Vice President, Land & Natural Resources

Description

SUMMARY:

The Vice President, Land and Natural Resources provides executive-level leadership for SNC’s land, natural resources, and development functions. This position is responsible for advancing SNC’s ANCSA land entitlement and conveyance priorities, overseeing land and natural resource management strategies, supporting responsible resource development, strengthening regional partnerships, and identifying development opportunities that create long-term value for SNC, its shareholders, and surrounding communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential duties and responsibilities listed below are representative of the work performed by this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Duties may be modified or assigned based on business needs.

Regarding land and natural resources, this Vice President position leads SNC land department activities, including matters related to SNC’s ANCSA land entitlement, land conveyances, permitting, access, land use, natural resources, and development opportunities. This position helps protect and advance SNC’s ANCSA land entitlement by working cooperatively with federal, state, tribal, municipal, and regional partners; supporting land transfers under ANCSA Sections 12 and 14; advancing SNC’s natural resource endowment; and supporting negotiation, administration, and compliance for major provisions of mineral, resource, land use, and other related agreements.

This Vice President position works closely with the CEO, Executive Team, Legal, Finance, Board committees, shareholders, and external partners to ensure land, natural resource, and development activities are aligned with corporate strategic priorities, applicable law, shareholder interests, cultural values, environmental stewardship, and long-term economic sustainability.

Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Land and Natural Resources functions, including annual work plans, budgets, resources, reporting, performance measures, and quality indicators.

Lead responsible land and natural resource development activities on SNC lands, ensuring opportunities are evaluated for legal, financial, environmental, cultural, operational, and shareholder impacts.

Identify, evaluate, and advance feasible land, resource, infrastructure, and economic development projects in the SNC region that support corporate strategy and long-term shareholder value.

Oversee rural economic development opportunities connected to SNC lands, natural resources, infrastructure, community priorities, local employment, shareholder opportunities, and regional partnerships.

Direct land use planning, permitting support, easements, access matters, leases, licenses, right-of-way requests, trespass issues, reclamation obligations, and other land management matters in coordination with Legal, Finance, and appropriate management.

Assist CEO in representing SNC in negotiations, consultations, public meetings, agency coordination, industry forums, and regional partnerships involving land, natural resources, development, and related corporate interests.

Monitor policies, proposed legislation and issues that affect SNC’s land and natural resources management.

Ensure representation for SNC at business, natural resource, environmental and trade events.

Assist in developing partnerships with organizations representing the Company as needed, including participation in Alaska Federation of Native, ANVCA and Nome and Bering Strait Region Centric meetings, other meetings, business presentations, SNC, region and/or sponsored events.

Assist with rural economic development efforts by supporting partnerships, projects, and community engagement activities that strengthen local employment, shareholder opportunities, regional business development, and sustainable economic growth in Nome and surrounding communities.

Other Duties:

· Participates in the Company’s disaster recovery planning process.

· Conform with and abide by all regulations, policies, work procedures, safety rules and instructions.

· Stay up-to-date on current events.

· Maintain strict confidentiality. 

· Commitment to Shareholder Hire preference. 

· Work as a “team-player” with employees and co-workers in a respectful and supportive manner.

· Work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position may supervise assigned employees and provides executive-level oversight, direction, and coordination for functions related to land, natural resources, development, community and governmental engagement, vendor coordination, contract administration, and other assigned areas. As a Vice President-level position, this role is accountable for strategic planning, operational execution, budget oversight, personnel coordination, risk management, reporting, and achievement of assigned corporate goals and initiatives.

This position is responsible and accountable to the CEO and works collaboratively with the Executive Team, Board and Board Committees, Legal, Finance, subsidiaries, vendors, consultants, agencies, and regional partners to carry out assigned responsibilities.

Requirements

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

· Firm understanding of the Corporation’s culture, finance, and outlook.

· Extensive communications knowledge; results oriented and productive.

· Knowledge and familiarity with SNC Shareholders and region.

· Knowledge of rural economic development principles, regional partnership building, and the unique opportunities and challenges facing rural Alaska communities.

· Extensive Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or Alaska Native History and current events.

· Sound knowledge of principles and practices of integrated land management to accurately predict impacts and outcomes of use on a wide variety of land and resource values and benefits (wildlife, soil, timber, water).

· Thorough knowledge/awareness of current and potential land management issues (e.g. endangered species).

· In-depth knowledge of reclamation practices and obligations to ensure land and resource benefits are maintained or enhanced while allowing use.

· Intermediate to advanced working knowledge of corporate public relations strategy, best practices, and networking; ability to perform related tasks. 

· Sound working knowledge of industry business practices regarding lands, including the oil and gas, tourism, recreation and sand and gravel industries.

· Considerable investigative, analytical and negotiation skills are required to effectively deal with a wide variety of industry clients, local and provincial government agencies and the public to ensure public land management objectives are adequately maintained while allowing use.

· Knowledge of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and ability to adhere to Alaska statutes related to land management.

· Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with and manage internal and external partners and vendors. 

· Intermediate technical and professional writing skills; ability to relay information clearly and informatively; edit work for spelling and grammar, and present numerical data effectively.

· Excellent negotiating, networking, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work with and engage management and others at all levels.

· Good balance of technical/task and people/team leadership skills and orientation. Strong relationship building skills.

· Ability to adhere to budgetary limits and deliver targeted results to specification at cost and on schedule.

· Strong organizational and time management skills and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

· Capacity to comfortably and effectively speak in front of large groups.

· Extensive experience working directly with Executive Team, Board of Directors, senior leadership from other organizations, and elected officials.

· Ability to stay calm and work under pressure and effectively handle multiple, concurrent demands, and appropriately prioritize responsibilities.

· Ability to manage conflict.

· Capability to successfully delegate, monitor, supervise, lead, coach, train, encourage, discipline and help staff who are direct reports.

· Expertise to read and interpret documents such as policies and procedures. 

· Data analysis skills with the ability to identify trends (target audience feedback) and facilitate action plans. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, find fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages and to formulate and interpret bar graphs. 

· Must have advanced Microsoft Office Suite software applications knowledge and skills, including experience with Power Point, Excel, Word, etc. Skill to type a minimum of 45 words per minute 

· Extensive experience engaging in social media.

· Strong knowledge of communication technologies including web, print, graphics and AV production.

· Ability to use good, well thought, rational judgement and make decisions. Excellent analytical skills; ability to identify and resolve problems timely, skillfully gather and analyze information, and develop alternative solutions as needed.

· Ability to contribute effectively working individually or as part of a team.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to effectively and professionally interact with others and use active listening skills.

· Able to prioritize and plan work activities; use time efficiently; plan for additional resources; set goals and objectives; develop realistic action plans. Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment; manage competing demands; change approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.

· Must be able to demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; identify ways to improve and promote quality and processes.

· Ability to observe safety and security procedures; determine appropriate action beyond guidelines; report potentially unsafe conditions; use equipment and materials properly.

· Capability to meet attendance requirements; ensure work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrive at meetings and appointments on time.

· Aptitude to participate in learning opportunities to stay current on best practices and new technology.

· Able to follow instructions, respond to direction; and be accountable for own actions.

· Capability to be innovative and generate suggestions/ideas. 

· Ability to participate in and facilitate group meetings.

· Ability to work a flexible schedule.

· Ability to work in an Alaska Native Corporation multi-company environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor's degree in business administration, rural development, natural resources, land management, planning, public administration, or a related discipline; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

· Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in land management, natural resources, rural development, economic development, project development, or a related field; supervisory and budget management experience required.

· Ability to travel. Must be available for weekend and evening activities, as needed.

· Knowledge, understanding and sensitivity to the Inupiaq culture.

· Fluency in Inupiaq, Yup’ik and/or St. Lawrence Island Yupik languages strongly preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment is primarily a professional office setting and may include community, shareholder, public relations, board, committee, and regional meetings or events. The employee must be able to manage changing priorities, meet deadlines, maintain confidentiality, and occasionally work evenings or weekends as business needs require.

 PREFERENCE STATEMENT:

Preference will be given to Sitnasuak Shareholders and their descendants and spouses, and to Shareholders of other corporations created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, in accordance with Title 43 U.S. Code 1626(g) and Title 42 U.S. Code 2003-2(i).

Additionally, the Company's policy is to select, place, train and promote the most qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude and experience, so as to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and without regard to non-work related factors such as race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status. When applicable, the Company’s policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, transfer, promotion, placement, layoff, compensation, termination, reduction in force and benefits.