Location: Remote; Western US required, California or Oregon preferredReports to: Managing Director of Government RelationsSalary: $128,000 - $150,000Travel: Up to 25%Priority Application Date: July 19, 2026Preferred Start Date: September 21, 2026Employment Status: Full-Time, ExemptAbout Blue Forest Blue Forest is a conservation finance non-profit founded in 2015 that is focused on advancing ecosystem restoration through scientific research, financial innovation, and collaborative partnerships. Since 2018, Blue Forest has managed investor capital through its flagship financial product, the Forest Resilience Bond (FRB), which deploys private capital to finance forest restoration projects to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. More recently, Blue Forest has also established Blue Forest Asset Management (BFAM), an investment management platform connecting investors to compelling, mission-aligned opportunities in a broader set of asset classes beyond FRB projects, such as private equity and private credit investments.Blue Forest is made up of an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, foresters, finance, and communications professionals committed to the mission: “To accelerate ecological restoration through conservation finance, enabling climate resilience for ecosystems and communities.” Employees at Blue Forest are: Committed to Continuous LearningDriven by CollaborationThoughtful Innovators for ImpactGrounded in SciencePassionate about Restoring Earth’s EcosystemsPosition SummaryAs an organization supporting the restoration of ceded and unceded Indigenous lands across the West, we affirm and recognize Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. Through our Indigenous Partnerships Program, we aim to build meaningful relationships with Native Nations and Indigenous communities, and increase financial resources for Indigenous-led ecosystem stewardship.Reporting to the Managing Director of Government Relations, the Director of Indigenous Partnerships will lead the strategic vision and institutional development of Blue Forest's Indigenous Partnerships (IP) program, ensuring its long-term durability and integration across the organization. This role is responsible for setting department direction, managing IP staff and budget, leading funder relationships, and enabling meaningful and positive partnerships through organizational trainings and processes.The Director will serve as Blue Forest's primary external leader on Indigenous partnerships, representing the organization in coalitions, government relationships, and public forums, including as a spokesperson on Tribal lending across Blue Forest’s portfolio. This role works closely with Blue Forest leadership, the fundraising team, and cross-functional teams to align the IP program with organizational strategy and ensure it can sustain and grow through structural changes.Responsibilities & DutiesProgram Leadership & Strategy (40%)Set and communicate the department vision in alignment with Blue Forest leadershipOversee department Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and drive accountability across IP workstreamsInstitutionalize IP program processes, knowledge, and frameworks to ensure continuity across departments and staffKeep Blue Forest informed on relevant Tribal policy developments, legislative updates, and newsDevelop internal trainings to deepen organizational capacity for meaningful Tribal engagementIdentify new opportunities and develop a strategy alongside Blue Forest leadership to support Tribal stewardship goals through conservation financeExternal Leadership & Relationship Management (30%)Serve as an external spokesperson and thought leader on Indigenous partnerships, with a focus on Tribal lending across Blue Forest’s portfolioMaintain and grow relationships with federal and state government Tribal affairs partnersBuild coalitions with Native and Native-serving nonprofits to advance shared goalsSupport board development and engagement related to Indigenous partnershipsOperations & Cross-Functional Collaboration (30%)Manage the Indigenous Partnerships team, including hiring, planning, and professional developmentLead funder relationships and serve as the primary point of contact for Indigenous Partnerships funding opportunities, partnering with the fundraising team to develop and execute a sustainable funding strategy.Lead budget planning and resource allocation for the departmentManage collaboration processes and handoffs across teams to ensure IP is integrated into project development, the science team’s research and development, investment decisions, and other workstreamsLead program impact reporting for the annual impact report and required grant reportingPartner with the communications team to maintain or improve external messaging about the Indigenous partnerships program on Blue Forest’s website, impact report, and other communications materialsSupport the project development team with Tribal engagement on specific FRB projects as neededDesired Skills and QualificationsTribal engagement – 5+ years working with Tribal Nations and Indigenous organizations, with demonstrated understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems, governance, and place-based stewardship traditions — ideally developed through sustained, trust-based relationships over time People management – Experience managing and developing a team, providing clear direction and feedback to direct reports, and supporting professional growthRelationship builder & connector – Collaborative, trust-building approach with demonstrated experience facilitating or supporting relationships between Tribal and non-Tribal entities. Skilled at identifying new and creative partnership opportunities with both Tribal and non-Tribal organizations to drive meaningful impactSystems thinker – Ability to understand complex interdependencies and systematize processes to create structure, efficiency, and scale across programs and partnershipsStrong communicator with cultural fluency – Able to synthesize complex information into compelling presentations, written materials, and facilitated conversations, with strong active listening skills for Tribal and non-Tribal audiencesTechnical knowledge – Familiarity with forestry, federal agencies, and co-stewardship frameworks, alongside a solid understanding of historical and present-day land governanceSelf-directed & organized – Highly organized, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused, with the ability to work independently in a remote setting and collaboratively across cross-functional teamsFamiliarity with U.S. Forest Service-Tribal Nation policy frameworks preferredBackground in environmental science, natural resources, forestry, or Tribal governance preferredBackground in finance, community development financial institutions, conservation finance, or Tribal economic development preferredBenefits100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; subsidized coverage for dependentsAccess to a 401(k) retirement plan with a 5% employer match4 weeks paid vacation and 17 paid holidays; paid sick time and paid volunteer time3 months of paid family leaveEmployer-paid life and long-term disability insuranceAccess to Dependent Care FSA and Health FSAPublic Lands Exploration stipend (reimbursements for visits to National Forests, county parks, etc.)Monthly Home Office stipend or co-working space provided Dependent care costs are subsidized for business travelAdditional stipends for health & wellness, home internet, and cell serviceFinancial support for professional developmentAdditional InformationBlue Forest is a fully remote company with staff located across all four continental U.S. time zones. You will generally be expected to be online during Pacific Standard Time standard working hours in order to collaborate with partners and other team members. Blue Forest also hosts an in-person team retreat each year.HOW TO APPLY To apply to this position, please submit a resume and cover letter for your application through Recruitee. People from historically underrepresented populations and candidates with non-traditional career paths are especially encouraged to apply.If participating in the interview process would require you to incur additional expenses to participate, such as childcare, please let us know, and we are happy to reimburse for reasonable expenses incurred up to $30/hour for twice the length of each interview in which you participate. There will be space to request this reimbursement upon offer of an interview.
