Director of National Partnerships

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in District of Columbia, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Formulate and implement a comprehensive multi-year national partnerships strategy that aligns with the broader strategic direction of Urban Strategies.

• Establish and sustain a qualified national partnership pipeline.

• Oversee the entire partnership lifecycle, which includes prospecting, qualification, cultivation, opportunity design, internal alignment, negotiation, activation, stewardship, evaluation, renewal, and expansion.

• Forge cross-sector partnerships with foundations, corporations, banks, CDFIs, government agencies, national intermediaries, universities, peer community development organizations, and other aligned institutions.

• Convert place-based Community Development initiatives into partnership models that can be replicated or adapted in various communities.

• Develop partnership proposals, scopes of work, MOUs, implementation plans, roles, deliverables, timelines, resource commitments, and success metrics.

• Identify opportunities that provide funding, capital, technical assistance, expertise, referrals, research, training, visibility, program collaboration, or other strategic resources to Urban Strategies and partner communities.

• Collaborate with Executive leadership, Business Development, Grants, Finance, Communications, Program Evaluation/Data, Legal/Compliance, and executive leadership.

• Assist in grant and resource development opportunities related to national partnerships.

• Facilitate national learning exchanges, peer networks, convenings, site visits, and technical assistance collaborations.

• Represent Urban Strategies at national conferences, coalitions, philanthropic forums, governmental meetings, roundtables, and partner convenings.

• Maintain a detailed Customer Relationship Management system and partnership records.

• Provide executive-level updates on partnership pipeline health, resources leveraged, implementation progress, strategic value, risks, outcomes, and future opportunities.

• Create repeatable partnership playbooks, due diligence criteria, templates, activation processes, and accountability practices.

• Lead designated staff and/or cross-functional partnership teams.

• Connect community needs, external trends, organizational priorities, and long-term opportunities.

• Translate relationship opportunities into defined commitments, owners, milestones, and outcomes.

• Ensure disciplined follow-through and measurable value from partnerships.

• Adapt partnership strategies in response to evolving community, funding, policy, and market conditions.

• Ensure partnerships honor local voices, culture, leadership, and shared ownership.

• Approach communities and partners with credibility, responsiveness, humility, and a focus on the mission.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in community development, public administration, urban planning, nonprofit management, business, social sciences, or a related field; significant equivalent experience may be accepted.

• 8 years of progressively responsible experience in community development, strategic partnerships, business/resource development, philanthropy, affordable housing, economic mobility, or related mission-driven work.

• Proven success in establishing senior-level cross-sector partnerships that deliver measurable strategic, financial, programmatic, or community value.

• Experience in advancing complex partnerships from initial relationship through agreement, implementation, measurement, and renewal.

• Exceptional executive communication, facilitation, negotiation, presentation, writing, and relationship-management skills.

• Proficient in leading across functions and geographies within a matrixed organization and managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.

• Willingness and ability to travel nationally.

• Graduate degree in urban planning, public policy, public administration, nonprofit management, business, or a related field preferred.

• Familiarity with CDFIs, foundations, government, financial institutions, affordable housing, economic development, workforce development, neighborhood revitalization, or public-private partnerships.

• Experience in scaling or replicating place-based community development initiatives across multiple geographies.

• Proficient with CRM systems, partnership dashboards, outcome measurement, and executive or board reporting.

• Employment is conditional upon satisfactory results from all required tests and background checks.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote work options for eligible positions.

• Medical and Dental coverage is 95% funded by the company and 5% by the employee (individual or family).

• Vision coverage is 100% provided (individual or family).

• 401K with matched contributions up to 4%.

• Employee Assistance Program.

• Generous vacation time, which varies depending on the program and position.

• 9 Sick Days and 11 Holidays.

• All teammates receive long and short-term disability insurance at no cost.

• Company-provided laptops for positions that require them.

• Company-issued cellphones for positions that necessitate one.

• Engaging employee engagement programs.