The Foraker Group

Job Summary

Job Description

The Deputy Director leads the operationalization of Spruce Root’s overall strategy and ensures effective programming, efficient operations, and well-being across the organization. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Deputy Director serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and is the person who turns shared vision into coordinated, day-to-day work. This is a role for a leader who understands the unique nuances of a remote work environment and finds meaning in building the systems, teams, and relationships that let others do their best work. The Deputy Director also serves as acting Executive Director when needed. 

Primary tasks and areas of responsibility 

• Lead annual action planning and goal setting across all programs
• Supervise and support Program Directors to ensure effective collaboration and alignment to achieve the organization’s mission
• Guide process enhancement for continuous excellence in program management
• Guide performance management standards and procedures that build a culture of accountability, learning, and care
• Lead major projects, processes, and initiatives that support the growth and strategic development of the organization
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director on strategy for operational improvements as well as projects that drive towards the organizational mission
• Ensure collective staff leadership development through organizational trainings, annual evaluation process and other timely initiatives
• Lead decision-making pertaining to the implementation and use of software across the organization and ensure proper use by staff
• Develop mission-aligned opportunities
• Develop, update and implement internal standard operating procedures
• Identify and support strategies to finance community and regional priorities 
• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organization-wide decisions and direction
• Supervise direct reports and manage their recruitment, training, and coaching
• Represent Spruce Root with partners, funders, and community members as needed
• Serve as acting Executive Director in the ED’s absence
• Other duties as assigned

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Understanding of the people, cultures, economies and lands of Southeast Alaska
• Ability to actively support Spruce Root’s commitment to Indigenous leadership, self-determination, and culturally grounded ways of working. 
• Ability to lead, plan, organize, control, and administer projects
• Ability to initiate and develop strategic plans and process improvements
• Ability to support, train, and grow productive team members, specifically at the Program Director level
• Ability to identify and bridge operational gaps
• Communication skills (written and oral) and ability to facilitate and speak in public settings
• Ability to work collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, external agencies, and philanthropic and impact investment partners 
• Knowledge of financial statements and GAAP standards
• Knowledge of grant writing and administration
• Ability to write and negotiate contracts and proposals to support programs
• Knowledge and skills in non-profit organizational management (preferred)
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced and dynamic environment

Required education and experience

• Education in public administration, business, finance, community development, economic development, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Experience in community development or mission-driven, non-profit capacity
• Experience leading highly collaborative projects and programs
• Experience developing organizations and teams

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license
• Satisfactory completion of a background check
• Satisfactory completion of a reference check

Working conditions:

• Standard 35-hour work week with occasional evening and weekend assignments
• The physical and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk, use hands to finger, handle objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; bending or crouching; talk or hear. The employee must be able to lift/carry and/or move up to 30 pounds safely. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions and other elements prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal. This job requires regular travel in commercial planes, AMHS ferries, float planes, and twin engine planes.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.