Director of Tribal Partnerships and Strategic Growth
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Job Category: Salaried | Exempt | Full-Time
Base Salary: $115,000 per year
Variable Compensation: Approximately $15,000-$20,000/year in variable compensation, earned upon achievement of defined performance expectations
Job Site: Remote/Home office
Job Summary:
The Director of Tribal Partnerships and Strategic Growth is responsible for developing, strengthening, and managing strategic relationships with Tribal Nations, urban Indigenous organizations, Indian Health Service (IHS) programs, Tribal health departments, behavioral health programs, courts, and related referral partners across Colorado and Montana.
This position sits within Business Development and serves as a key bridge between outreach, partnership development, and admissions, ensuring culturally responsive relationship-building translates into increased access to treatment and seamless referral pathways for Native individuals, families, and communities.
The role combines strategic business development, community partnership cultivation, referral generation, and admissions coordination, with a focus on ethical growth, long-term trust, and mission alignment.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in healthcare administration, behavioral health, social work, public health, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 5 years in business development, healthcare partnerships, behavioral health outreach, Tribal relations, or related experience.
- Experience working with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, or Native-serving systems strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of behavioral health, substance use treatment, referral systems, and admissions processes preferred.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Demonstrated ability to build trust-based partnerships and manage strategic relationships.
- Strong communication, presentation, and relationship development skills.
- Ability to travel regularly throughout Colorado and Montana.
- Understanding of Tribal sovereignty and Indigenous health systems.
- Experience with IHS, Tribal 638 programs, Medicaid/funding pathways, and public-sector referral systems.
- Cultural humility and relationship-centered approach.
- Entrepreneurial, mission-driven growth mindset.
- Ability to move fluidly between external business development and internal operational coordination.
- Proficient with Google Workspace or related software.
- Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s EHR system.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Strategic Partnership Development
- Develop and maintain trusted relationships with Tribal Nations, Tribal health authorities, urban Indigenous organizations, IHS programs, Tribal courts, social service agencies, and other referral stakeholders.
- Identify and cultivate referral partnerships that increase access to treatment services.
- Represent the organization in Tribal, state, and regional meetings, conferences, and community events.
- Support development of memoranda of understanding (MOUs), service agreements, and partnership initiatives with Tribal entities.
- Serve as a liaison and ambassador for the organization within Indigenous communities.
Business Development and Growth
- Generate qualified referral opportunities and support growth strategies related to Native-serving partnerships.
- Develop outreach plans for Colorado and Montana markets, including account development and relationship management strategies.
- Track pipeline activity, referral trends, and partnership outcomes.
- Collaborate with leadership on growth opportunities, contracting opportunities, and market expansion related to Tribal and Indigenous partnerships.
Admissions Collaboration and Case Coordination
- Work closely with Admissions to support referral coordination, remove barriers to placement, and facilitate timely admissions for referred clients.
- Assist with navigation of funding pathways, authorizations, Tribal sponsorships, and related access issues.
- Participate in case consultation for Tribal referrals when needed to support continuity and responsiveness.
- Help ensure a warm handoff from external partner to admissions through intake and placement.
Internal Collaboration
- Partner with Admissions, Clinical Leadership, Operations, and Executive Leadership to align outreach with service delivery.
- Provide guidance on culturally responsive engagement practices and opportunities to strengthen services for Native clients.
- Support staff education regarding Tribal systems, referral pathways, and relationship stewardship.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Standing, sitting, bending, reaching.
- Must be able to see, hear, talk, read, write, type.
- Exposure to clinical and medical environments.
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
- Driving in all weather conditions.
Benefits & Perks:
Health and Wellness
- Medical, dental and vision insurance*
- Supplemental accident and hospital indemnity coverage*
- Voluntary Term Life insurance*
- Employee Assistance Program
- Monthly wellness reimbursement*
Financial
- Competitive salary
- Employee recognition and rewards programs
- Employee referral incentive program
- Employer-sponsored 401(k) plan
Work/Life Perks
- Professional growth and development
- Continuing education reimbursement
- Unlimited paid time off (exempt employees) + sick days
- Paid time off policy (non-exempt employees) + sick days
- Paid holidays (exempt) or ability to earn 1.5x base hourly rate (non-exempt)
*Full-time employees
This description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Accepting applications until 5pm on May 21, 2026.
