REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, MONTANA
Employer: NATIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems)
Location: Bozeman, MT
Reports To: COO
FLSA Status: Exempt (Full-Time)
Salary Range: $93,000 – $113,000 DOE
ABOUT NATIFS
North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), founded by James Beard Award winner The Sioux Chef, is dedicated to addressing the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways. We imagine a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises.
NATIFS has opened The Indigenous Food Lab in the Midtown Global Market on historic Lake Street in Minneapolis. The Indigenous Food Lab is a professional Indigenous kitchen and training center covering all aspects of food service, research and development, Indigenous food identification, gathering, cultivation, and preparation, and all components of starting and running a successful culinary business based around Native traditions and Indigenous foods.
Reclamation of ancestral education is a critical part of reversing the damage of colonialism and forced assimilation, and food is at the heart of this reclamation. NATIFS will drive sustainable economic empowerment and prosperity into tribal areas through a reimagined North American food system that also addresses the health impacts of injustice.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Regional Operations for the Indigenous Food Lab in Bozeman, MT is a senior leadership and entrepreneurial role responsible for launching and expanding NATIFS' presence in the Northern Plains and Rocky Mountain regions. As the founding regional lead, the Director's initial focus will be to establish the Indigenous Food Lab facility, grow a regional client and partner base, grow the team, lead event-based programming, and lay the foundation for Indigenous culinary support across the Montana region. This role requires a visionary leader with startup energy, a strategic mindset, and a deep commitment to Indigenous food systems and community self-determination. Our organization is centered on growth, both in our mission and for our employees. Opportunities for advancement in compensation will continue as the Food Lab expands its impact and operations.
The Director oversees region-based initiatives, building and managing a team, partnerships, and community engagement while aligning local programming with NATIFS' national strategy. This is a high-impact, growth-oriented position within a mission-driven organization, offering the opportunity to shape NATIFS' regional identity and drive long-term systems change. The Director is responsible for driving project outcomes and, as a self-motivated and highly organized leader, removes obstacles, aligns stakeholders, and maintains focus on timelines, budgets, and impact. This role is supported by the administrative and operational team in the flagship offices in Minnesota.
Highly preferred qualifications include prior nonprofit experience, direct engagement with Indigenous communities, and experience/expertise in Indigenous food systems.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Regional Leadership & Strategy: Serve as the functional lead of operations in the MT area, responsible for launching and expanding NATIFS' presence across the Northern Plains and Rocky Mountain regions, ensuring all regional operations align with NATIFS' national strategy and standards of excellence.
- Team Development & Management: Build and oversee a high-performing regional team, including hiring, onboarding, supervision, and professional development to support long-term organizational growth and impact.
- Program & Project Implementation: Design, implement, and manage regional initiatives — such as Indigenous food events, youth education, startup incubation, and research — ensuring successful implementation of timelines, budgets, and measurable outcomes. Track project/organizational milestones and evaluate implementation effectiveness of projects and programs.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Lead project scoping and planning while building strong relationships with tribal partners, Indigenous food producers, clients, and community allies; represent NATIFS in public forums, stakeholder meetings, and speaking engagements.
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with NATIFS' central operations team in Minnesota for integrated support across administration, finance, HR, and organizational development.
- Community-Driven Project Management: Create and manage project plans aligned with community needs, including charters, deliverables, communication structures, and evaluation tools for continuous improvement.
- Problem Solving & Adaptability: Proactively and collaboratively identify and address challenges, adjusting strategies as needed to ensure responsive, solutions-oriented delivery in dynamic environments.
- Fiscal Accountability: Oversee regional budgeting, financial reporting, and cost monitoring to ensure responsible stewardship of funds and compliance with grant and partner requirements.
- Communication & Transparency: Establish and maintain clear, consistent communication with internal teams, partners, and stakeholders; provide timely updates to NATIFS leadership and the Board of Directors, as needed.
- Mission Alignment & Flexibility: Support the broader mission of NATIFS through collaborative leadership, innovation, and willingness to take on evolving responsibilities as regional needs grow. Perform other duties as assigned to support the broader mission of NATIFS.
KEY COMPETENCIES & TRAITS
- Visionary and entrepreneurial leader with the ability to turn strategy into action in dynamic, startup environments
- Excellent communicator — both oral and written — with active listening skills and the ability to navigate diverse partnerships and coalitions
- Strategic thinker and effective problem-solver, capable of detail-oriented execution and independent decision-making
- Culturally grounded and community-oriented, with deep respect for Indigenous values, food systems, and traditional knowledge
- Collaborative team builder with a mentorship approach and a commitment to equity-based leadership
- Diplomatic and trusted relationship-builder across diverse tribal and non-tribal communities
- Self-motivated and proactive, with a strong sense of initiative and ownership
- Highly organized and efficient, able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain precision in fast-paced environments
- Adaptable and resilient under pressure, with the flexibility to adjust to evolving priorities and organizational needs
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- 10 years of professional and progressive leadership experience sufficient to lead a regional office, including:
- Meaningful knowledge and understanding of the 12 Federally-recognized Tribal Nations sharing land with Montana
- Knowledge and experience with project management and planning
- Shown success establishing and maintaining productive partnerships, particularly with Tribal governments and Tribal communities
- Bilingual or multilingual skills (Spanish and/or Indigenous languages) valued
- Experience collaborating with multiple and often remote departments, accepting feedback, and integrating diverse perspectives
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to remain composed and professional in high-pressure or stressful situations
- Demonstrated success in program development, project management, and cross-functional implementation — ideally in nonprofit, food systems, or community development settings
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing diverse, remote, and intergenerational teams, including mentoring and guiding professional development
- Exceptional organizational and planning abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple initiatives, timelines, and deliverables while meeting or exceeding expectations
- Proven ability to collaborate across departments, accept and integrate feedback, and navigate diverse perspectives with professionalism and cultural competency
- Highly skilled in both verbal and written communication, including the ability to translate complex ideas into actionable strategies
- Proficiency in budgeting, operations management, and grant reporting; familiarity with nonprofit governance and Indigenous-led organizational structures is preferred
- Strong relationship-building skills with experience engaging tribal governments, regional stakeholders, and community partners
- Knowledge of facility operations, food safety standards, or culinary programming is a plus
- Proficient in Google Workspace and modern digital collaboration tools; able to work independently and remotely as needed
- Willingness and ability to travel, including to rural and remote communities
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
- Actively model Indigenous values and NATIFS workplace culture
- Represent the organization with integrity and convey the NATIFS values in all public and community interactions
- Contribute ideas that enhance organizational strategy, funding, and sustainability
- Proactively take initiative when needed, contribute innovative ideas, and actively engage in the development of strategies, programs, and funding opportunities
- Attend and participate in relevant events and meetings
- Engage meaningfully with the NATIFS board and external partners, as appropriate
- Communicate clearly and consistently with internal teams, regularly and in a timely manner
BENEFITS
- 403(b) match: Employer contributes 3% of salary with a minimum 1% employee contribution
- Generous leave: Four weeks of PTO for full-time (or pro-rated for part-time), plus 12 paid holidays annually
ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, work at a computer, and lift up to 40 pounds
- Travel may be required, including car travel, depending on project needs, including occasional nights and weekends as required by project scope, and travel to Minneapolis several times a year to meet with the NATIFS team
- Written and verbal communication necessary
- Variable work schedule (occasional nights, weekends, and holiday work required) and regular attendance necessary
- Reasonable accommodation will be made upon request in compliance with applicable laws
TO APPLY OR INQUIRE
Submit your resume/CV and a cover letter to [email protected]. Use the subject line format: MT_(Last Name)_(First Name).
NATIFS will provide reasonable accommodation (e.g., a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) for the application process, upon request, as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please reach out to [email protected] for additional information.
Pay: $93,000.00 - $113,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bozeman, MT 59715
