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Our Story > Executive Director

Executive Director

The Executive Director provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and organizational management for The Keya Foundation. This position is responsible for supporting the organization’s mission, overseeing day-to-day operations, and ensuring that programs, partnerships, financial responsibilities, and organizational priorities are carried out effectively.

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The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, comfortable using technology, able to communicate effectively with a variety of people, and capable of managing multiple projects, accounts, and responsibilities simultaneously. This position requires someone who can work independently, provide leadership to a small team, build and maintain relationships, and translate organizational goals, board-approved strategies, grant requirements, and community priorities into meaningful action.

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The Executive Director will contribute to the continued growth and sustainability of The Keya Foundation through organizational planning, grant and project management, fundraising, financial oversight, staff supervision, community engagement, and support of the organization’s programs and initiatives.

 

Position: Full Time

Location: Eagle Butte, South Dakota

Compensation: Competitive based on education and experience

Deadline: Open until filled

Who We Are

The Keya Foundation, Inc. is a community-rooted 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, serving communities throughout the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation. Guided by our motto, “Helping Others Help Themselves,” we work alongside community members, schools, tribal programs, organizations, and partners to strengthen the health, well-being, and capacity of our communities.

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Our work is centered around four focus areas: Youth Programs, Community Engagement, Food Security, and Environmental Justice. Across these areas, we support community-led solutions, create opportunities for youth and families, and bring partners and resources together to address priorities identified by the people we serve.

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At Keya, we believe in building with the community, not simply doing things for the community. We value relationships, cultural connection, collaboration, and creating opportunities for people to have a voice in the work that affects them. Our programs continue to grow and evolve in response to community needs, and we are looking for team members who share our commitment to meaningful, community-centered work.

 

Our team is small but mighty, and we are excited about trying new and fun things. We encourage respectful candor, authenticity, and balance on our team. We believe good work comes from people who can be themselves, speak honestly and respectfully, support one another, and know that meaningful work and a healthy life can coexist.

 

The Keya Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity and are free from all forms of harassment and discrimination.

About The Position

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions. The following list is not designed to comprise a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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The Executive Director is responsible for providing leadership and oversight across The Keya Foundation’s organizational operations, programs, partnerships, and administrative responsibilities. This position works closely with the Board of Directors, staff, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders to support the organization’s mission and long-term goals.

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The Executive Director should be comfortable moving between strategic planning, grant reporting, financial management, staff supervision, community engagement, and the day-to-day tasks necessary to keep a small nonprofit operating effectively.

Essential Job Functions

Organizational Leadership & Operations​

  • Provide overall leadership, direction, and management for The Keya Foundation in alignment with the organization’s mission, values, strategic priorities, and board-approved plans.

  • Oversee and support day-to-day organizational operations, ensuring that administrative, programmatic, and organizational responsibilities are completed accurately and on time.

  • Translate board-approved strategies, grant requirements, and community priorities into implementation plans, timelines, workflows, and actionable goals.

  • Develops and maintains organizational systems, procedures, and documentation to support efficient operations, accountability, compliance, and continuity.

  • Supports organizational planning, development, and long-term sustainability, including identifying operational needs and opportunities for improvement.

Grants, Projects & Fundraising

  • Leads the development, coordination, and management of organizational grants and projects, including funding applications, budgets, work plans, reporting requirements, deliverables, and project outcomes.

  • Identifies and pursues funding opportunities that align with The Keya Foundation’s mission, community priorities, and organizational capacity.

  • Coordinates with funders, project partners, and other stakeholders to support successful project implementation and maintain clear communication.

  • Oversees research, evaluation, and community-based initiatives, including data collection, documentation, reporting, and continuous quality improvement.

  • Supports fundraising activities, donor relationships, and other efforts to strengthen organizational resources and sustainability.

Financial Management & Administration

  • Oversees organizational budgeting, financial planning, expenditures, revenues, grant budgets, and general financial operations in accordance with board-approved policies and procedures.

  • Coordinates payroll processes and maintains accurate financial and administrative documentation.

  • Works with the Board of Directors, financial service providers, accountants, and other appropriate parties to support financial accountability, reporting, annual budgeting, and other financial requirements.

  • Provides financial updates, budget information, and recommendations to the Board of Directors to support organizational decision-making.

Staff Leadership & Board Governance

  • Supervises, supports, and provides guidance to organizational staff, including establishing expectations, coordinating workloads, and supporting professional development.

  • Fosters a positive, respectful, collaborative, and balanced work environment.

  • Works collaboratively with the Board of Directors to support organizational governance, strategic planning, and mission alignment.

  • Prepares organizational updates, financial information, grant reports, and other materials needed to support board decision-making.

  • Implements board-approved policies, strategies, and organizational priorities while communicating organizational needs, challenges, and recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Partnerships, Community Engagement & Communications

  • Builds and maintains positive working relationships with community members, tribal programs, schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, funders, universities, and other partners.

  • Represents The Keya Foundation at community events, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other public or professional settings.

  • Supports meaningful community engagement and ensures organizational activities reflect community priorities and needs.

  • Oversees organizational communications, including the website, social media, marketing materials, newsletters, media outreach, and other public information as needed.

  • Maintains accurate organizational filing systems, grant tracking systems, and key process documentation to support reporting, compliance, staff training, and emergency succession planning.

  • Other duties as assigned or required to meet organizational and program needs.

Qualifications

Skills & Abilities

  • Strong organizational, leadership, and project management skills.

  • Ability to manage multiple projects, accounts, deadlines, and responsibilities simultaneously.

  • Excellent time management, prioritization, and attention to detail.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to interact effectively with diverse groups of people.

  • Demonstrated ability to work independently while also leading and collaborating with a team.

  • Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.

  • Ability to communicate professionally with staff, board members, community partners, funders, and members of the public.

  • Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive organizational information appropriately.

  • Ability to develop, implement, and maintain organizational systems, processes, and documentation.

  • Ability to use technology to support organizational operations, communications, project management, and reporting.

  • Ability to learn and apply grant requirements, organizational policies, research protocols, and other applicable procedures.

  • Punctual, dependable, reliable, and accountable during work hours.

  • Willingness and desire to learn about health research, prevention, community wellness, and community-based initiatives.

  • Commitment to The Keya Foundation’s mission, values, and community-centered approach.

Education, Training, and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred. Relevant education, training, and professional experience may be considered.

  • Experience working in a nonprofit, community-based, Tribal, or related organizational setting preferred.

  • Experience in organizational leadership, administration, project management, grant management, or a related field preferred.

  • Experience with budgeting, financial oversight, payroll, or other organizational financial responsibilities preferred.

  • Experience supervising staff or coordinating teams preferred.

  • Experience working with grants, funders, reporting requirements, or compliance processes preferred.

  • Proficient working knowledge of office technologies, social media and marketing platforms, and virtual meeting tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

  • General knowledge of health, prevention, research, or community wellness preferred.

  • Experience working in or in relationship with Indigenous communities preferred.

  • Experience working in or in relationship with the communities and organizations on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation preferred.

  • Valid driver’s license and/or Tribal IDwith a clean driving record.

  • Ability to pass a background check is required.

  • Ability to pass routine drug and alcohol screening.

  • Ability to travel locally and occasionally regionally as needed for organizational activities, meetings, conferences, and events.

Typical Physical Requirements 

  • Repetitive motion of hands, fingers, wrists for 4 to 8 hours per day.

  • Computer screen use for up to 8 hours per day.

  • Communicating with others to exchange information.

  • Ability to attend meetings, community events, and organizational activities. 

  • Lift up to 50 lbs as needed for activities.

  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions. 

Compensation & Benefits

  • Pay is competitive based on education and experience

  • Full-time

  • Paid Time Off: After the introductory period of 6 months, staff may accrue up to 78 hours of PTO annually to be used for sick and vacation time.

  • Vacation Time: After the introductory period of 6 months, staff may accrue 40 hours of Vacation time annually (must be used in calendar year).

  • Paid Holidays: 11 Holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Native American Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day).

READY TO APPLY?

We encourage you to read through the entire job posting before applying. To apply, please submit the required application information, along with your resume and cover letter, using the button below.​​

​​If you would prefer a physical copy of the application, please contact us and we would be happy to provide one. 

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