Director, Alaska Native Language Center

IMDiversity; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The College of Indigenous Studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is seeking a Director for the Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC), a nationally recognized center dedicated to the documentation, preservation, and revitalization of Alaska Native languages. This is a pivotal leadership role for someone ready to shape the future of ANLC's research, archival, academic, and outreach initiatives.

The Director will provide strategic vision for the Center, aligning its work with UAF's broader

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field and five years progressively responsible experience.
• Experience directing research or outreach programs in academia or Indigenous initiatives.
• Strong grant-writing skills and ability to secure funding.

Responsibilities

• Secure and administer grant funding for ANLC initiatives.
• Supervise a small team of research and administrative staff.
• Build the infrastructure to grow ANLC's research capacity.
• Represent ANLC to funders, university leadership, Indigenous communities, and external partners.
• Provide strategic vision aligning ANLC with CIS and UA system goals.

Skills

Grant writing

Staff supervision

Strategic leadership

Community relations

Education

Master's degree in a relevant field

Job description

Director, Alaska Native Language Center
University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks, AK

Type: Full-Time
Category: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Services; Laboratory and Research

The College of Indigenous Studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is seeking a Director for the Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC), a nationally recognized center dedicated to the documentation, preservation, and revitalization of Alaska Native languages. This is a pivotal leadership role for someone ready to shape the future of ANLC's research, archival, academic, and outreach initiatives.

The Director will provide strategic vision for the Center, aligning its work with UAF's broader goals and the mission of the College of Indigenous Studies. Core responsibilities include securing and administering grant funding, supervising a team of research and administrative staff, and building the infrastructure needed to grow ANLC's capacity over time. The Director will also serve as a key advocate for the Center, representing its work to internal stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and external partners across the state and beyond.

The Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC) is a multi-faceted center within the College of Indigenous Studies, encompassing administrative, recharge, academic, and research functions in support of Alaska Native language documentation and revitalization. As Director, this position will lead ANLC's overall direction - overseeing its budget and staff, driving grant-funded initiatives, and partnering with the CIS Dean to expand the Center's research capacity, publications, and archival infrastructure. The role marks a shift from a faculty-held directorship to an administrative one, reflecting the Center's need for a leader focused squarely on grants, supervision, and the long-term growth of ANLC's programs.

Success in this role calls for a leader who can balance big-picture vision with hands-on management - someone comfortable writing and securing competitive grants, supervising a small but mission-driven team, and stewarding an operating budget. Strong candidates will bring genuine relationship-building skills across Indigenous, rural, and urban communities, along with the ability to represent ANLC persuasively to funders, university leadership, and the public. Experience with Alaska Native languages or language revitalization work, combined with a track record of turning strategic priorities into funded, sustained initiatives, will be key to thriving here.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in relevant field and five years progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska campus in Fairbanks. This is a regular full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 83, based on education and experience.

We review applications on a rolling basis. Because we may close the posting once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is established, we encourage early submission. Please note that once a viable pool is identified, further applications may not be reviewed.