GLT - Executive Affairs Manager

Job Title: Executive Affairs Manager

Department: Tribal Council

Reports to: Tribal Chairman and Tribal Council

Location: Administration Building

Level/Status: Exempt Full-Time

Salary: $74,388-$95,626-$123,437

SUMMARY

The Executive Affairs Manager serves as the senior administrative and operational leader for the Tribal Council Office. This highly visible position functions as a strategic partner to the seven-member Tribal Council, ensuring the effective coordination of governance activities, executive operations, communications, projects, and administrative services.

The Executive Affairs Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the Tribal Council Office while managing multiple priorities, complex schedules, governance processes, strategic initiatives, and relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This position serves as the primary point of coordination between Tribal Council, executive leadership, Tribal departments, Tribal Citizens, legal counsel, government officials, consultants, and business partners.

The successful candidate must possess exceptional organizational agility, advanced technical capabilities, executive presence, sound judgment, political acumen, and the ability to support seven elected officials with competing priorities in a fast-paced and confidential environment. The Executive Affairs Manager is expected to anticipate needs, solve problems proactively, streamline processes, and help ensure Tribal Council can effectively govern and advance strategic priorities.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Forms, Planner, and Power Automate.
• Advanced presentation development and executive reporting skills.
• Experience utilizing project management, document management, and digital collaboration platforms.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to create executive dashboards, reports, and tracking systems.
• Ability to leverage technology to improve office efficiency, communication, workflow management, and information sharing.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to the following:

Executive Affairs Leadership

• Lead and manage the daily operations of the Tribal Council Office.
• Establish, implement, and continuously improve office systems, administrative processes, governance workflows, and operational best practices.
• Serve as the central coordination point for Tribal Council activities, priorities, and communications.
• Ensure seamless administrative support for all seven Tribal Council Members.
• Anticipate operational and administrative needs and proactively develop solutions.

Governance Administration

• Administer governance processes supporting Tribal Council meetings, committees, work sessions, strategic planning sessions, public meetings, and annual membership meetings.
• Coordinate agendas, meeting materials, resolutions, ordinances, policy reviews, voting records, and official documentation.
• Maintain official Tribal Council records and ensure compliance with records retention requirements.
• Prepare governance reports, executive summaries, briefing documents, and action item tracking reports.
• Monitor Council directives and ensure assignments are communicated, tracked, and completed.

Strategic Project Management

• Coordinate high-priority projects and initiatives on behalf of Tribal Council.
• Develop project timelines, work plans, and implementation schedules.
• Monitor project progress and prepare status reports for Tribal Council review.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of organizational priorities.
• Identify risks, issues, and opportunities requiring Tribal Council awareness or action.

Executive Support

• Manage complex schedules, competing priorities, and executive calendars for seven Tribal Council Members.
• Serve as gatekeeper and priority manager for incoming requests, correspondence, and issues.
• Coordinate travel, conferences, governmental meetings, and special events.
• Prepare presentations, speeches, talking points, briefing materials, and executive correspondence.
• Conduct research and compile information to support informed decision-making.

Communications & Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as a liaison between Tribal Council, executive leadership, Tribal Citizens, governmental organizations, consultants, legal counsel, vendors, and community partners.
• Draft and review professional correspondence, announcements, reports, policies, and public communications.
• Assist with stakeholder engagement initiatives and public-facing communications.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among leadership teams and departments.
• Office Administration & Resource Management
• Assist with Tribal Council budget administration, expense tracking, purchasing, and vendor coordination.
• Coordinate contracts, agreements, and professional service engagements on behalf of Tribal Council.
• Oversee records management systems and office technology resources.
• Monitor office efficiency and recommend operational improvements.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

The Executive Affairs Manager will demonstrate:

Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand organizational priorities and align support activities to Tribal Council goals.

Organizational Agility: Successfully manages multiple priorities and the competing needs of seven elected leaders while maintaining exceptional service and accuracy.

Technology Leadership: Uses advanced technology and digital tools to improve workflows, communication, transparency, and efficiency.

Political Acumen: Understands governance structures, stakeholder interests, and organizational dynamics while maintaining neutrality and professionalism.

Relationship Management: Builds productive relationships across all levels of the organization and within external partnerships.

Project Management Excellence: Plans, coordinates, tracks, and drives initiatives to successful completion.

Confidentiality and Integrity: Exercises sound judgment and maintains the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical conduct.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage numerous tasks and interruptions without losing focus or accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships at all organizational levels.
• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to work occasionally evening, weekends, and special occasions as needed.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must possess the ability to work in a fast-paced multi-tasking environment, sitting for long periods of time, bending, lifting, and reaching
• May require non-traditional hours including working evenings, weekends and holidays as required to meet deadlines
• Ability and willingness to travel, locally and out of state, for meetings and continuing education

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Individual may be required to supervise administrative staff and internship personnel as assigned. This position may act on behalf of Council in the performance of ministerial functions from time to time.

• Responsible for supervision and related duties of assigned support staff

Coordinate duties and assignments of support staff and ensure appropriate coverage for the Council offices

SECURITY SENSITIVE

This position will have access to information that is high level security sensitive and thereby subject to additional provisions and background check.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this job. These statements should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate their US work authorization during the employment verification process. The pre-employment process also requires the ability to pass a criminal background investigation and drug/alcohol test.

INDIAN PREFERENCE

The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi recognizes Native American preference in its hiring and employment policies.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Communications, Political Science, or a related field preferred. Associate Degree with significant relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible executive support, executive operations, office management, governance administration, project management, or related experience.
• Minimum three (3) years supporting executive leadership, boards, governmental officials, Tribal leadership, or elected officials.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple executives or stakeholders simultaneously.
• Experience coordinating strategic initiatives, governance activities, and complex organizational projects.
• Experience managing highly confidential, politically sensitive, financial, legal, or personnel-related information.