Position: Assistant Director of Partnerships DevelopmentDepartment: Partnerships

Reports to: Chief Innovation Officer

Categorization: Hybrid-Remote

Status: Full-Time Exempt

Salary Range: $83,484 - $87,000

Start Date: Late February 2024

The Organization

Since 2003, The Opportunity Network (OppNet) has ignited the drive, curiosity, and agency of historically and systematically underrepresented students on their paths to and through college and into thriving careers, powered by our commitment to access and community. This year, OppNet will reach more than 10,000 students of color nationwide to support them in achieving their college and career goals.

All of the work OppNet leads is in service of realizing our vision of a nation connected through vibrant communities and networks actively in pursuit of social justice and educational equity – a nation where all young people can freely create their path to enduring success that honors their passions, ambitions, and full identities.

Our Core Values

• Galvanize Community While Celebrating the Individual

• Maximize the Power of Storytelling

• Center Social and Racial Equity Relentlessly

• Activate Solutions Through Assets, Not Deficits

• Pursue Impact That Lasts

The Job

The Opportunity Network (OppNet) seeks a mission-driven, equity- and racial justice-focused individual to join its collaborative OppNet Partnerships team. OppNet’s Career Fluency® Partnerships program provides immersive community-centered, capacity-building partnerships for institutions committed to supporting the post-secondary success and career development of their students. Current Career Fluency® Partners have included the New York City Department of Education, the “I Have a Dream” Foundation, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Facebook.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of the Partnership program at an exciting time by playing a critical role in the execution of a national initiative focused on modeling justice-driven systems change at the intersection of youth development and postsecondary readiness. 

The Assistant Director of Partnerships Development will report to the Chief Innovation Officer and is responsible for enhancing the team’s partnership development and pricing models, cultivating expansive relationships with value-aligned prospects and professionals in the field, activating purposeful opportunities for partnership growth in community hubs, and overseeing marketing campaigns to deepen our impact for thousands of students across the country. This is a dynamic opportunity to join a growing team that is expanding an innovative and justice-driven program model. The Assistant Director of Partnerships Development will work with the Chief Innovation Officer and the Partnerships team to create, collaborate, and seize a real opportunity to deepen social change.

About You

The ideal candidate will personally connect to the important work we do and value diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the organization. The candidate will demonstrate DEI values by actively participating in all organization-wide learning sessions and self-reflection, as well as working with others to enact changes that contribute to meeting OppNet’s DEI initiatives.

What You Will Be Doing

Partnerships Development – 85%

• Develop and implement strategic partnership development plans and responsive pricing models to reach annual targets of new and returning partners, earned revenue, and aligned geographic expansion

• Develop and execute the cultivation of the partnership pipeline by conducting research to identify new prospects and conducting to expand our database of value-aligned prospects, professional networks and community leaders, and leveraging contacts and organizations that can facilitate meaningful networking connections

• Work in close collaboration with the Partnerships and Communications teams to develop strong partnership development marketing collateral

• Be responsible for drafting and delivering presentations, conducting meetings and attending conferences and networking events to cultivate new value-aligned partners, assess partnership readiness and identify innovative solutions

• Manage the OppNet Partnership database and communicate key updates across multiple departments related to newly secured partners and prospects, including revenue

• Work in close collaboration with the Strategic Advancement team to identify and co-develop grant proposals with the Chief Innovation Officer that align with the team’s capacity and vision for growth

• Support with the development of new systems and materials that lay the groundwork for innovative partnership models

• Develop mutually agreed upon MOUs and scopes of work for new partners

• Onboard and prepare Partnership Managers to ensure a successful transition from business development to the formal launch of new partnerships

• Manage the part-time Partnerships Development Intern

Organizational Learning, Development, and Program Reflection (15%):

• Participate in organization-wide DEI learning sessions, equity working groups, and optional identity-based affinity groups

• Attend weekly team meetings, All Hands meetings, All Staff meetings, team retreats, and annual institution-wide retreat

• Develop professional and personal intentions related to OppNet’s DEI commitment, incorporated into annual performance reviews.

Who we are looking for

• 6 – 10 years of experience in the college access/success and career development space preferred, with at least four years in a partnership development role

• Exceptional ability to cultivate relationships, leverage networks, and creatively identify new avenues for outreach to meet equity-driven outcomes

• Supportive of team-based, collaborative decision-making that centers open, transparent, and continual communication and information-sharing

• Proven ability to build C-suite relationships and navigate complex, external organizations to identify internal champions, influence decision makers and have critical conversations

• High comfort level balancing priorities, setting realistic deadlines and project plans, and communicating with internal and external stakeholders around deliverables

• Experience in research and analysis with the ability to assess and synthesize thematic and regional trends

• Must be an independent, highly accountable, and driven self-starter

• Superb written and oral communication skills

• Outstanding organizational skills; detail-oriented

• Demonstrated competency in data-informed practices

• Demonstrated belief in The Opportunity Network’s mission and vision

• Demonstrated alignment with OppNet’s core values in diversity, equity, and inclusion

Requirements to Work for OppNet

OppNet requires that all employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including new hires, unless an exemption has been approved. 

Salary and Benefits

We take a thoughtful and deliberate approach to generating salary offers that take into account previous work experience, the role you’re entering into, and equity within OppNet. Equity is important to us and it is critical that our compensation approach ensures equity across the organization. Hence, we make every effort to make our first offer our best offer because we want to ensure equity and demonstrate that we value you and your work from day one.

The hiring salary range for this role is $83,484 - $87,000 and will be commensurate with experience.

At OppNet, eligible employees can enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical coverage (health, dental, and vision), an HRA, Flexible Spending Account, family leave (up to 100% coverage for twelve weeks), life insurance, and retirement benefits. Full-time employees can participate in our 403(b) retirement benefit program with up to a 3% employer match. Additionally, we offer generous time off from work with up to 58 fully paid non-working days (through a combination of vacation, sick, and holidays).

Application Instructions

Please apply here https://tinyurl.com/4pp6b86c. A cover letter is required.

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Do you meet some but not all of our qualifications? OppNet is an equal-opportunity employer. Even if you may not meet every qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply without hesitation. If you believe in our organization's mission and feel confident in your potential to excel at OppNet, we warmly welcome your application. Our commitment lies in considering a wide range of candidates, and valuing diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the non-profit sector, returning to work after a break, considering a career change, or taking the next step in your professional journey, we are excited to hear from you! We recognize that diverse teams make the strongest teams, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.