Description

This position is located either in region (Bristol Bay) or Anchorage

Position Summary:

The Manager for Community Development Support will play a pivotal role in advancing infrastructure projects and opportunities across the Bristol Bay region. This position is designed to address the unique challenges of the region's decentralized structure, isolated small communities with diverse needs in infrastructure, energy, housing, transportation, and broadband. The Manager for Community Development Support will serve as a trusted connector, resource mobilizer, and advocate for Bristol Bay communities, ensuring meaningful engagement, collaboration, and execution of critical projects.

The successful candidate will lead efforts to develop, deploy and update the Bristol Bay Connect Project Database, a centralized repository for economic development projects and opportunities, while fostering relationships with communities, tribes, village corporations, and other entities. This role requires frequent travel to/within the region, with a special focus on engaging communities that are often underserved or less frequently visited.

Responsibilities
• Community Engagement and Relationship Building

o Build and maintain strong relationships with Bristol Bay communities, tribes, village corporations, and other regional entities.

o Lead meaningful direct engagement with communities, particularly those more challenging to visit.

o Assess community needs, identify key stakeholders, and eliminate obstacles to project execution by connecting resources and fostering collaboration.

o Serve as the primary point of contact for communities responding to unexpected emergencies (e.g., infrastructure, energy, fuel) and link them with external expertise and resources.
• Bristol Bay Connect Project Database - Development and Deployment

o Oversee the successful completion and deployment of the Bristol Bay Connect Project Database, ensuring it serves as a comprehensive, up-to-date resource for economic development projects and opportunities.

o Regularly update the Bristol Bay Connect Project Database with critical information about projects, funding opportunities, and regional priorities.
• Project Management and Resource Mobilization

o Leverage public grants and private sector resources to support the successful execution of infrastructure projects.

o Develop and implement processes to bring concepts or ideas from inception to funding and execution.

o Identify and engage third-party contractors to assist with infrastructure projects and regional priorities, as needed.

o Act as a trusted and reliable connector of resources (money, people, projects) to support the region's needs.
• Strategic Planning

o Facilitate dialogue and planning among Bristol Bay communities to share information, collaborate on projects, and build economies of scale.

o Drive collaboration among Bristol Bay partners to memorialize and prioritize regional infrastructure opportunities, creating a unified voice for the region when engaging with external stakeholders, including legislative and political figures.

o Identify interest in creating a crisis management and communications plan for Bristol Bay and connect resources to execute and test the plan if interest exists.
• Communication

o Facilitate meetings with community leaders and stakeholders to share project information, funding opportunities, and workforce development strategies.

o Make community presentations regarding planning, project design, and implementation.

o Communicate relevant changes in local, state, and federal policies that could impact in-region projects and opportunities.

Position Scope:

• Operate with autonomy and limited supervision, with significant impact on Bristol Bay's infrastructure and regional development priorities.
• Promote collaboration and teamwork across communities and stakeholders.
• Interact with people at all levels, including community leaders, contractors, and government officials.

Preferences/Skills/Abilities:

• Preference for candidates with a bachelor's degree in business, organizational management, or a related field
• Strong project management skills with the ability to develop actionable plans and execute them effectively.
• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster trust and collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the work of contractors and consultants, review project plans, and evaluate specifications, schedules, and budgets.
• Familiarity with state and federal financial and technical assistance resources, including grants.
• Task-oriented with the ability to set goals, monitor progress, and complete projects in challenging environments.
• Analytical skills to assess community needs and translate discussions into actionable plans.
• Willingness to travel frequently to/within rural Alaska and work in remote settings.

Requirements
• Expertise in rural project management, particularly in energy, transportation, housing, and broadband infrastructure.
• Significant familiarity and work experience in rural Alaska.
• Demonstrated ability to connect resources (people, funds, entities) to support rural projects.
• Experience working with third-party contractors.
• Commensurate educational or vocational background.