Job Description
Job Title: Chief Strategy Officer
Organization: American Indian College Fund
Location: Denver, CO - Hybrid
Compensation: $175,000-$180,000
Organization Description The American Indian College Fund has been the nations largest charity supporting Native higher education for 35 years. The College Fund believes Education is the answer and provided $20.5 million in scholarships and other direct student support for access to a higher education that is steeped in Native culture and values to American Indian students in 2023-24.
Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $349 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of programs at the nations 33 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers.
The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. It earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, and the Best in America Seal of Excellence from the Independent Charities of America.
The College Fund was also named as one of the nations top 100 charities to the Better Business Bureaus Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit
Our Mission The American Indian College Fund invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities.
Our Vision The vision of the American Indian College Fund is for healthy, self-sufficient, and educated American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Since its founding in 1989, the American Indian College Fund has been the nations largest charity supporting Native student access to higher education. We provide scholarships and programming for American Indian and Alaska Native students to access higher education. And once students are in college, we provide them with the tools and support to succeed.
Position Summary: The Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) is a key member of the President & CEOs executive leadership team (ELT). This role is instrumental in achieving the College Funds vision of thriving, prosperous tribal families and communities by supporting American Indian and Alaska Native students' college access and success and enhancing the capacity of TCUs to fulfill their cultural, workforce education, and community engagement missions. The CSO directly supports the President in the implementation of strategic and annual plans and budgeting and collaborates with the College Fund team, Board of Trustees, and partners to achieve the College Fund vision and its strategic priorities.
The CSO serves as a thought partner, innovative strategist, and provides expert advice supporting problem identification and creative solutions that remove barriers to the College Fund success.
At the request of the President, the CSO represents the College Fund and develops critical partnerships that build the College Funds network, increase Native students, TCUs, and College Fund capacity, visibility, and resource development.
Key Roles & Responsibilities - Expand the College Fund's influence and partnerships with TCUs, education and policy organizations, institutions of higher education, and philanthropy.
- Foster an environment of capacity building, managed growth, and organizational development in collaboration with the ELT, ensuring efficient resource allocation and maximizing team members' skills and abilities.
- Facilitate the use of planning and project management tools and relationships encouraging defined relationships and outcomes across the College Fund and with partners.
- In partnership with the President and ELT, motivate and inspire staff to work collaboratively towards the College Fund's vision and goals by providing expert advice, critical analysis and problem-solving, and supportive communications.
- Provide organizing support with strategic planning, annual planning, and budget development, and support team leaders with their processes.
- Strengthen and play an active role in management and governance culture and practices that reflect the College Funds core cultural and mission-oriented values.
Educational & Experience: - Graduate degree preferred.
- At least five years of leadership experience in a nonprofit, for-profit, government, or philanthropy, working on growth, program development, strategy, planning, or related issues.
- Knowledge and demonstrable prior experience working in the tribal college movement and/or with tribally controlled education.
- Demonstrated knowledge of tribal sovereignty and knowledge of tribal people including those served by the College Fund and TCUs.
Additional Skills & Requirements: - Demonstrated experience in program management and administration.
- Comprehensive working knowledge of organizational planning, organizational structure, budgeting, administrative operations, and fundraising.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization externally across a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies.
- Strong relationship builder with the ability to find common ground, build consensus and strengthen the collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to successfully navigate in a fast-paced and outcomes-driven environment while remaining grounded in cultural values and practices including promoting wellness and self-care among constituencies and colleagues.
- Demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, inclusiveness, and empowerment.
- Demonstrated ability to use project management and planning tools.
The American Indian College Fund offers a competitive benefits package including health, disability, life, eye, and dental insurance, 403B matching and discretionary employer contributions, generous paid time off, education reimbursement, and active life-style reimbursement program.
Note to Applicants: This search is being conducted by Grace Lerner of Valliant Consulting Group. Successful candidate must be able to pass an in-depth background check. If you require reasonable accommodations, please reach out to us at staffing@valliant.com and we will be happy to work with you. American Indian College Fund is an equal opportunity employer.
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