JOB TITLE

Health Initiative Director

REPORTS TO

Executive Director

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

TYPICAL SCHEDULE

Full-time, primarily on-site.

SALARY RANGE

$70,000 - $90,000

Position Overview:

The Health Initiative Director provides strategic leadership for the Sicangu Health Initiative and its work to strengthen health and wellbeing across the Sicangu Oyate. The Director leads a connected portfolio that currently includes Lakota Foodways, the Indigenous Birth Initiative, the Youth Land-Based Program, and the Three Journeys Health and Wellness Program. The Director sets the overall direction for the Initiative, translates community priorities and Sicangu CDC's broader strategy into meaningful programs and action, and ensures the work remains aligned, effective, and sustainable. They lead and develop the Initiative team, build strong community and partner relationships, and oversee the resources and systems needed to move the work forward. As a member of the CDC leadership team, the Director works closely with other initiative and organizational leaders to strengthen collaboration, contribute to shared priorities, and advance Sicangu CDC's broader mission. About Siċaŋġu Co and the Siċaŋġu Community Development Corporation (Siċaŋġu CDC) Siċaŋġu Co is an Indigenous ecosystem of interconnected organizations and initiatives dedicated to creating a healthier, more prosperous future for the Siċaŋġu Lakota Oyate. Anchored in Lakota values and guided by principles of self-sufficiency and community empowerment, Siċaŋġu Co works to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the Rosebud Reservation. Grounded in Lakota ancestral and cultural wisdom and a deep understanding of the strengths, priorities, and challenges of the community, Siċaŋġu Co is working toward Wicozani — "the good way of life" — including holistic health, economic self-sufficiency, cultural revitalization, sustainable housing, food sovereignty, climate resilience, and shared prosperity. Siċaŋġu Community Development Corporation (Siċaŋġu CDC) is a nonprofit organization within the Siċaŋġu Co ecosystem focused on community development. CDC leads initiatives in food sovereignty, education, housing, and health while collaborating with other Siċaŋġu Co entities and community partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Initiative Strategy and Leadership

• Set the overall direction, priorities, and goals of the Sicangu Health Initiative in alignment with Sicangu CDC's mission and strategy.
• Create coherence across the Initiative's programs while ensuring each area of work remains responsive to its participants and community priorities.
• Translate broad priorities into clear plans, budgets, timelines, responsibilities, and measures of progress.
• Participate actively in CDC leadership, planning, and cross-initiative collaboration. Program Direction and Quality
• Guide the development, implementation, and continued improvement of programs across the Health Initiative portfolio.
• Work with program leaders to establish clear goals, approaches, work plans, and intended outcomes.
• Monitor progress, identify challenges or gaps, and support program leaders in making informed adjustments.
• Ensure programs are community-rooted, culturally grounded, well coordinated, and implemented with consistency and care. Staff Leadership and Development
• Supervise the Birth Initiative Coordinator, Health Coaching Manager, Food and Health Education Manager, and Youth Coordinator.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability while providing regular guidance, feedback, coaching, and problem-solving support.
• Support staff growth and create opportunities for team members to strengthen their leadership and professional skills.
• Build a healthy team culture grounded in trust, communication, collaboration, and shared responsibility. Community Relationships and Partnerships
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community members, program participants, families, cultural knowledge holders, and other people connected to the Initiative's work.
• Develop partnerships with Tribal programs, healthcare providers, schools, community organizations, and other partners that strengthen the Initiative's reach and effectiveness.
• Represent the Health Initiative in community, organizational, and partner settings.
• Ensure community perspectives and experiences meaningfully inform program direction and decision-making. Financial Sustainability and Accountability
• Develop and manage the Initiative's annual budget in coordination with program leaders, Finance, and the Executive Director.
• Monitor spending, staffing, contracts, and other resources to ensure they are aligned with program priorities and funding requirements.
• Partner with the Development team to identify funding priorities, inform proposals, and cultivate relationships with major donors and foundations.
• Lead the implementation, management, and reporting of grants supporting the Health Initiative.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to funders, organizational leadership, the Board, and other appropriate partners.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• At least two years of related experience in program leadership, community health, nonprofit management, or an equivalent role.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, developing, and supporting staff.
• Ability to lead a connected portfolio of programs, establish shared direction, and maintain accountability while recognizing that different areas of work may require different approaches.
• Ability to translate broad priorities into clear goals, work plans, budgets, timelines, and measures of progress.
• Experience managing program budgets, grants, contracts, or other organizational resources.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with community members, cultural knowledge holders, Tribal programs, organizational partners, funders, and staff.
• Strong organizational, communication, judgment, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to navigate ambiguity and manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively within Indigenous communities and across different cultural and professional settings.
• Commitment to Sicangu CDC's mission and to work grounded in wótakuye, community priorities, and the long-term wellbeing of the Sicangu Oyate. Preferred
• Bachelor's degree in public health, health administration, social work, community development, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Experience leading multiple programs or supervising program managers and coordinators.
• Experience working in community-based health and wellness, particularly within Indigenous or rural communities.
• Experience in one or more areas connected to the Initiative's portfolio, including Indigenous foodways, birth and maternal health, youth development, land-based programming, or health coaching.
• Experience developing grant proposals, managing significant grants, and building relationships with foundations or major donors.
• Knowledge of the Sicangu community, Lakota values and ways of life, and/or Lakota language.

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
• 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)
• Regular speaking, hearing, communication with others
• Ability to work evenings or weekends

Benefits:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) matching Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Siċaŋġu 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, Siċaŋġu Co applies an Indian Preference in employment. Qualified Native American candidates will be given preference in hiring.

Pay:

$70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person