Director of Strategic Partners

Position Summary: Works collaboratively with the JA Team to build partnerships and business relationships to ensure the organization's strategic and funding goals. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic team player who thrives on building relationships and expressing passion for the mission through financial investments and philanthropic gifts to advance the organization's impact.

About 5th Year: 5th Year is a pioneering initiative designed to forge a vibrant talent ecosystem in Northwest Ohio. This experience uniquely blends students' interests, natural talents, and abilities with deliberate career exploration and discovery. Through a nine-month residency in collaboration with Lourdes University, participants engage in internships, job shadowing, company visits, career path planning, personal finance education, and professional and life skills training, all while learning the value of community contribution.

Key Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

 Foster relationships with strategic partners, including board members, government entities, private investors, foundations, corporations, and other community organizations, to help develop and drive key initiatives such as 5th Year, JA Inspire, JA Internships, JA Learning Experiences, etc.

 Collaborate with the President to create a revenue development plan, securing the funding needed to support annual operations and the organization's strategic direction.

 Design and implement a stewardship program that effectively engages all constituents—alumni, legacy planning, staff, Board, volunteers, partners (corporate, community, education), and donors—to create an effective resource pipeline, increase the retention of funder relationships, increase revenue from existing relationships, and enhance the JA brand.

 Works with the team to integrate JA's experiences successfully and strategically into funding proposals.

 Creates and executes winning partner development strategies, funding, and multiyear partnerships through relationship building; develops proposals for submission; coordinates and maintains proposal templates; prepares and stewards prospects; and ensures timely reports to funders.

 Works with the team on all special events, including preparing sponsorship opportunities and collateral and reaching out to past and potential sponsors.

 Organize and manage donor recognition initiatives. Ensure adherence to donor recognition and giving benefits, including JA website, social media promotion, etc.

 Create and manage donor information in a database to track prospects, solicitors, and funding history. Ensure that all data remains up to date and correct. Work with the operations manager/accounting manager on invoices and pledges, prepare accurate and timely reports, and acknowledge donors promptly.

 Grant Management: organize and maintain an annual calendar of grant process steps, including regular grant submission timelines, key dates and deadlines in the funding pipeline, follow-up, and final reports.

 Attend Junior Achievement events and meetings, including hours beyond the traditional workday.

 Other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies:

Accountability

• Accepts responsibility for delivering on assigned goals and outcomes.

• Maintain composure under challenging situations and shift quickly to objective, problem-solving behaviors to deliver results.

• Avoid excuses and blame-shifting.

• Great team player willing to support the JA team by accepting additional responsibilities as needed

Active Engagement

• Participates in projects, tasks, meetings, and workplace interactions with positive enthusiasm.

• Demonstrates obvious energy in performing the role and serves as an engaged team member.

• Creative partnership and relationship-building qualities across various sectors.

Growth & Improvement

Junior Achievement of Northwestern Ohio - 1645 Indian Wood Circle-Ste 104 - Maumee, OH 43537 419-865-5511

• Actively seeks opportunities to increase industry knowledge and become a more substantial subject matter expert.

• Willing to accept stretch goals and challenging projects to gain valuable experience and continuously develop professionally.

Integrity & Trust

• Earns the trust and confidence of coworkers and constituents through honest communication, ethical behavior, and professionalism in all interactions.

• Admits mistakes and does not misrepresent self or information.

• Is dependable and known to be someone who will do what is promised.

Personal

• Integrity, compassion, mission-oriented, and commitment to excellence.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and successfully manage multiple projects and deadlines. Organized, highly motivated, and able to work effectively with diverse groups.

• Forward-thinking problem-solver with critical thinking skills.

• Capable of successfully establishing and nurturing partnerships across various sectors.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills emphasizing public speaking, persuasive communication, effective listening, and listening and translating concepts into language that connects with partners.

• Must be energetic and willing to work hands-on in developing and executing fundraising activities ranging from routine/day-to-day to highly creative/visible.

• Experience in managing program budgets. Demonstrate an ability to make financially sound decisions that support program sustainability and growth.

• Strong decision-making methodology.

• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising database platforms.

• Must have a valid driver's license and vehicle transportation required to meet the position's responsibilities.

Junior Achievement Teamwork

• Contributes to meeting team deadlines and engages effectively with others to achieve goals.

• Maintains an approachable demeanor to encourage positive working relationships and promote effective clear communication.

• Demonstrates a willingness to pitch in to help team members succeed (even in areas outside their usual roles).

• Interacts well with many personalities and handles complex interactions without escalating tension.

• Commitment to the program's mission of bridging education and professional opportunities for young adults.

Education:

Candidates of all degrees and academic certification levels are welcome. However, as research demonstrates that education requirements can deter qualified candidates, we have decided not to require candidates to demonstrate a specific degree or level of academic certification. Instead, we encourage all candidates with professional experience, values, and skills outlined in this position specification to apply.

Send resumes to: janwo.team@ja.org

(Junior Achievement of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. is an "at-will" employer. As such, employment with JA is not for a fixed term or definite period and may be terminated at the will of either party, with or without reason, and without prior notice.)

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person