Director of Partnership Engagement

Director of Partnership Engagement Department: Programs Employment Type: Full Time Location: Chicago, IL Compensation: $90,000 - $180,000 / year Description The Greenwood Project was founded in 2016 based on two core principles: “Students can’t be what they can’t see” and “There is no lack of talent, only a lack of opportunity.” GP’s mission is to create opportunities for qualified Black and Latino college students to attain high-trajectory careers in financial services through rigorous training and internships. We are dedicated to being a catalyst for change, building a more inclusive and diverse financial industry. Becoming part of the Greenwood Project team means joining a group of driven, passionate, and intellectually curious individuals who contribute to the organization’s success. Director of Partnership Engagement Ready to deepen the partnerships that make our Scholars’ futures possible? We’re seeking a Director of Partnership Engagement to own the stewardship, retention, and growth of Greenwood Project’s partner portfolio. This role reports to the CEO and is designed for experienced relationship managers with a track record in account management, customer success, donor retention, or major gifts stewardship from nonprofit, corporate, or financial services backgrounds. You’ll turn the relationships our business development team secures into deep, multi-year partnerships built on trust, consistent engagement, and shared investment in our mission. This is an opportunity to build deep, lasting relationships with the partners who fund Greenwood Project’s work, designing cultivation strategies tailored to each partner’s goals, creating consistent touchpoints that keep them engaged, and inviting deeper investment in our mission. Every touchpoint you create and every relationship you deepen directly sustains the programs that help our Scholars enter financial services careers. This role blends the relationship discipline of account management with the mission-driven purpose of ensuring no partner feels like just a name on a spreadsheet. Why Now? Greenwood Project is growing quickly, and as we bring on more partners, our retention and stewardship work matters more than ever. We need someone dedicated full-time to nurture these relationships once they’re won, ensuring every partner feels valued, informed, and invited to grow their support over time. This is an opportunity to build the stewardship practice that helps our partners grow more invested in our Scholars’ success year after year. Key Responsibilities Portfolio Stewardship: Serve as the primary relationship manager for an assigned portfolio of partners handed off from our business development team, building trust and continuity from day one. Retention & Growth: Develop and execute cultivation plans that deepen each partner’s engagement and encourage increased participation and giving, working toward measurable retention and expansion targets. Engagement Cadence: Maintain a disciplined, consistent cadence of meaningful touchpoints per partner each month, including calls, meetings, check-ins, and site visits, logged in the CRM within 48 hours of each interaction. Partner Health & Risk Management: Conduct quarterly partner health assessments to flag at-risk relationships early and build proactive retention strategies before renewal conversations begin. Handoff & Team Coordination: Partner with the business development team on smooth partner handoffs, and collaborate with the CEO and Programs team to align partner engagement with organizational priorities. Reporting & Forecasting: Maintain rigorous CRM hygiene, logging every partner interaction, note, and next step in real time. Deliver accurate, cash-based forecasting against individual and team portfolio targets so leadership always knows where revenue stands. Qualifications A note to potential candidates: Multiple studies have shown that BIPOC and other candidates from marginalized populations are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification. Greenwood Project is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization and encourages interested individuals to apply even if they don\'t meet every qualification described below. Required: We’re looking for candidates who can speak to their track record in concrete terms. Be ready to discuss specific metrics such as retention rate, portfolio size, and revenue or cash growth during the interview process. 3+ years managing a portfolio of corporate clients, financial services accounts, or institutional relationships, with measurable retention and growth results, whether from account management, client success, or nonprofit major gifts and donor retention work. Excellent relationship management and stewardship skills: Comfortable building trust with C-suite executives, family office principals, foundation program officers, and other institutional partners over the life of a multi-year relationship. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to act as a trusted advisor and advocate for Greenwood’s mission in every partner interaction. Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset and exceptional organizational discipline, able to manage a full portfolio of partners with varied needs, timelines, and giving cycles. Proficiency in CRM platforms (HubSpot preferred), with disciplined logging of every partner interaction. Deep commitment to Greenwood’s mission of education, access, and workforce development. Preferred: A track record of growing existing client or donor commitments with clear, quantifiable results (e.g., percentage retention, dollar growth). Knowledge of foundation grant cycles and corporate sponsorship renewal processes is valuable. Experience managing accounts within financial services, with a demonstrated ability to grow and retain complex institutional relationships. Benefits Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The Greenwood Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, ancestry, marital status, familial status, or any other legally protected classification. The Greenwood Project does not discriminate in its activities, educational programs, hiring practices, or employment practices as required by Title VI, IX, and Section 504. Compensation and Benefits This position is based in Chicago, with a hybrid work environment. Some travel will be required. Base Salary: $90,000-$110,000 On-Target Earnings (OTE): Approximately $130,000 at 100% of goal, with total compensation potential up to $180,000 based on performance A comprehensive benefits package includes health care, dental and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan and generous paid time off. If you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and are eager to be part of a team dedicated to creating opportunities for qualified college students while driving meaningful change, we encourage you to apply for this role at Greenwood Project. Shared Values Cultural Competency: All team members strive to understand the historical, social, and economic context of diverse identities and experiences, applying knowledge to interactions and decisions. Influence and Impact: We value learning about working styles and adapt our approach to maximize success for everyone on the team. Strategic Thinking: We analyze inputs and think through long-term outputs to create scalable, sustainable systems. Self-Direction: Team members operate with initiative and follow-through to build trust. Balance: We value in-person collaboration and flexible work; we have a hybrid schedule. Growth: We support your long-term career development and welcome new projects and cross-team opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr Greenwood Project