Director, Native Strategy

NeighborWorks as a Company and an Employer 

At NeighborWorks® America, our people are humble, passionate and creative. We lead with empathy, encourage curiosity and embrace ambiguity. For over 45 years, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., a national, nonpartisan nonprofit organization known as NeighborWorks America, has worked to make every community a place of opportunity. Our network includes nearly 250 organizations in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 

NeighborWorks America offers grant funding, peer exchange, technical assistance, evaluation tools and access to professional learning as the nation’s leading trainer of housing and community development professionals. NeighborWorks network organizations provide affordable homes, owned and rented, financial counseling and coaching, community building through resident engagement, and collaboration across health, employment and education. If our mission inspires you, read on to learn more about how you can support our work. 

Caring for communities starts with caring for our internal community, our staff. Picture yourself in a collaborative and diverse hybrid environment surrounded by colleagues who challenge, encourage and inspire you. This opportunity offers an impressive total rewards package that includes a 401(k) match of up to 12%, 11 paid holidays, generous leave (including 40 hours of paid volunteer time) and industry-leading benefits. Start your career with NeighborWorks America and take advantage of our Staff Training and Education Program (STEP), designed to support continued learning and professional development. Our benefits are designed to support staff holistically, enabling them to give their best in both work and life. 

We are a mission-based organization committed to fostering a high-performing culture guided by our core values: 

• We hold ourselves and each other accountable. 

• We act with integrity. 

• We lead with curiosity. 

• We pursue excellence with courage. 

• We respect, honor and celebrate each other. 

• We collaborate with purpose. 

Work at a Glance: Expanding the Native Partners Through Connection

Position Summary:

The Director, Native Strategy provides strategic leadership for NeighborWorks America’s Native Commitment, advancing equitable housing, community development, and economic opportunity in Native communities. This role oversees strategy, workplans, metrics, and budgets; represents NeighborWorks with tribes, federal agencies, and national partners; and serves as a subject‑matter expert and spokesperson on Native housing and community development. The position ensures organizational programs, policies, training, and investments are culturally responsive, inclusive of Native communities, and aligned with corporate and national initiative priorities.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Native Commitment Oversight

Provide strategic leadership for the NeighborWorks Native Commitment, working collaboratively with cross‑divisional partners, Akwe:kon members, and senior leaders to plan, implement, and advance strategies that meet Commitment and corporate goals.

Develop and oversee comprehensive workplans, performance metrics, and accountability frameworks to ensure effective execution and measurable outcomes.

Participate in and support the development and implementation of National Initiatives strategic priorities, ensuring meaningful and sustained inclusion of Native communities and people.

Program, Initiative, and Policy Advancement

Direct or co‑direct, in varying capacities, internal and external efforts to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate initiatives that promote equitable access to affordable housing, community development, and economic opportunities in Native communities.

Provide strategic guidance and recommendations to senior leaders across the corporation on opportunities to strengthen NeighborWorks programs, policies, communications, grantmaking, and investment strategies to be inclusive of Native people and communities.

Assess and identify opportunities to advance equity, inclusion, and impact within NeighborWorks initiatives affecting Native communities.

External Relations, Partnerships, and Representation

Represent NeighborWorks America with Native and non‑Native national and regional partners, tribes, federal agencies, funders, and other stakeholders to build and advance partnerships, programs, and investment in Native communities and people.

Serve as a lead spokesperson for NeighborWorks America on issues related to housing and community development in Native communities, presenting to external audiences and stakeholders.

Cultivate and leverage strategic relationships to expand visibility, influence, and resources supporting Native housing and community development priorities.

Network Engagement and Subject Matter Expertise

Provide guidance and subject‑matter expertise to the NeighborWorks network, including both Native and non‑Native organizations, by connecting network members to relevant tools, resources, strategies, and opportunities to increase their effectiveness and impact in Native communities.

Share knowledge of best practices, models, and emerging trends in Native housing and community development to strengthen network capacity.

Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building

Recommend and advise on the development of training curricula, technical assistance tools, and strategic partnerships within the Native Community Development track and other Training Division tracks to ensure offerings are culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of Native housing and community development professionals.

Contribute to the evaluation and continuous improvement of training and technical assistance efforts related to Native communities.

Organizational Learning, Cultural Competence, and Inclusion

Recommend and/or develop internal opportunities for staff to increase cultural competence, expand understanding of Tribal sovereignty, and strengthen organizational practices when working with Native communities.

Promote internal collaboration and learning to ensure NeighborWorks programs, investments, and operations reflect respect for Native cultures, governance, and community priorities.

Planning, Budget, and Resource Stewardship

Develop overall plans and manage program budgets in coordination with other divisions, ensuring plans are comprehensive, realistic, and aligned with corporate objectives.

Identify and pursue external resources and funding opportunities to support Native Commitment priorities and initiatives.

Fiscal Strategy, Resource Development, and Sustainability

Develops and manages program budgets for the Native Commitment in coordination with other divisions, ensuring fiscal integrity, realistic planning, and alignment with corporate objectives. Identifies, cultivates, and secures external resources, including grants, public funding, philanthropic support, and strategic investments, to sustain and expand initiatives supporting Native communities. Collaborates with internal and external partners, funders, and federal agencies to align funding strategies with program priorities and long-term impact goals. Provides strategic input on financial planning, funding opportunities, and return on investment related to Native housing and community development initiatives.

Thought Leadership and Knowledge Sharing

Produce and oversee the development of briefs, reports, presentations, and publications that document models, lessons learned, and best practices advancing equitable access to affordable housing, community development, and economic opportunity for Native people and communities.

Perform other job‑related duties as assigned in support of NeighborWorks America’s mission and strategic priorities.                                              

Nature of Work Contacts:
Interacts with a diverse group of internal staff and leadership, NeighborWorks network members, national Native and non-Native partners, federal agencies, consultants, funders, and other stakeholders from within and outside NeighborWorks America.

Fiscal Responsibilities:
Responsible for managing program budget in addition to identifying external resources to support this work.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

(a) Education: Bachelor's degree in urban planning, community development finance, nonprofit management, business administration, sociology, or other related fields. A graduate degree is preferred. Relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

(b) Experience:  At least eight (8) years relevant leadership experience in a complex business environment, as evidenced by an established record of achievement. Significant program and/or project management experience, from conception through implementation and evaluation, for economic and community development programs benefiting Native communities and people. Experience providing technical assistance and working with consultants and subject matter experts, using data to inform decisions, and communicating/presenting program and policy information. Experience developing and delivering approaches to build cultural competence and awareness of Native people and communities.

(c) Licenses, Certifications:  Not specified

(d) Competencies, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:  

• Knowledge of and specialized expertise in Native community and economic development issues, inclusive of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities and people. Knowledge of and respect for Tribal Sovereignty.


• Proven leadership skills that demonstrate a coalition building and collaborative approach, ability to motivate staff of all levels and influence positive outcomes aligned with organizational vision, values and goals.


• Demonstrated analytical, communication (written and oral), and interpersonal skills; proven success in relationship and consensus building among diverse stakeholders.


• Demonstrated ability to convey program, policy and research findings in array of accessible formats to reach a broad audience of stakeholders.


• Demonstrated organization and project management experience required, including ability to set measurable goals and timelines, identify priorities, and drive performance within an environment of shared accountability and across a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders-


• Demonstrated experience developing and supporting external partnerships, including setting joint goals and priorities-


• Experience developing and managing a technical assistance program, including the development of technical assistance tools and experience with facilitating peer learning programs.


• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including experience developing regular reports to keep stakeholders updated on program outcomes and experience as a public speaker.


• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including use of research and data analysis to improve program design and delivery.


• Accomplishments that reflect teamwork, integrity, effectiveness, and efficiency including demonstrated leadership, ability to influence and bring about consensus, and to work independently-


• Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others and successfully interact with people at all management and support levels, as well as people of diverse socio-economic

(e) NeighborWorks America Staff are expected to demonstrate excellence in the following:

• Sensitivity to racial, gender, sexual orientation and cultural differences


• Effective, respectful, and timely communications with internal and external stakeholders


• Listening effectively, seeks and accepts feedback


• Analytic, thoughtful and strategic thinking


• Considering the mission, objectives, and goals of NeighborWorks and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of her/his/their decisions and behavior on the organization

(f) Technology: Proficient use of Microsoft Office suite
 
Preferred Qualifications: Working Conditions:
(a) Travel:  Up to twenty percent (20%) is required
(b) Physical/Sensory Demands:  Extensive computer and video conferencing usage. Fast-paced work environment

Salary Range: $116,100-$120,000

The salary offered for the role will be based on a variety of factors, including geographic location, internal equity, and the candidate’s qualifications/professional experience. 

Special Provisions: N/A  

Requisition Close Date: June 5, 2026 

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is strictly prohibited as candidates seeking employment with NeighborWorks America engage in our interview process. Prohibited uses of AI include but are not limited to, drafting and submitting misleading resumes, using or referencing AI-produced answers during any portion of our interview process, or using an AI notetaking tool. Candidates are welcome to take notes, but using AI is not permitted. Prohibited use of AI during the interview process will result in immediate disqualification. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, NeighborWorks America will consider reasonable accommodations requested by candidates seeking employment with our organization.