Director of Tribal Initiatives & Collaborations

University of North Dakota; Grand Forks (ND); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Dakota seeks a strategic Director of Tribal Initiatives & Collaborations to lead relationships with Tribal Nations, foster research partnerships, and drive philanthropic investments that advance Indigenous education. The role reports to the AVP of Health Research and collaborates with senior leadership and tribal partners.

Responsibilities include policy development, stakeholder engagement, and coordination of sponsored activities while advancing UND’s mission and cultural

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field from an accredited institution.
• Must be willing to travel.
• Professional experience with North Dakota Tribal Communities.
• Experience with state and federal research or educational funding agencies.
• Experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders to advance objectives.
• Criminal background check required.

Responsibilities

• Lead UND tribal consultation policy development and implementation.
• Coordinate meetings with Tribal Nations and develop post-consultation reports.
• Develop university-wide tribal consultation training for new employees.
• Present policy goals to deans, chairs, and faculty researchers.
• Collaborate with marketing on highlighting tribal partnerships.
• Cultivate donor relations and fundraising aligned with tribal engagement goals.

Skills

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Policy explanation

Project leadership

Tribal knowledge

Diversity inclusion

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree (relevant field)

Job description

Director of Tribal Initiatives & Collaborations

• 499559
• Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
• VP Research & Economic Dev
• Hybrid
• Other
• Full-time Staff
• Closing on: Nov 11 2026

Salary/Position Classification

• $96,900+ Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): Yes
  • This position is required to work onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus two days a week, at minimum.

Purpose of Position

The Director advances UND’s values, mission, goals and objectives, and responsibilities as a higher education institution, by building and maintaining collaborative, mutual and trusting relationships with regional Tribal Nations. The Director of Tribal Initiatives & Collaborations advances UND’s mission, goals and objectives, and responsibilities as a higher education institution, by building reciprocal relationships with Tribal Nations while fostering collaborative research, educational partnerships, and philanthropic investments. The Director provides leadership in Tribal consultation, strategic partnership development, sponsored research, fundraising, and resource development that expands opportunities for Tribal communities, students, faculty, and the University. The Director reports to the AVP of Health Research and collaborates closely with the university President, Provost, VP Research & Economic Development, Tribal Nation leadership and Tribal Colleges, Corporate and Foundation partners, UND Marketing and Communications, UND Foundation and Federal and state funding agencies.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Implementation and UND Training for UND Consultation Policy
  • Assembling regional Tribal Nations on development and implementation of UND’s Tribal Consultation Policy
    • Work with Tribal representatives to coordinate communication and arrange meetings
  • Hold Consultation with Tribes
    • Develop a post Consultation report
    • Incorporate feedback into the UND Consultation policy
  • Develop a University wide Tribal Consultation training module for all new employees.
  • Implement Policy
    • Conduct multiple presentations with UND faculty and trainees to communicate the goals and procedures involved in policy adherence in the development and appreciation of cultural protocols.
  • Meet with UND Deans, Department Chairs, and faculty researchers, VPRED IRB and VPRED office to present in detail the UND Tribal Consultation Policy.
  • Work with VPRED IRB office to establish a “threshold” definition of what research would trigger the need for Consultation.
• Research & other Sponsored Activities
  • Track UND projects that involve Tribal Nations in a manner that is in keeping with the Tribal Consultation Policy and that allows UND leadership to maintain an understanding of UND-Tribal partnerships.
  • Collaborate with University Development, the UND Alumni Association, and academic leadership to strengthen philanthropic funding streams to further support Tribal partnerships, Indigenous student success, research, and community engagement. Work with AVP for Health Research to develop a Tribal Research portfolio that will increase awareness and progress of key research and other sponsored partnerships with Tribal Colleges and Tribal Nations.
  • Identify, cultivate, and steward prospective donors, including Tribal organizations, alumni, individuals, corporations, and private foundations interested in advancing indigenous education and research initiatives.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of fundraising strategies through grants, foundations and collaborative research partnerships that align with UND’s strategic priorities and Tribal engagement goals. Work with the UND research community and tribal partners to develop a database of active research and educational activities at UND that involve tribal partners. As appropriate, serve as a leader or team member of externally funded projects that involve Tribal Communities. Work with appropriate grant teams (including IDEA/EPSCoR) to develop, coordinate and communicate research and outreach activities to regional Tribal Communities.
  • Develop collate research reports and impact summaries demonstrating the outcomes of federal support, philanthropic investments and sponsored projects for federal partners, Tribal partners, and university leadership.
  • Meet with faculty and leadership across UND and develop strategies that increase the inclusion of Tribal communities in UND research while adhering to the UND Tribal Consultation Policy
    • Development of data sharing and biological specimen handling and storage agreements following the UND Consultation Policy that recognizes tribal data sovereignty
    • Coordination with Principle Investigators on research grant proposals that involve tribal partnerships to obtain Tribal Resolutions or agreements
    • Intellectual property agreements
  • Coordinate with UND Marketing and Communications on opportunities to highlight tribal college research efforts and partnerships with UND.
  • As appropriate, recruit AI/AN students to join the UND community.

Required Competencies

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to present information to stakeholders and lead meetings.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem‑solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to explain policy and technical issues
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, lead and execute studies, projects and/or programs and communicate results to senior leadership.
• Understanding of matters impacting Tribal, Native and Indigenous communities
• An understanding of the factors impacting the success of Native American and Indigenous faculty, staff, and students in higher education.
• Knowledge of and respect for Native American values and cultural competence, particularly related to American Indian culture.
• Travel requirements for this position are frequent.
• Commitment to and experience with diversity, inclusion and equity
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field from an accredited institution
• Must be willing to travel
• Professional experience working with North Dakota Tribal Communities
• Experience with state and federal research or educational funding agencies
• Experience in working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders in a complex organizational environment to advance strategies for achieving strategic organizational objectives.
• Experience building and maintaining positive relationships with community partners.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Experience in fundraising, nonprofit management, higher education, or advancement
• Successful grant writing and proposal development experience with a variety of funding agencies