Sicangu CDC Director of Strategy and Operations
JOB TITLE: Sicangu CDC Director of Strategy and Operations
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week
SALARY RANGE: $68,000 to $73,000 / year
JOB SUMMARY
Sicangu Co is currently seeking a highly motivated individual to join the Sicangu Community Development Corporation (CDC) team as a Director of Strategy and Operations. This role serves as Sicangu CDC’s organizational integrator, ensuring that CDC’s leadership team, central services partners, and governance structures are aligned to the organization’s priorities. In close partnership with the Deputy Executive Director, this role is responsible for coordinating leadership priorities, supporting Board work, stewarding organizational systems, and driving the planning and follow-up that turn long-term vision into day-to-day execution.
The Director works alongside the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director to ensure smooth operations by maintaining the structures that link teams, priorities, and decision-making across the organization, including: central service navigation, leadership and Board meeting infrastructure, organizational work-plans, impact measurement, and internal communication. This is a high-capacity role requiring exceptional organizational skills, systems thinking, relationship-building, and the ability to balance multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, values-driven environment.
About Sicangu Co and the Sicangu Community Development Corporation (Sicangu CDC)
Sicangu Co is an indigenous ecosystem of interconnected organizations and initiatives dedicated to creating a healthier, more prosperous future for the Sicangu Lakota Oyate. Anchored in Lakota values and guided by the principles of self-sufficiency and community empowerment, Sicangu Co operates as a collective effort to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the Rosebud Reservation. Together, the ecosystem leverages shared resources, expertise, and partnerships to create impactful, lasting change. Grounded in our ancestral and cultural wisdom, with a deep understanding of the profound challenges faced by our people, see Sicangu Co is working towards Wicozani or “the good way of life” for the Sicangu Oyate - holistic health, economic self-sufficiency, cultural revitalization, sustainable housing, food sovereignty, climate resilience, and shared lasting prosperity.
Within the ecosystem lies Sicangu Community Development Corporation (Sicangu CDC), a nonprofit organization leading efforts to foster sustainable community development. Sicangu CDC focuses on food sovereignty, education, housing, and health while working collaboratively with other Sicangu Co entities to provide holistic support and opportunities for the community.
Essential Functions:
Operations Management
● Serve as central service navigator, connecting the CDC with REDCO’s central services teams (HR, Finance, IT, Marketing, Operations, and Development) to ensure responsive service delivery and operational support for CDC programs
● Lead CDC administrative work-planning to ensure operational priorities align with strategic objectives and that the organization functions efficiently.
● Implement and manage organizational project management systems (such as ClickUp and Google Workspace) to track priorities, share information, and facilitate organization-wide collaboration and transparency, including staff training and consistent usage
CDC Leadership Team Coordination
● Lead the CDC leadership team meeting rhythm (Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Director of Strategy and Operations, Executive Assistant), including agenda-setting in partnership with the ED, meeting facilitation, documentation of decisions, and management of follow-up tasks and timelines
● Own the organization and process for the leadership team and Board, tracking commitments, ensuring follow-through, and creating simple tools that keep everyone aligned
● Serve as lead staff for the Board of Directors’ work in support of the ED, including preparing materials, coordinating with committee or Board leadership on content and priorities, and ensuring Board needs are anticipated and addressed
● Under the direction of the Executive Director, help design Board and leadership retreats and meetings, overseeing the Executive Assistant on logistical components (e.g., scheduling, travel, meeting logistics, materials)
● Draft emails, memos, and other communications in the voice of the Executive Director
People Leadership & Human Resources
● Provide direct supervision, coaching, and development support to the Executive Assistant
● In partnership with Human Resources and the Deputy Executive Director, develop and maintain HR Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and related documentation that support consistent and values-aligned practices across CDC
● Ensure the Code of Conduct and organizational policies are clearly communicated and integrated into leadership practices
● Support the Deputy Executive Director and Program Directors in implementing and enforcing policies with their teams
● Coordinate and support training and development efforts for staff and leadership, including onboarding and orientation processes, in partnership with HR
● Support conflict resolution and navigate personnel challenges with professionalism and cultural sensitivity, elevating issues to the ED and Deputy Executive Director only as needed.
Financial Oversight
● In partnership with Finance and the Deputy Executive Director, support development of the CDC organizational budget
● Monitor the CDC’s financial performance bringing regular, accessible financial reporting from Finance to the Executive Director and board, surfacing trends, questions, and risks
● Coordinate with Finance on budget processes, expenditure approvals, and financial controls from a systems and process perspective, not as the primary financial decision-maker
Organizational Leadership
● Translate long-term strategy, including the 25-year vision, into operational milestones, strategic workplans, and cross-program coordination structures
● Design organization-wide processes to support clarity, alignment, and accountability across initiatives and departments
● Lead impact measurement work, overseeing the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) process to ensure the CDC can demonstrate outcomes and community benefit in ways that are meaningful to the Sicangu Oyate and funders
● Support long-term 25-year strategy work by translating long-term vision into operational milestones and actionable priorities, ensuring cross-program coordination with central services and other Sicangu Co entities
● Facilitate OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and work-planning processes across the organization, creating accountability structures and systems to drive results and keep the 25-year vision front and center
● Lead or coordinate special projects at the request of the Executive Director that require cross-functional collaboration, structured planning, and disciplined follow-up
● Serve as a bridge between the Executive Director and staff, helping to sequence change efforts thoughtfully and maintain clear communication during times of growth and transition.
Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
● 2-4 years of progressive leadership or management experience, preferably in nonprofit or community development sector
● Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional systems, managing organization-wide operations, and translating strategy into structured planning and execution
● Proven ability to partner with senior executives to operationalize strategy, shape organizational processes, and drive cross-departmental alignment
● Experience managing operations, budgets, and multiple departments, with a strong focus on systems, planning, and coordination
● Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify problems, define solutions, navigate ambiguity, and present complex information in clear, accessible formats for decision-makers
● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
● Strong written communication skills, with the ability to draft high-quality written communications on behalf of the Executive Director
● Strong systems thinking and ability to create organizational structures that enable efficiency and effectiveness
● Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain quality under pressure, especially in a role that requires juggling strategic projects and detailed follow-up
● Meticulous approach to operational details, compliance requirements, and quality standards
● Ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries and build productive partnerships
● Knowledge and competence in management and leadership grounded in Sicangu Lakota culture and values
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
● Office and public-facing environment
● Regular speaking, hearing, communication with others
● Ability to sit for extended periods (example: up to 70% of time sitting at a computer)
● Ability to stand for extended periods (example: up to 3-4 hours for an event)
● Periodic driving required (example: up to 1.5-hour distance)
● Occasional lifting, up to 25 pounds
Benefits:
● Health, vision, and dental insurance
● Life Insurance
● 401(k) matching
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Sicangu Co is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Indian Preference
In accordance with applicable federal law, including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. § 5307) and other relevant regulations, Sicangu Co applies an Indian Preference in employment. Qualified Native American candidates will be given preference in hiring.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $68,000.00 - $73,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Professional development assistance
Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
