams and organizations through change and toward a desired future.

Skills and Abilities

• A spirit of humility and a predisposition to remain calm under pressure and through challenges.
• Nuanced understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and the distinct legal status of Alaska Natives through their unique model of self-determination.
• Ability to cultivate and enhance relationships with diverse stakeholders and effectively communicate in ways consistent with Alaska Native values.
• Ability to nurture coalition building and unity and effectively negotiate and lead processes focused on reaching compromise or agreement while avoiding argument and dispute.
• Respect for Alaska Native Elders, leaders, people, cultures, and traditional ways of life; with appreciation and value of the diverse missions of Alaska Native tribes, ANCSA corporations, nonprofits, and tribal consortiums, and their interconnectedness within the state, regions, and communities.
• Ability to travel in-state and nationally approximately 25% of the time.

How to Apply

Application Contact:

Application Deadline:

April 15, 2024

Application Instructions:

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