Program Manager, Native Artist Professional Development (NAPD)

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

First Peoples Fund (FPF) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1995. Its mission is to honor and support the Collective Spirit® of First Peoples artists and culture bearers. Collective Spirit® is that which manifests a self-awareness and sense of responsibility to sustain the cultural fabric of a community. Collective Spirit moves each of us to stand up and make a difference, to pass on ancestral knowledge and simply extend a hand of generosity. First Peoples Fund recognizes the power of art and culture to bring about positive change in Native communities, beginning with individual artists and their families.

Through grants and awards, FPF provides Native artists, culture bearers, and cultural practitioners with monetary support, networks, financial services and training to flourish as entrepreneurs and community leaders. Through community and youth development programs, First Peoples Fund supports the work of artists and culture bearers to teach cultural and entrepreneurial practices, deepen artistic and cultural identity and increase their access to financial resources. All of our programs include the training and mentorship our partners need to be successful.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Manager, Native Artist Professional Development (NAPD) collaborates to grow the Indigenous Arts Ecology by building and maintaining partnerships with Native Community Financial Institutions (NCDFI) and arts and culture organizations, to host the Native Artist Professional Development (NAPD) trainings. 

The two-day in person NAPD training helps Native artists develop business strategies and succeed financially. The training curriculum covers entrepreneurship, business development, and community engagement for artists and culture bearers in all creative practices. Artists learn how to price their work, navigate arts markets and performing arts infrastructure, and create business plans.

The Program Manager will ensure the NAPD programs for Native Artists are delivered consistently with exceptional quality. The NAPD curriculum and training acknowledge the unique situation Native artists are in navigating traditional ways of being as well as working across cultural differences. First Peoples Fund’s curriculum includes the input of Culture Bearers and participants in FPF’s other artist-centered programs, to ground it with traditional knowledge, wisdom, and values

The Program Manager will be responsible for training and managing a small team of Business and Artist Trainers/Consultants who teach the program and implement it to partner organizations from various communities.

Pay: This is a full-time, exempt/salary position. The pay range is $60000 to $75000. Pay may vary depending on your location, skills, and experience.

Location/Travel Requirements: This position is remote or if you are in the Rapid City, SD area, the work will be onsite. Travel will be required for this position and the candidate must have a valid driver's license to do so.

Please note that this position is open to candidates in the following time zones: Mountain Time, Central Time, Eastern Time, and Pacific Time only.

Pre-screen: Upon offer, employees will be required to complete and pass a background check. 

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program:

• Responsible for oversight and improvement of the NAPD program, including all relationships, curriculum, trainings, communication, and systems.
• Responsible for collaborating with all staff to strategize, evaluate, analyze, and improve program design while building strong intersections and overlaps between departments and across programs.
• Responsible for entering data into client management software and tracking appropriate impact measures. 
• Work with Communications to manage marketing and communication tools, strategies, and systems including developing and implementing an outreach and marketing plan.
• Lead research and development for new ideas, direction, and strategy related to NAPD.
• Manage all reporting internally and externally in a systematic and timely manner ensuring program activities are consistent with any applicable funding requirements.
• Responsible for maintaining strong relationships with CDFIs, partners, trainers, and culture bearers, keeping their voice and leadership in the heart of design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Responsible for the systems, tools, and communication networks that maintain relationships with the culture bearers, promote leadership cultivation, and support community organizing.
• Work collaboratively with the FPF Program Managers for implementation of all products, services, systems, and relationships within IAE Partners including training, certifications, site visits, and leading community partners in community asset mapping, organizing and strengthening an Indigenous Arts Ecology.
• Facilitates technical assistance and contract management (including numerous consultants) to ensure smooth delivery of trainings within budgetary requirement
• Provide outreach and long-term, people-centered coaching to maintain strong relationships.
• Knowledgeable about FPF’s trainings and become a certified trainer with the ability to provide direct training and technical assistance when necessary.
• Serves as FPF’s liaison with Native artists utilizing community-based products and services (e.g., NCDFI, Native arts organizations, local chambers of commerce, etc.).
• Responsible for managing training consultants to deliver FPF’s trainings. 
• Perform follow-up calls to program partners after workshops, trainings, and other program-related events;
• Leads and manages consultants in the collection and provision of timely fiscal information, impact data, billing, and contract management for FPF in coordination with all its constituents and partners.
• Guide curriculum revisions in response to changing conditions in the Indigenous Arts Ecology

Organizational Support:

Specific responsibilities, but not limited to, include the following: 

• Participates in strategic planning, budget and proposal development, and other organizational activities.
• Responsible for regular reporting requirements as requested or required by the organization.
• Assist with organizing program and project meetings, workshops, conferences, and special events to advance program goals. 
• Adheres to all FPF policies. 
• Performs other duties as assigned

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in instructional design, education, public administration or related fields is strongly preferred.
• Five years experience, or comparable combination of education and experience providing organization and administrative support, preferably for nonprofit and/or Native corporations. 

• Background in community development, with exceptional skills in building and maintaining partnerships through collaboration.
• An understanding and awareness of the Native arts and culture field, as well as a broad knowledge of tribal communities and cultures across North America. 
• Knowledge of and interest in research relating to Native Art Business Models, non-Western teaching models, and experiential education
• Experience managing grant-funded programs.
• Experience and strong ability as an instructor/presenter 
• Proven track record of effective event coordination.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a busy, fast-paced environment;
• Attention to detail and ability to understand and create budgets;
• Excellent computer skills - Google Drive, MS Office Suite, project management software, and knowledge of Excel spreadsheets;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines consistently;
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team;
• Also, be able to work independently, take initiative and be self-motivated;
• Must be able to travel.
• No extraordinary physical requirements beyond the ability to travel. The job involves normal physical requirements for an office position.

BENEFITS:

First Peoples Fund is an eligible employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit https://studentaid.gov/pslf/ for more information if this applies to you.

First Peoples Fund is proud to offer the following benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision are provided to full time employees effective the 1st of the month after hire. These benefits are provided at no cost to the employee. Family coverage is available for cost.
• Sick Leave: 48 hours - available at date of hire and can use as earned
• 11 Paid Holidays with 1 Personal Culturally Significant Day
• Summer Fridays: half days on Fridays Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• Voluntary Benefits: Aflac benefits through payroll deductions

  • Short-Term Disability Insurance

  • Cancer Coverage

  • Hospital Coverage

  • Accident Coverage

  • Whole or Term Life Insurance

  • Critical Illness Coverage

After 180 day Introductory Period

• Annual Leave: 70 hours for first year of employment
• 401(k) with company match

First Peoples Fund does not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

First Peoples Fund participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. First Peoples Fund will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

First Peoples Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, status as a covered veteran, or other military status.

First Peoples Fund is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, First Peoples Fund will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Megan Brink, Director of Human Resources, at [email protected] or call the main office at (605)348-0324.