Administrator, Native Self-Determination

Summary

The John

D. and Catherine T. Mac Arthur Foundation is one of the nation's largest independent foundations. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. Mac Arthur invests in solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well‑being of Native communities.

In addition to the Mac Arthur Fellows Program and the global 100 & Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India.

The Native Self-Determination portfolio centers the capacities of Native Nations and Indigenous communities to define and pursue their own priorities, elevating Indigenous knowledge, governance, and leadership. The portfolio invests in Native‑led organizations, tribal governments, and community‑based initiatives that build community and institutional capacity to support sustainable pathways to self‑determination. At the same time, it advances accountable, trust‑based relationships between philanthropy and Indigenous communities.

The Administrator is an integral and active part of the Native Self‑Determination Team’s Core Group, which includes active participation in meetings, seminars, site visits, etc. The Administrator works closely with the Coordinator to ensure smooth operations for the Team and reports to the Director, Native Self‑Determination.

This role is time‑limited for an initial period of 5 years with the possibility of extension.

While this role supports a portfolio focused on Native self‑determination, candidates are not expected to come with prior experience in this field. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds who are eager to learn, approach the work with humility, and support the priorities of tribal nations and communities with care and respect. If this role calls to you, we encourage you to apply.

• Prepare Grant and Administrative budgets, review budget forecast, and make adjustments throughout the year
• Budget scenario planning in preparation for program budget submission
• Assist the Director, Native Self‑Determination with the progress of grants, including proposals, briefs, and reports, and tracking through different grant‑making stages
• Liaise with grants management staff
• Interact with, provide guidance to, and respond to questions from grantees and others
• Schedule and coordinate expert consultations
• Manage contracts
• Participate in meetings and serve as recorder of critical tasks, discussions, and decisions
• Perform writing, proofreading, and editing assignments as needed
• Coordinate document and information management tasks that add value for the Team
• Manage the production of Board materials
• Liaise with other Teams and Departments as needed
• Liaise with Coordinator and Meeting Planners as needed to ensure efficient coordination of meetings and convenings
• Assist with orientation of new Team members
• Travel to site visits, meetings, conferences – domestic and international – as needed and approved by Director

• Manage special projects and workflow as requested
• Work with Coordinator to ensure smooth and efficient operation for Team
• Serve as back‑up to Coordinator and participate in cross‑training
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Minimum of six to ten years of relevant administrative experience
• A bachelor’s degree or related experience required
• Comfortable working in a team environment
• Able to take initiative and work proactively
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
• Excellent writing, editing, organizational, and verbal skills
• Able to effectively communicate in written and oral format with both internal and external contacts
• Facility in working with budgets and budgeting
• Organized and able to think and work…