Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative - Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Organization: Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative (WRTBI)

Reports to: Executive Director

Location & Schedule: Kinnear / Wind River Reservation, Wyoming | Full-time, primarily on-site with some remote flexibility

Compensation: $90,000 – $100,000 annually

Benefits: Health, dental, vision and vacation leave

Who We Are:

Founded in 2024, Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative (WRTBI) is a growing Tribal nonprofit with an annual operating budget of approximately $1.5 million to $2 million. Working in partnership with Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho communities on the Wind River Reservation, WRTBI has expanded its programs, staff capacity, infrastructure, and partnerships to advance buffalo restoration, ecological conservation, Tribal sovereignty, and community well-being.

We are on a mission to restore conservation Buffalo through land rematriation, community revitalization, and youth education. Our vision is Buffalo living as wildlife, protected under Tribal law. Through land acquisition, buffalo management, scientific research, and community partnerships, WRTBI is building a meaningful model for Tribal-led restoration with national relevance.

Learn more at www.windriverbuffalo.org.

The COO is a newly created executive-level role reflecting WRTBI’s expanding programs, facilities, partnerships and team. This leader will serve as the Executive Director’s trusted operational partner, converting organizational vision into clear operating plans, measurable priorities and reliable daily execution.

We are seeking a grounded, decisive and relationship-centered leader who can provide consistent on-site direction, develop people, strengthen internal infrastructure and make sound day-to-day decisions while maintaining close alignment with the Executive Director. This is an opportunity to build the systems and culture that allow a rapidly growing Tribal nonprofit to thrive without losing the values and relationships at the heart of its work.

The ideal candidate brings strong operational and financial judgment, communication skills, openness to other perspectives, a willingness to learn and a commitment to Tribal-led conservation. They will bring experience working with Tribal governments, Native-led organizations or Tribal communities, or possess a background that provides an informed understanding of Tribal contexts. While learning the Wind River Reservation’s distinct history and governance, they should be comfortable navigating Tribal relationships from the outset. They will be a steady leader for staff and a thoughtful representative to partners and funders.

What You’ll Do:

Strategy, Organizational Integration & Operations

• Translate strategic priorities and the Executive Director’s vision into annual and longer-term operating plans, clear workstreams, measurable outcomes and key performance indicators (KPIs).
  

• Lead day-to-day organizational operations and cross-team coordination; set priorities, establish accountability, resolve obstacles and ensure effective execution across programs and functions.
  

• Establish clear communication routines, decision-making responsibilities, reporting practices and internal project-management systems that improve coordination and follow-through.
  

• Build firsthand knowledge of WRTBI’s buffalo restoration, scientific research, youth engagement, land stewardship and community programs to make informed operational decisions and represent the organization when appropriate.
  

People Leadership, HR & Organizational Culture

• Provide consistent, hands-on supervision, coaching and support to staff and functional leaders; clarify roles, reporting relationships, expectations and performance standards.
  

• Strengthen team morale, communication and retention through feedback, professional development, mentorship, conflict resolution and constructive accountability.
  

• Develop and implement culturally aligned personnel policies, an employee handbook, performance evaluation processes and other practical human resources systems.
  

• Lead thoughtfully through growth and change, building an inclusive, respectful workplace grounded in WRTBI’s values and commitment to community.
  

Finance, Administration & Facilities

• Oversee budgeting, financial tracking, administrative operations and management reporting in partnership with the Associate Director and appropriate financial partners.
  

• Coordinate annual budget development, resource allocation, financial controls, reporting and reconciliations, ensuring sound stewardship of organizational resources.
  

• Partner with site and operations leadership on facilities staffing, budgets, upkeep, visitor needs, infrastructure improvements and project priorities.
  

• Build reliable systems for planning, record-keeping, contracts, project tracking and organizational administration as WRTBI continues to expand.
  

Board and External Relationships

• Support the Executive Director and Board of Directors through meeting coordination, agenda development, concise progress reporting, staff input and follow-through on governance priorities.
  

• Partner with the Executive Director to manage tracking and reporting of grant deliverables and donor impact; support a strong overall WRTBI culture of philanthropy.
  

• Develop trusted relationships with Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribal governments and leaders, community members, partner organizations, funders, academic visitors and other stakeholders; coordinate communication and shared projects across WRTBI’s broad network of organizational partners.
  

• Help organize on-site visits, tours, education partnerships and external meetings; communicate WRTBI’s work clearly and respectfully with diverse audiences.
  

Strategic Troubleshooting & Organizational Growth

• Anticipate operational challenges, address emerging staff and systems needs and bring practical solutions to the Executive Director and team.
  

• Manage organizational change with sound judgment, discretion and political and cultural sensitivity, balancing immediate operational demands with long-term institutional capacity.
  

Immediate Priorities (First 6–12 Months):

• First 90 days: Build trusted relationships with staff, Tribal leadership, board members, community partners and the Executive Director; understand programs, governance and organizational priorities.
  

• Leadership alignment: Establish an effective communication cadence and clear expectations for decision making, staff supervision and day-to-day operational authority.
  

• People and culture: Assess team structure, morale, retention risks, professional development needs and opportunities to improve internal collaboration.
  

• HR and operating infrastructure: Advance a practical employee handbook, culturally aligned policies, performance evaluations, operating plans and accountability systems.
  

• Financial and board readiness: Strengthen budget oversight and reporting; participate in board activities and develop consistent processes for tracking priorities, progress and decisions.
  

What Success Looks Like:

• The Executive Director can focus more consistently on external leadership, partnerships, philanthropy and strategy because daily operations are led reliably and independently.
  

• Staff feel supported, informed and accountable; reporting relationships and expectations are clear, and team culture and retention are strengthened.
  

• WRTBI uses actionable operating plans, meaningful KPIs and practical HR, financial and administrative systems to guide decisions and growth.
  

• Board members and funders receive accurate, useful information and see strong organizational follow through.
  

• WRTBI’s relationships with Tribal leaders, community members and collaborators remain rooted in mutual respect, trust and the mission of buffalo restoration.
  

Who You Are:

Must-Have Experience & Skills

• Proven success leading day-to-day operations and supervising people, including coaching, conflict resolution, performance management and team development.
  

• Experience creating or strengthening organizational infrastructure, including budgets, administrative processes, HR policies and internal operating systems.
  

• Excellent written and verbal communication, sound judgment, discretion and an ability to make decisions independently while partnering closely with executive leadership.
  

• Demonstrated relationship-building ability, openness to other perspectives and willingness to learn when working across diverse stakeholder groups and sensitive community or governance contexts.
  

• Ability to work primarily on-site in the Wind River Reservation area and to travel locally, regionally and occasionally nationally.
  

• Working proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and common office tools; ability to develop clear written communications, reports and project materials.
  

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Experience in conservation, environmental stewardship, wildlife or ecological restoration, land management or related work; a strong appreciation for the mission of buffalo restoration.
  

• Experience working with Tribal governments, Native-led organizations or Indigenous communities or meaningful familiarity with a Tribal governance and community context is especially valued.
  

• Leadership in nonprofit, conservation, community-based or other mission-driven organizations, particularly during growth or organizational change; experience navigating multi-organization partner coalitions, managing communications across diverse partners, and coordinating shared projects and priorities.
  

• Experience supporting philanthropic relationships, donor stewardship, funder communications or grant related programs and reporting.
  

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; relevant experience and demonstrated leadership capabilities will be considered.
  

Leadership & Mindset

• Grounded, respectful and approachable; builds trust with staff and community before imposing solutions.
  

• Comfortable moving between strategic planning and the hands-on work of running a small, dynamic organization.
  

• Organized and accountable; able to maintain priorities, make timely decisions and lead through ambiguity.
  

• Demonstrates openness to different perspectives, a willingness to learn, and a strong commitment to conservation, community partnership and WRTBI’s long-term success.
  

Location, Schedule & Benefits:

This full-time position is based primarily on-site at WRTBI in the Kinnear / Wind River Reservation area of Wyoming, with some remote work flexibility. The typical workweek is approximately 40 hours, generally during 8 a.m – 5 p.m. business hours, with occasional evening and weekend commitments. Local and regional travel, along with occasional national trips, is expected. Relocation assistance may be considered.

The annual compensation target is $90,000 - $100,000.

Current benefits include health, dental and vision coverage and vacation leave.

What Makes This Role Exciting:

This is a rare opportunity to shape the next chapter of a growing, Tribal-led nonprofit doing nationally relevant work. The COO will help connect ambitious conservation and cultural goals to the everyday systems, relationships and staff support that make lasting impact possible. Working closely with the Executive Director and established organizational partners, you will get the support and collaboration needed to strengthen WRTBI’s infrastructure and build sustainable operational systems. You will be a steady leader for the team and a contributor to a restoration effort rooted in land, community and future generations.

How to Apply: