Vice President, Programs and Member Services

Job Description

Job Description

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) is the collective spirit and unifying voice of our nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). AIHEC supports American Indian and Alaska Native higher education through dedicated research and programmatic initiatives designed to strengthen Native languages, cultures, and Tribal communities. By leveraging its unique position, AIHEC serves as a collaborative partner, providing essential services to member institutions and emerging TCUs. Additionally, AIHEC produces the Tribal College Journal (TCJ), a premier national publication sharing insights on American Indian education.

The Vice President for Programs and Member Services is a senior executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, integration, performance, and growth of AIHEC’s member-serving programs and institutional support services. The position provides executive oversight for AIHEC’s portfolio of sponsored programs, member services, institutional effectiveness initiatives, accreditation support, data and analytics activities, professional development programs, and other capacity-building efforts designed to strengthen TCUs. 

As a member of AIHEC’s Executive Leadership Team, the Vice President works closely with the President & CEO and other senior leaders to ensure that AIHEC’s programs and services operate as an integrated system that advances institutional success, responds to emerging member needs, and supports the long-term sustainability of Tribal higher education.

This position reports directly to the President & CEO.

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Integration

• Provide executive leadership for AIHEC’s member-facing programs, services, and institutional support initiatives.
• Develop and implement long-term strategies that strengthen TCUs and align with AIHEC’s strategic plan.
• Ensure coordination and integration among member services, sponsored programs, data initiatives, and institutional capacity building efforts.
• Identify emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges affecting Tribal higher education and recommended strategic responses.
• Serve as a key member of AIHEC’s Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organizational planning, budgeting, policy development, and resource allocation.
• Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Executive Oversight & Team Leadership

• Provide direct supervision and leadership to senior staff responsible for member services, sponsored programs, institutional support, and related initiatives.
• Foster collaboration among departments to ensure member institutions experience AIHEC services as coordinative and responsive rather than program specific.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures for departments, teams, and staff.
• Support professional growth, succession planning, and leadership development across teams.
• Build and support organizational systems that improve effectiveness, efficiency, and service delivery.

Strategic Partnerships and Communications

• Support the development of new funding opportunities, strategic partnerships, and innovative initiatives that expand resources and opportunities for AIHEC and the TCUs.
• Maintain strong relationships with TCU presidents, institutional leaders, federal agencies, foundations, Tribal Nations, and strategic partners to advance AIHEC’s mission and member priorities. 
• Represent AIHEC at national, regional, Tribal, and federal forums and serve as a senior organizational leader on matters related to institutional capacity building, student success, and Tribal higher education.
• Champion the strategic use of data across AIHEC, ensuring that institutional research, member data, program outcomes, evaluation efforts, and organizational performance measures are integrated to inform decision making, demonstrate impact, identify emerging needs, and strengthen support for TCUs.

• Education: Master’s Degree required in relevant field, including business administration, nonprofit management, communications, and public relations.
• Indian Country Experience: Must possess deep familiarity with Indian Country, including demonstrated experience working within reservation-based communities and a strong understanding of Tribal Nations and TCUs. 
• Communication: Highly skilled in professional oral and written communication, with the ability to explain complex issues to diverse stakeholders. 
• Technical Skills: Proficient in collaborative online work environments and tools.
• Professionalism: Commitment to ethical standards, detail-oriented project management, and a collaborative, team-oriented approach.

• Strategic Leadership & Organizational Integration:  Leads the development and execution of strategies that align programs, services, and organizational priorities to advance institutional and mission outcomes.
• Communication & Relationship Building: Builds trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders, including Tribal leaders, institutional partners, federal agencies, and internal teams.
• Analytical & Problem Solving: Interprets complex information, identifies trends and challenges, and develops strategic, data-informed solutions.
• Organizational Leadership & Team Development: Provides clear direction, fosters collaboration, and develops high-performing teams with strong accountability and shared goals.
• Operational Effectiveness & Accountability: Ensures programs and services are coordinated, efficient, and aligned with organizational standards, goals, and performance expectations.
• Cultural Competence: Demonstrates deep understanding of and respect for Tribal Nations, TCUs, and Indigenous communities, and integrates this perspective into leadership and decision-making.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate information and ideas, detect, determine, perceive, and observe details, particularly on a screen or on paper.
• Ability to spend more than half of the time viewing computer monitors.
• This position may require remaining in a stationary position 50% or more.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and in writing.
• Ability to travel independently and attend off-site meetings and events as required by business needs.

Job Location and Travel

• Job Location: Hybrid position based in Alexandria, VA.
• Travel up to 25% for meetings, conferences, and member engagement activities.

• $170,000-$185,000 per annum
• 401(k) with 6% matching
• Premium medical insurance for employees and dependents paid for by the organization.
• Dental, vision, life, accident, hospital indemnity, and disability insurances offered at low cost.
• Holidays and Paid Time Off.

AIHEC’s personnel policies, procedures, and practices prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, or sex. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require accommodation during the application process or in performing essential functions of the role, please contact Human Resources.