Summary
Description
Position Summary
The Deputy Director serves as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director and a key
member of the Leadership Team, helping guide the organization's growth, strengthen internal
operations, and cultivate a healthy, values-driven workplace culture. This position provides
leadership for human resources, organizational development, and operational systems while
supporting strategic planning and organizational effectiveness across all departments.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Deputy Director works collaboratively with
directors, staff, and the Dakota Advisory Council to ensure the organization's work remains
grounded in Dakota values, community priorities, and relational accountability. The ideal
candidate is an experienced and collaborative leader who inspires trust, develops people, and
embraces community-guided leadership. As Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi continues to grow, this role
will help build the systems and culture needed to advance our mission while caring for our people
and honoring the guidance of the communities we serve.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Growth
- Partner with the Executive Director to advance strategic people & culture and operations
- priorities.
- Foster a collaborative leadership culture grounded in Dakota values, relational accountability, and
- shared responsibility.
- Provide organizational leadership, continuity, and decision-making support while helping guide
- the organization's continued growth.
People & Organizational Culture
- Lead efforts to recruit, develop, and retain a values-aligned team through effective leadership,
- professional development, and performance management.
- Build a healthy workplace culture that promotes collaboration, wellness, accountability, and
- continuous learning.
- Coach and support Directors in strengthening leadership practices, communication, and team
- development.
Community-Guided Leadership
- Partner with the Dakota Advisory Council to ensure organizational priorities, programs, and
- policies are guided by Dakota values, perspectives, and community knowledge.
- Cultivate respectful, reciprocal relationships with Dakota community members, Elders, and
- cultural knowledge holders.
- Strengthen communication between the Advisory Council, Board, staff, and Executive Director to
- support community-guided decision-making.
Operations & Organizational Excellence
- Strengthen organizational systems, policies, and operational practices that support long-term
- sustainability and effectiveness.
- Oversee human resources, organizational policies, and internal systems while ensuring
- compliance with applicable laws and organizational standards.
- Promote collaboration across departments by aligning organizational systems, communication,
- and shared priorities.
Required & Preferred Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Minimum seven (7) years of leadership experience in nonprofit, community-based, Tribal,
- governmental, educational, environmental, cultural, or Indigenous-led organizations,
- including at least three (3) years supervising staff.
- Working knowledge of Dakota culture, language, history, lifeways, and contemporary issues,
- with the ability to respectfully apply this knowledge in organizational leadership and
- community partnerships.
- Proven success in building and fostering healthy workplace culture through effective staff
- leadership, professional development, performance management, and culturally responsive
- organizational practices.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and manage budgets, systems, and organizational
- operations.
- Ability to pass a background check.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated long-term relationship and trust-building experience within Dakota
- communities.
- Experience working with Tribal governments, Indigenous organizations, or community-led
- advisory bodies.
- Experience leading programming rooted in land-based practices, cultural revitalization, or
- Indigenous healing frameworks.
- Experience with museum, cultural center, interpretive, or public education environments.
- Experience advancing Indigenous approaches to stewardship, cultural interpretation, or
- sacred site protection.
- Experience implementing HR systems, organizational development frameworks, or
- leadership development programs.
- Experience supporting organizations through growth, capital projects, or major transitions
Organizational Values & Leadership Philosophy
We are seeking a leader who values collaboration over hierarchy, builds relationships before making
decisions, approaches challenges with humility and curiosity, and understands that caring for people
and place are inseparable.
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a
less formal background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of
our qualifications described. Waḳaƞ Ṭípi Awaƞyaƞkapi is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Compensation & Benefits
- $110,000 – $130,000 annual salary
- 15 days PTO, 4 days paid cultural leave, earned sick & safe time
- 11 paid holidays
- 401k Retirement with 3% match
- Medical, dental, vision, life, short term and long-term disability insurance
- Generous annual professional development budget
- Flexible work arrangements (if applicable)
How to Apply
Email resume and a cover letter speaking to leadership experience and connection to this work to
Amanda Achterkirch at hiring@wakantipi.orgby November 3rd at 11:59 pm.
