This position provides overall management, strategic planning,, organization, and implementation for Atautchikun, LLC, NANA’s public benefit company.  Reporting to the Vice President of NANA’s Economic Development and Sustainability (EDS), the executive director will provide input to, and have responsibility for execution of, the strategy and development plan to support Atautchikun’s mission and business objective of securing grant funding.

This position may be based at NANA's Corporate Office in Kotzebue, AK, or from Anchorage, AK subject to candidate qualifications, preference, and company approval.  This position will be posted until filled and candidates will be interviewed as they are identified.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Working with the VP of EDS and the EDS Committee, oversee all Atautchikun, LLC operations and programs.
• Participate in, and lead, planning efforts to identify needs and priorities of NANA communities and other stakeholders (e.g., the NANA Board of Directors, Regional Elder’s Council, NANA shareholders, regional tribes, Northwest Arctic Borough, Northwest Arctic Borough School District, Maniilaq Association, etc.). Position serves on the Regional Infrastructure Workgroup and other committees as needed.
• Create an Atautchikun, LLC strategic plan that includes (at a minimum) potential sources of investment, key partnerships, grant pursuit targets, success metrics, and planned communications efforts.
• Build and manage a team to execute on the strategic plan and the pursuit of targeted grant opportunities using internal and external resources.
• Develop and implement successful grant lifecycle management processes, including all requirements to identify, monitor, and pursue local, state, federal, and private grants.
• Write, review, and approve grant applications and proposals, ensuring alignment with Atautchikun’s strategic goals and compliance with all applicable requirements. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure high-quality, competitive submissions.
• Ensure all grants are managed within defined terms and conditions and submit all required reports in a timely manner. Monitor effective benchmarks for measuring the impact of all grant-funded opportunities.
• In coordination with senior management and NANA communications, develop a multi-faceted communications plan that includes employee communications, shareholder communications, executive communications, community outreach, public relations, media relations, marketing materials, and advertising.
• Prepare monthly updates of current activities and progress against strategic initiatives for the EDS Board Committee.
• Serve as a key point of contact for Atautchikun, LLC with company stakeholders, tribes, shareholders, funding agencies, and other relevant parties. Represent the company at social and corporate events.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Other duties that are pertinent to the project's success also may be assigned.

• Master’s degree preferred. Bachelor’s degree in project management, business administration, or related discipline.
• Five or more years’ experience in managing complete life-cycle grant management and community development projects.
• Minimum three years of direct experience writing successful grant proposals to federal, state, or private funders.
• Experience recruiting and retaining a qualified team of grant writers, project manager/grants administrators, and other staff.
• Experience producing high-quality technical writing products, and communications materials, demonstrated by a portfolio of materials.
• Excellent understanding of finance-related performance standards, and proven ability to develop and execute financial and grants strategies
• Expert-level oral, written, and persuasive communication skills.
• Creativity and innovation to address unique challenges stemming from the high degree of complexity that will be encountered in daily work.
• Organizational, problem-solving, and project and time management skills. Must be able to maintain composure and adherence to schedule while managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated experience in building productive business relationships that require engagement with many stakeholders.
• An extremely high attention to detail.
• High energy, maturity, and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels. Demonstrated ability to influence strategic outcomes for the company.
• Advanced computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Must be able to travel; travel will include remote locations. Methods of travel may vary and include small aircraft, snow machine, four-wheeler, or boat
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record to be eligible under NANA’s vehicle insurance policy

Preferred Requirements

• Preference will be given to those candidates with a working knowledge of, and experience with, NANA’s various organizations.
• Experience working with, and understanding of, rural native communities and associated complexities.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Weather: This position requires a majority of the work to be performed inside in an environmentally controlled office, occasionally requiring work to be performed outside where the employee may be exposed to harsh weather conditions.

Noise level: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to quiet, may be exposed to a loud work environment when traveling to worksites.

Description of environment: Most of the work will be in a standard office environment with standard office equipment. Incumbent must also be able to visit the Red Dog Mine, locations on the North Slope as well as various other sites both locally in the state of Alaska as well as Nationally.  May be required to work in less-than-ideal offices, facilities, or situations when traveling.

Physical requirements:  Employee is required to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands/fingers to handle or feel, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk/hear, see, taste/smell, and carry weight/lift.

Travel: Up to 25% of the time. Employee may travel throughout Alaska and/or to remote locations and may be required to use alternative modes of transportation, including but not limited to snow machines, boats, small airplanes, and ATVs.   Travel to and from the worksite will be provided and arranged by NRBN.