Executive Director of The Heritage Center
Job description
Executive Director of the Heritage Center
Title: Executive Director of the Heritage Center
Supervisor: The President
Classification: Exempt
Job status:Full-time
Written by: EVP
Salary Range: $100,000 to $115,00
Mission
The mission of Red Cloud Indian School (RCIS), a Catholic Institution administered by the Jesuits and
the Lakota People, is to develop and grow as a vibrant Church, through an education of the mind and
spirit that promotes the values of the Lakota Culture. RCIS includes two elementary schools, a high
school, Heritage Center, and six parishes onIndian Reservation in SW South Dakota. By
integrating both Lakota culture and heritage with spiritual beliefs from the Lakota and Catholic
traditions, RCIS aims to educate both the mind and the heart of its students, creating leaders of
tomorrow with competence, conscience, and compassion.
Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud is conducting a nation-wide search for a dynamic, results-driven
Executive Director of The Heritage Center on thereservation in southwestern South
Dakota. The Heritage Center transforms communities by sharing art that inspires broader
perspectives, supports local and regional artists, while cultivating a compassionate future. The
Heritage Center serves the region through innovative programming and learning opportunities for
all ages.
This is a unique opportunity to serve as the lead officer of an institution that is poised for
tremendous growth, furthering Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud’s mission which aims to integrate the
Lakȟota and Catholic traditions and educate the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s leaders. The new
Executive Director will also lead the building of a state of the art building to house The Heritage
Center’s incredible collection. Construction begins summer 2023. All qualified applicants are
encouraged to apply by Monday, April 1, 2023. Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud is an Equal Opportunity
Employer.
About The Heritage Center at Red Cloud
The Heritage Center (THC) is one of the oldest cultural centers located on the homelands of the
Oglala Lakȟota inand houses a collection of more than 11,000 paintings, textiles,
pottery, sculpture and historical items. The Heritage Center also serves as an economic engine on
the reservation, supporting contemporary Lakȟota and Native American artists through exhibitions
and art shows, as well as a vibrant gift shop and online store.
THC began in 1969 as the Red Cloud Indian Art Show and eventually grew into a home for
cultivating and exhibiting fine arts, opening its doors in 1982. Still operating in the historic brick
school building, originally constructed in 1888 by the Lakȟota people and Jesuit priests and
brothers. Over 600 Lakȟota students attend 4 schools operated by Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud, and
more than 800 families are served through pastoral ministry programs across Pine Ridge.
Red Cloud is guided by an expansive strategic plan that outlines the framework for actively
promoting Lakȟota and Catholic spiritualities and practices through education, arts and ministry.
The marketing, programming and exhibition activities of The Heritage Center will be integral to
revitalizing and celebrating cultural identity, enriching our community of artists, students, visitors,
staff and local residents over the next 5 years and beyond.
To learn more about Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud and The Heritage Center, visit
www.redcloudschool.org
About the Position
The Executive Director (ED) is Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud’s primary ambassador and chief fundraiser
for The Heritage Center. The ED is responsible for the creation and implementation of strategic
plans, including the expansion and diversification of its development programs, emphasizing
membership, individual/major donors, planned giving, grant-writing, institutional partnerships,
sponsorships, and the success of special events with both financial and relationship management
goals. The ED holds significant internal and external relationship management responsibility,
representing The Heritage Center at community events and museum functions. The Executive
Director is a full-time, exempt position reporting directly to the President.
In concert with the President, the Executive Director serves as the Center’s chief spokesperson and
advocate, building partnerships and collaborations that strengthen relationships with diverse
communities and elevate the profile of the Center as well as awareness of the collection. A deep
understanding of Lakȟota history is required, as is the ability to think “big picture” and apply basic
business management skills to promote organizational growth.
Responsibilities and Duties
Vision, Strategic Planning and Programming (25%)
Provides overall artistic vision and leadership for The Heritage Center, ensuring the design
and delivery of high-quality, thoughtful programming that optimizes access to the collection
and leverages partnerships in the community.
- Develops and directs initiatives to honor and sustain Lakȟota culture and arts as specified in
- Promotes and strengthens economic development opportunities for Native artists.
- Ensures the continued stewardship of The Heritage Center’s collection and enhances it
through strategic acquisition and preservation efforts.
Infrastructure Development and General Management (25%)
Strengthens the infrastructure and systems, including facilities, security, information
technology, human resources, financial systems and collections management.
- Facilitates the development and management of a highly-skilled, cross-trained professional
schools, pastoral area and administration. Evaluates THC staff performance and recruits,
hires and trains staff as necessary.
- Oversees all financial aspects of the Heritage Center and works with administration to
is paid, and actively engage in ongoing financial analysis and planning.
- Ensures accurate record keeping of visitor traffic, volunteer hours and other business
- Utilizes customer service skills and conflict resolution techniques to encourage cooperation
members.
- Works in partnership with Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud leadership and the Advancement Office
to develop, implement and monitor a financial plan that identifies secured and projected
funding sources for capital needs as well as general operations.
- Works in partnership with Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud leadership and the Advancement Office
Advancement staff apprised of new programmatic developments, challenges and
opportunities.
- Works in partnership with Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud leadership and the Advancement Office
- Develops and implements systems for effective grants management, including relevant
- Explores and develops earned income strategies for the Heritage Center, and maximizes
Public Relations and Communications (20%)
Serves as a primary spokesperson for the Heritage Center, articulates its vision and
- Serves as a source and expert speaker/commentator for journalists and educators on topics
- Positions the Heritage Center as an exciting cultural institution locally, regionally and
nationally through active participation in peer learning groups, conferences, arts networks
and funding communities.
- Ensures a positive visitor experience that fosters understanding of and interest in Native
Board Relations and Governance (5%)
Attends Board meetings and serves as a liaison to The Heritage Center Committee of the
- Supports the Committee Chair in the development of an active, engaged and informed
- Help the Committee Chair and President to identify and cultivate prospective Board and
Committee members.
- Engage the Committee and the Red Cloud Board in essential strategic planning, policy
Qualifications
- A track record of engaging donors, community leaders, artists, curators, and educators.
- Thorough knowledge of Native art and culture, with a demonstrated understanding of and
- General knowledge of best practices in business accountability and nonprofit management,
- Working knowledge of the processes and procedures used in the operations of museums or
- Ability and/or strong willingness to actively raise philanthropic support for the Center.
- Demonstrated organizational and communications skills.
- Experience leading people and teams in delivering desired qualitative and quantitative
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 15% of the time, or as frequently as is required to
- Skilled in the application of technology to drive efficiency, revenue and reach, especially
- Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Education and Experience
- A Bachelor’s degree is required in museum studies, fine art, arts or business administration,
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in management, with demonstrated success in resource
generation and audience engagement.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
This position is based at The Heritage Center on the Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud campus on the Pine
Ridge reservation in southwestern South Dakota. The Executive Director will be required to work
occasional nights and weekends, and be on-call as lead officer of The Heritage Center.
- Ability to remain seated in a normal position for long periods of time.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time.
- Ability to move about.
- Ability to climb stairs and/or ladders.
- Ability to maintain balance while walking, standing, or crouching.
- Ability to stoop, kneel, and crouch.
- Ability to reach up and out with hands and arms.
- Ability to talk and hear; verbally express information or instructions.
- Ability to use hands to grasp objects, type, pick up objects, move objects, or hold objects.
- Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and carry a distance of 10 feet.
- Ability to push and/or pull up to 35 pounds a distance of 10 feet.
How to Apply
Send electronic copies of a cover letter, resume and at least 3 professional references to no later
than April 1, 2023 to
Brenda Bad Heart Bull, Executive Director of Human Resources
Maȟpíya Lúta | Red Cloud
100 Mission Drive
Pine Ridge,SD
brendabadheartbull@redcloudschool.org
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