*Red Cloud Indian School Position Description: *Director of The Heritage
Center



* Application Deadline: *June 16, 2014



Red Cloud Indian School (RCIS) is conducting a nation-wide search for a
dynamic, results-driven Director of The Heritage Center on the historic
Pine Ridge reservation in southwestern South Dakota. This is a unique
opportunity to serve as the lead officer of an institution that is poised
for tremendous growth, furthering the RCIS mission which aims to integrate
the Lakota and Catholic traditions and educate the hearts and minds of
tomorrow’s leaders.



All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by Monday, June 16, 2014.  Red
Cloud Indian School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.



*About The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School*



The Heritage Center is one of the oldest cultural centers located on an
Indian reservation in the United States, and houses an impressive
collection of more than 10,000 Native American and Lakota paintings,
textiles, pottery, sculpture and historical items.  Today, the Center hosts
between 9,000 and 11,000 visitors from around the world annually, and was
recently named as one of the top 10 “great places to honor American Indian
life” by *USA Today*.  The Heritage Center also serves as an economic
engine on the reservation, supporting contemporary Lakota and Native
American artists through renowned exhibitions and art shows, as well as a
vibrant gift shop and online store.



The Center began in 1969 as the Red Cloud Indian Art Show and eventually
grew into a home for cultivating and exhibiting fine arts, opening its
doors at Red Cloud Indian School in 1982.  The Center still operates in the
historic brick school building, originally constructed in 1888 by the
Lakota people and Jesuit priests and brothers.   Over 600 Lakota students
attend 3 schools operated by RCIS, and more than 800 families are served
through pastoral ministry programs across Pine Ridge.



The reservation is noted as one of the poorest places in the United States,
with unemployment rates hovering near 80% and per-capita income of less
than $6,500.  Death rates due to diabetes, suicide, drug and alcohol use,
obesity and heart disease occur in epidemic proportions on Pine Ridge.  In
spite of these challenges, RCIS student outcomes are impressive.  RCIS
students are 12% more likely to graduate from high school than their peers,
and the school has the highest number of the prestigious Bill and Melinda
Gates Millennium Scholarship recipients per capita in the country.



RCIS is guided by an expansive strategic plan that outlines the framework
for actively promoting Lakota and Catholic spiritualities and practices
through education, arts and ministry.  The marketing, programming and
exhibition activities of The Heritage Center will be integral to
revitalizing and celebrating cultural identity, enriching our community of
artists, students, visitors, staff and local residents over the next four
years and beyond.



To learn more about RCIS and The Heritage Center, visit
www.redcloudschool.org



*About the Position*



The Director is a full-time, exempt position reporting directly to the
Executive Vice President of RCIS.  The Director serves as the lead officer
of The Heritage Center and sits on the leadership team, working
collaboratively with Finance, Advancement, External Affairs and Education
department leads to oversee all aspects of operations and ensure long-term
growth.  The Director leads a professional staff of 4 full-time employees,
2 part-time employees and a small number of interns annually.



In concert with Red Cloud’s President and Executive Vice President, the
Director serves as the Center’s chief spokesperson and advocate, building
partnerships and collaborations that strengthen relationships with diverse
communities and elevate the profile of the Center as well as awareness of
the collection.



A deep appreciation of Native American and Lakota art is required, as is
the ability to think “big picture” and apply basic business management
skills to promote organizational growth.  A successful track record in
museum work, educational programming and fundraising is preferred.

Housing at the RCIS campus is available if needed.





*Responsibilities and Duties *

*Vision, Strategic Planning and Programming (25%)*

·      Provides overall artistic vision and leadership for The Heritage
Center, ensuring the design and delivery of high-quality, thoughtful
programming that optimizes access to the collection and leverages
partnerships in the community.

·      Develops and directs initiatives to honor and sustain Lakota culture
and arts as specified in the RCIS 2014-2018 Strategic Plan.

·      Promotes and strengthens economic development opportunities for
Native artists and vendors.

·      Ensures the continued stewardship of The Heritage Center’s
collection and enhances it through strategic acquisition and preservation
efforts.



*Infrastructure Development and General Management (25%)*

·      Strengthens the Center’s infrastructure and systems, including
facilities, security, information technology, human resources, financial
systems and collections management.

·      Facilitates the development and management of a highly-skilled,
cross-trained professional staff and inspires a spirit of collaboration and
cohesion among staff at the Center and RCIS generally.  Evaluates staff
performance and recruits, hires and trains staff as necessary.

·      Oversees all financial aspects of the Center and works with RCIS
administration to formulate and monitor budgets, manage and forecast cash
flow, ensure applicable sales tax is paid, and actively engage in ongoing
financial analysis and planning.

·      Ensures accurate record keeping of visitor traffic, volunteer hours
and other business monitoring and planning metrics.

·      Utilizes customer service skills and conflict resolution techniques
to encourage cooperation and maintain positive working relationships among
clients, vendors, staff and community members.



*Fundraising (25%)*

·      Works in partnership with RCIS leadership and the Advancement Office
to develop, implement and monitor a financial plan that identifies secured
and projected funding sources for capital needs as well as general
operations.

·      Works in partnership with RCIS leadership and the Advancement Office
to develop a strong case for philanthropic support for the Center and keeps
Advancement staff apprised of new programmatic developments, challenges and
opportunities.

·      Works in partnership with RCIS leadership and the Advancement Office
to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward foundation and individual
donors.

·      Develops and implements systems for effective grants management,
including relevant outcome evaluation measures, qualitative and
quantitative measures of success.

·      Explores and develops earned income strategies for the Center, and
maximizes revenue growth through the gift shop and online store.



*Public Relations and Communications (20%)*

·      Serves as a primary spokesperson for the Center, articulates its
vision and galvanizes internal and external stakeholders around that vision.

·      Serves as a source and expert speaker/commentator for journalists
and educators on topics related to Lakota art and the Center’s history and
programs.

·      Positions the Center as an exciting cultural institution locally,
regionally and nationally through active participation in peer learning
groups, conferences, arts networks and funding communities.

·      Ensures a positive visitor experience that fosters understanding of
and interest in Native artists and art, especially Lakota artists and their
communities.


*Board Relations and Governance (5%)*

·      Attends Board meetings and serves as a liason to The Heritage Center
Committee of the RCIS Board.

·      Supports the Committee Chair in the development of an active,
engaged and informed Committee.

·      Helps the Committee Chair and President to identify and cultivate
prospective Board and Committee members.

·      Engages the Committee and the RCIS Board in essential strategic
planning, policy development, goal-setting and oversight activities.





*Qualifications *

·      Thorough knowledge of Native art and culture, with a demonstrated
understanding of and respect for the diverse communities served and
represented by the Center.

·      General knowledge of best practices in business accountability and
nonprofit management, including finance, human resources, and information
technology.

·      Working knowledge of the processes and procedures used in the
operations of museums or other cultural settings, including curatorial
practices and marketing.

·      Ability and/or strong willingness to actively raise philanthropic
support for the Center.

·      Demonstrated organizational and communications skills.

·      Experience leading people and teams in delivering desired
qualitative and quantitative results.

·      Ability and willingness to travel up to 15% of the time, or as
frequently as is required to fulfill the responsibilities and duties listed
above.

·      Skilled in the application of technology to drive efficiency,
revenue and reach, especially point-of-sale software.

·      Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel and
PowerPoint.





*Education and Experience *

·      A Bachelor’s degree in art, arts or business administration, Native
American studies or a related field.  Master’s degree preferred.

·      Minimum of 5 years of experience in management, with demonstrated
success in resource generation and audience engagement.




*Working Conditions and Physical Requirements *This position is based at
The Heritage Center on the RCIS campus on the Pine Ridge reservation in
southwestern South Dakota.  The Director will be required to work
occasional nights and weekends, and be on-call as lead officer of The
Heritage Center.



Physical requirements include the following:

·      Ability to remain seated in a normal position for long periods of
time.

·      Ability to stand for long periods of time.

·      Ability to move about.

·      Ability to climb stairs and/or ladders.

·      Ability to maintain balance while walking, standing, or crouching.

·      Ability to stoop, kneel, and crouch.

·      Ability to reach up and out with hands and arms.

·      Ability to talk and hear; verbally express information or
instructions.

·      Ability to use hands to grasp objects, type, pick up objects, move
objects, or hold objects.

·      Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and carry a distance of 10 feet.

·      Ability to push and/or pull up to 35 pounds a distance of 10 feet.



*How to Apply*

Send electronic copies of a cover letter, resume and at least 3
professional references to [log in to unmask] no later
than Monday, June 16, 2014.






 Mary Maxon
Interim Director + Curator
The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School
100 Mission Dr
Pine Ridge, SD 57770
[log in to unmask]

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