Position Description
 Position Title: Deputy Director
Location: Remote (US based only)
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Full-time, Exempt
 
Position Summary
IllumiNative is a dynamic, groundbreaking, and rapidly growing organization that is chartering a next phase of strategic growth that will enable the organization to significantly scale up its infrastructure, capacity, programming, and impact. The organization seeks a highly-skilled, passionate, and innovative Deputy Director ("DD") with a track record of transformational leadership results to oversee our program portfolio and directors for two IllumiNative departments: 1) Narrative Power + Impact and 2) Research + Action.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Deputy Director will serve as a key partner to the Executive Director and the IllumiNative Program Department Heads and at times, will work closely with the executive leadership team (CEO, President, Vice President). 

The DD will work in partnership with the Executive Director and executive and senior leadership to implement strategy, and vision and help develop IllumiNative’s organizational culture as we scale up infrastructure, staffing, programs, and impact. IllumiNative is committed to an organizational culture and practice that promotes leadership, collaboration, innovation, and impact that is grounded in our core Indigenous values including respect, reciprocity, accountability, and community.

We seek a DD who will help grow our programs and impact in partnership with staff to build power for Native peoples by amplifying contemporary Native voices, stories and issues in media, pop culture and other key sectors. The DD will serve as an important thought leader as we explore new and innovative ways to advance our mission by leveraging research, narrative and cultural strategy, organizing, and advocacy. They will play the lead role in oversight and management of programs and program staff and will work in partnership with the Executive Director and executive and senior leadership teams to support a standardized program and project management system. The DD will also partner with the Executive Director and leadership teams to create a more efficient system for organizational and program planning, workflow management, communication and collaboration across the organization, and evaluation to increase efficiency, performance, and impact.

The DD will work to stay abreast of the latest research and developing best practices and will work with the Executive Director and senior leadership and staff to identify and test innovative new ways to effectively fight and dismantle systemic racism and advance representation, equity, and justice for Native peoples.  The DD will have an important internal and external-facing leadership role for the organization.

The DD will work closely with the Executive Director and the executive and senior leadership teams and staff to help lead planning and implementation for strategic growth and financial management as well as partner with executive leadership on all major initiatives. The DD will be a significant partner with senior leadership, advancement, and program teams to grow investment and the portfolio of funding partners supporting IllumiNative’s mission and programs.

A successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in organizational strategy; program design; staff development and management; program/project management; building systems, policies, and procedures to optimize workflow, impact, staff engagement and wellbeing; organizing; and managing diverse people and partners. They will have a proven track record of successfully managing a wide range of simultaneous programs and projects; the ability to think outside the box; will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and will bring passion and commitment to working with Native peoples in order to fulfill IllumiNative’s mission. It is critical that the DD have a close working partnership with the Executive Director, executive leadership, and staff in order to help translate and operationalize the organizational vision, goals, annual plans, and strategies.

Organization Summary
IllumiNative is a national, Native woman-led racial and social justice organization. Our mission is to build power for Native peoples by amplifying contemporary Native voices, stories, and issues to advance justice, equity, and self-determination. We utilize research, narrative and culture change strategies, movement-building, and digital organizing to dismantle white supremacy and mobilize public support for Native issues. To learn more about our work, visit www.illuminatives.org.

Key Requirements of the Deputy Director

Reporting Relationships
The Deputy Director reports to the Executive Director and oversees the Senior Director of Narrative Power + Impact, and the Director of Research + Action, who report directly to the DD. Additionally, the DD is responsible for managing all contractors across various program areas.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as key partner to the Executive Director and be an important thought partner for the executive and senior leadership teams.
• Oversee and implement, with support from the Board, CEO, President, Vice President and Executive Director, strategic and annual organizational development plans.
• Integrate all aspects of the organization’s work including programs, communications, development, and finance.
• Establish productive working relationships between and among the senior leadership team, program directors, and staff to ensure a healthy and high performing organizational culture and practice grounded in core Indigenous values.
• Partner with the senior leadership team to identify opportunities, challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization and programs. Recognize internal and external opportunities, challenges and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Support in IllumiNative board reporting as it relates to program impact.
• Support the development and implementation of any fundraising plans and efforts  to significantly scale up IllumiNative’s infrastructure, staffing, programs, and impact.
• As needed, serve as an ambassador and effective speaker for IllumiNative at both IllumiNative-led and select external events.

Department Management

• Manage daily operations of the Narrative Power + Impact and Research + Action departments, overseeing the directors and staff, ensuring mission-driven, high-quality, impactful, and efficient programs. Set and track annual goals and objectives for programs and staff.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior leadership team to develop, maintain, and oversee systems and processes that ensure the organization's programs and projects are managed effectively in alignment with the organization's goals.
• Collaborate closely with senior program staff to enhance their skills and confidence, enabling them to mentor, inspire, and motivate all team members. Offer support and guidance on addressing challenges related to program execution and staff performance.
• Deploy resources efficiently and effectively toward organizational goals, working with staff to balance workload and effort, and provide regular feedback so that key staff can continuously improve their supervision and mentoring skills.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding and training program staff.

Narrative Power + Impact (NPI)

• Oversee, manage, and assess the Senior Director of Narrative Power + Impact, a program dedicated to shifting and building power through audience research, narrative and culture change strategies in key sectors, strategic communications, rapid response, Native-led transmedia storytelling, and digital organizing.
• Work closely with the Executive Director, NPI Sr. Director and staff to plan and implement the annual narrative change and strategic communications plan.
• In partnership with the NPI Senior Director, department directors, and staff, lead the creation and enhancement of vital infrastructure, staff training programs, and department activities to effectively reach major goals of building power for Native peoples.
• Keep abreast of the latest research, informed best practices, and information to drive thought leadership and professional development for the DD and program staff in narrative change, cultural strategy, rapid response, strategic communications, and digital organizing.
• Collaborate closely with the executive leadership, including the Executive Director and Senior Director of NPI, to keep branding and editorial guidelines current, and safeguard the integrity and protection of the IllumiNative brand, values, and voice.
• In partnership with the Executive Director, executive and senior leadership teams, and staff to create both an annual plan for impact for the Narrative Power + Impact department and an annual department budget.
• Partner with the executive leadership team in ensuring strong department performance to meet ambitious fundraising and organizational development goals.  

Research + Action

• Oversee, manage, and assess the Director of Research + Action ensuring the department advances IllumiNative's mission through strategic research collaborations with Native scholars and organizations. This role involves managing original studies that support and inform all areas of IllumiNative’s work.
• Work closely with the Director of the Research + Action Department, which emphasizes the role of research in developing strategies to further the organization's goals. Through detailed analysis of how Native peoples are portrayed and their experiences in areas such as education, media, and healthcare, this department prioritizes Native insights to drive innovation and thorough investigations.
• The DD, alongside the Executive Director and executive and senior leadership teams, will lead planning for the goals, objectives, activities and staffing plan for this department.
• In partnership with the Executive Director, executive and senior leadership teams, and staff to create an annual impact plan for the NPI department including an annual department budget.
• Partner with the executive leadership team in ensuring strong department performance to meet ambitious fundraising and organizational development goals. 

Team Development/Management

• Build and cultivate a high-performing program leadership team and staff as well as play an active role in attracting, retaining, and developing high-performing staff and leaders.
• Provide leadership in the development of inter-team communication, collaboration, cohesiveness, sustaining of organizational culture, and support staff during organizational growth.
• In partnership with the Executive Director and senior leadership, establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance appraisals.
• Partner with the Executive Director to create an organizational culture for staff that promotes leadership development, high-impact performance, joy, learning, health, and well-being. Be a co-leader in building a healthy movement-building and organizing organizational culture that also holds health, joy, and well-being as equally as important as our organizing and long-term visions and goals.

Finance

• Participate in the annual c3 budget process in partnership with executive senior leadership, senior program leadership to help meet budget goals, and monitor financial performance.
• Manage overall c3 program budget implementation and reporting.
• Partner with executive and senior leadership, finance, and our Advancement Department on budget needs, management, tracking cash flow, financial projections, budget planning and financial reporting.
• Assist with oversight of processing of department-related invoices and tracking payments to vendors.

Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• 3-5 years of successful senior leadership experience in program and staff management at a social impact organization preferred.
• 3-5 years of successful leadership experience preferred in communications, organizing, working with Native communities, and the social justice field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in a fast-paced and rapidly growing nonprofit environment.
• Deep understanding and commitment to social justice and Native peoples
• Bachelor’s Degree required ideally in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience in leading teams, programs, and projects in a remote setting.
• Significant experience developing and leading teams and working as an effective team member that includes building consensus, optimism, and confidence among staff.
• Significant experience in nonprofit financial management including developing annual and program budgets, monitoring, and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively to lead the integration of a complex organization and utilizing best practices in management to ensure shared success.
• Strong staff management experience is required, with the ability and interest to work closely with staff members to set and achieve individual and team goals.
• Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills, with a focus on results and impact
• Superior oral and written communication skills; ability to work effectively with people at all levels of the organization to create buy-in and promote teamwork.
• Strong initiative and motivation, with the ability to excel in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to quickly understand and articulate IllumiNative’s work and mission both internally and externally required.
• Ability to build partnerships, collaboration, and effective communication with internal as well as external partners and other organizations.
• Commitment to producing high-quality work against competing deadlines and strategic objectives.
• Integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed with a demonstrated passion for IllumiNative’s mission and commitment to working collaboratively with a management team of senior professionals.
• A team player, who can interrelate and operate effectively with peers and other associates within a collegial, yet demanding, work environment.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Self-reliant, good problem solver, results-oriented.
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs.

All employees of IllumiNative are required to complete timesheets.

How to Apply
Please use the JazzHR portal to send a resume, cover letter, and references:
https://illuminative.applytojob.com/apply/u8Iajlm1A1/Deputy-Director

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary range:  $170,000-$178,000
 
Benefits:
Comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance, 3% automatic employer 401k contribution and 3% employer match on 401k contributions, 17 paid holidays, generous paid time off and volunteer time, employer-funded HRA, flexible spending accounts, $200.00 cell phone replacement stipend every 2 years, up to $75.00 monthly cell phone bill reimbursement, and a $75.00 monthly fitness benefit.

Hiring Statement
IllumiNative is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, and rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. IllumiNative’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

COVID-19 Policy
To center the safety and well-being of its employees, IllumiNative requires that any employee who is required to conduct in-person activities for their job must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within four weeks of their start date.  This position may require candidates to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  Accommodations may be sought and approved in accordance with the law by contacting human resources at hr@illuminatives.org.