The Thomas A. 1977 and Gina T. Russo 1977 Executive Director

The Thomas A. 1977 and Gina T. Russo 1977 Executive Director

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy

Position Details

Position Information

Posting date	09/11/2026
Closing date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Position Number	1129705
Position Title	The Thomas A. 1977 and Gina T. Russo 1977 Executive Director
Hiring Range Minimum	Please inquire.
Hiring Range Maximum	Please inquire.
Union Type	Not a Union Position
SEIU Level	Not an SEIU Position
FLSA Status	Exempt
Employment Category	Regular Full Time
Scheduled Months per Year	12
Scheduled Hours per Week	40
Schedule
Location of Position	Hanover, NH
Remote Work Eligibility?	Hybrid
Is this a term position?	No
If yes, length of term in months.	NA
Is this a grant funded position?	No
Position Purpose	The Executive Director of the Dartmouth Tribal Sovereignty Institute (DTSI) provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and comprehensive oversight for the Institute and its work to advance Tribal sovereignty, Indigenous governance, leadership development, and Nation-building. Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President, the Executive Director establishes the Institute’s strategic and organizational direction; builds and sustains meaningful relationships with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, and external partners; advances interdisciplinary scholarship and applied learning; and develops the resources and infrastructure necessary to support the Institute’s long-term success. The Executive Director serves as a principal bridge between Dartmouth and Indian Country, representing the College externally while ensuring that the perspectives, priorities, and opportunities of Tribal Nations inform the Institute’s work.
Description
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp	Masters or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities	Six years of relevant work experience. Demonstrated expertise in Tribal sovereignty, Indigenous governance, federal Indian law, or related fields. Extensive knowledge of Indian Country and the governmental relationships among Tribal Nations, states, and the federal government. Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, and Native leaders. Demonstrated success leading complex organizations, programs, partnerships, teams, or initiatives. Experience navigating Tribal government, higher education, government, philanthropy, nonprofit, public policy, and other complex institutional environments. Strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, financial management, and operational management skills. Exceptional communication, diplomacy, consensus-building, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of internal and external constituencies. Demonstrated ability to build coalitions and foster collaboration across organizations, communities, and sectors. Demonstrated record of advancing meaningful, community-centered outcomes through ethical engagement, accountability, reciprocity, and partnership. Experience in fundraising, advancement, stakeholder engagement, external relations, or related resource-development activities. Strong cultural fluency and political judgment in navigating complex relationships and environments. Entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing and advancing mission-driven initiatives. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications	Experience working within or in close partnership with higher education institutions. Deep familiarity with Indigenous scholarship, leadership development, or community-based research. Demonstrated success securing philanthropic or institutional support for mission-driven initiatives. Experience working or leading within higher education or shared governance environments. Strong understanding of the contemporary opportunities and challenges facing Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities. Established networks across philanthropy, government, media, civic institutions, or other sectors relevant to advancing the Institute’s work. Familiarity with Dartmouth College and its historical commitment to Native American and Indigenous education.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries	Hayden Lizotte
Department Contact Phone Number	[email protected]
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title	Jomysha Delgado Stephen, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Department Contact's Phone Number
Equal Opportunity Employer	Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.
Background Check	Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?	Preferred, but not required
Special Instructions to Applicants	Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions	Dartmouth College has retained an external firm, Isaacson Miller, to manage the search for the The Thomas A. 1977 and Gina T. Russo 1977 Executive Director position. For more information and to apply for this role, please click here to visit Isaacson Miller’s website.Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Hayden Lizotte at [email protected].
Quick Link	https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/87192

Key Accountabilities

Description

Strategic Leadership & Institute Development - Leads the continued development and growth of the Dartmouth Tribal Sovereignty Institute and establishes its long-term strategic direction. Defines and advances the Institute’s strategic priorities, organizational structure, and operating model in alignment with Dartmouth’s mission and institutional goals. Builds and oversees the governance structures, systems, processes, and organizational infrastructure necessary to support the Institute’s work and continued growth. Guides the integration, development, and expansion of the Tribal Leadership Academy and Tribal Services and Solutions Project. Develops frameworks and measures for assessing program effectiveness, institutional impact, and outcomes for Tribal and Indigenous communities. Leads strategies that advance the Institute’s goals across Dartmouth and fosters collaboration among schools, centers, departments, and academic programs. Promotes a culture of collaboration, accountability, reciprocity, ethical engagement, and mission-centered leadership.

Percentage Of Time

30

Description

Tribal, Community & External Relations - Builds, sustains, and deepens reciprocal relationships with Tribal Nations, Indigenous organizations, Native leaders, and Indigenous communities in the United States and globally. Serves as a senior representative of Dartmouth and the Institute in Indian Country, advancing meaningful, respectful, and mutually beneficial engagement with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities. Cultivates strategic partnerships across Tribal government, higher education, government, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, civic institutions, and other sectors. Serves as the Institute’s principal ambassador and advocate with external partners, advisors, donors, policymakers, and other key stakeholders. Shapes and communicates the Institute’s public identity, priorities, and impact and strengthens Dartmouth’s leadership in Tribal sovereignty, Indigenous governance, and Indigenous leadership.

Percentage Of Time

30

Description

Academic, Programmatic & Advancement Leadership - Promotes interdisciplinary scholarship and applied research related to Tribal sovereignty, Indigenous governance, federal Indian law, economic development, cultural preservation, community wellbeing, and related areas. Advances experiential learning and collaborative problem-solving that respond to priorities identified by Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities. Supports academic initiatives, student engagement, leadership development, and community-based learning opportunities. Fosters collaboration among Dartmouth faculty, students, researchers, Tribal partners, and other external collaborators. Partners closely with Dartmouth’s Office of Advancement to develop and execute fundraising strategies that support the Institute’s priorities and long-term sustainability. Cultivates relationships with donors, foundations, Tribal partners, funding agencies, and other potential supporters. Develops a sustainable financial model supported by current-use and endowed philanthropy and ensures responsible stewardship of philanthropic investments and institutional resources.

Percentage Of Time

25

Description

Operations & Organizational Management - Oversees the Institute’s administrative, operational, financial, and staffing functions. Develops and manages budgets and resources in alignment with the Institute’s strategic priorities and Dartmouth’s institutional goals. Recruits, leads, mentors, and supports staff and program leaders and establishes clear expectations for performance and accountability. Builds organizational capacity and supports the professional development and effectiveness of the Institute’s team. Establishes systems and processes that promote effective coordination, communication, accountability, and operational excellence. Ensures effective integration and coordination across the Institute’s strategic, academic, programmatic, financial, and operational work. Represents the Institute on institutional committees and strategic initiatives as appropriate.

Percentage Of Time

15

-

--	Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
--	Performs other duties as assigned.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you learn about this employment opportunity?
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   • [email protected] email outreach (includes Job Alert notifications, marketing emails from Talent Acquisition)
   • Recruiter (Please specify full name or event below)
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   • Chronicle of Higher Education
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   • Dartmouth’s Job Board (searchjobs.dartmouth.edu)
   • Other (Please specify below)
2. If you would like to add more information to your answer, please specify here:

   (Open Ended Question)

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Resume

Optional Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. Additional Document #1