Director of Partnerships

Director, Partnerships

**INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY**

Role Overview
The Director, Partnerships is responsible for designing and leading Durham Public Schools Foundation’s (DPSF) business and community partnership strategy, with a strong emphasis on workforce development, educator housing, and strategic school-based partnerships. This role strengthens DPSF’s position as a connector between schools and external stakeholders, and plays a key role in aligning partnerships with long-term impact for students, educators, and families.

The Director, Partnerships reports to the Deputy Executive Director and collaborates closely with the Executive Director to shape DPSF’s organizational strategy and public advocacy efforts. This position plays an essential role in driving cross-sector engagement and securing joint commitments for collective action from key partners, including Made in Durham and the NC Chamber of Commerce.

Reports to: Deputy Executive Director
Manages: Program Manager, Academic Success Alliance (ASA)

Key Responsibilities

Workforce Development & Business Engagement (45%)

• Lead the development and execution of DPSF’s workforce development strategy, focusing on building education-to-career pathways for Durham Public Schools students.
• Oversee and grow the Academic Success Alliance (ASA), ensuring alignment with workforce readiness and postsecondary success priorities.
• Cultivate and sustain corporate partnerships that support DPSF initiatives and student opportunities.
• Act as the primary liaison to workforce-related organizations, including Made in Durham and the NC Chamber of Commerce, securing joint commitments for collective action.
• Collaborate with DPS Career & Technical Education (CTE) teams to connect students to real-world experiences, internships, and postsecondary pathways.
• Support convenings and roundtables that bring together business leaders, educators, and students to co-design workforce opportunities.
  
  

District & Community Solutions: Educator Housing (25%)

Note: This scope will be adjusted based on community needs and strategic priorities. 

• Advance DPSF’s educator housing strategy by coordinating with corporate, philanthropic, and public sector partners.
• Lead stakeholder engagement efforts to build cross-sector coalitions that champion educator housing solutions.
• Support policy efforts and funding proposals that promote educator stability and well-being.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to design sustainable housing models, including pilot implementation planning.

Strategic School & Community Partnerships (20%)

• Coordinate and grow school-based and community partnerships that align with DPSF and DPS priorities.
• Lead efforts to build structured and sustainable volunteer models that go beyond one-time events, connecting corporate and community partners with school needs.
• Facilitate collaborations that increase school capacity and community investment in public education.
• Ensure that partnerships reinforce equity, innovation, and long-term school transformation.
  
  

Organizational Collaboration & Fundraising Support (10%)

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to influence DPSF’s overall partnership strategy, external advocacy, and systems-level engagement.
• Support the Executive Director and development team by contributing to funding proposals and relationship management with business and philanthropic partners.
• Help identify new funding opportunities aligned with partnership work. 
• Grant writing and grant reporting.

Skills & Qualifications

• Proven ability to build and sustain cross-sector partnerships in workforce development, corporate engagement, or economic/community development.
• Strong understanding of K–12 education systems and career-connected learning.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship management skills.
• Experience managing multi-stakeholder initiatives and/or collective impact efforts.
  Commitment to educational equity, public schools, and community-driven change.
• Ability to think strategically and execute tactically in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.