Director, Community Partnerships

Established in 1980, the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) is a multi-site, mission-driven, non-profit organization employing over 700 staff whose primary focus is providing the highest quality patient care to residents throughout the Merrimack Valley. Nationally recognized as a leader in community medicine — family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, and geriatrics — GLFHC operates multiple clinical sites throughout the service area and serves as the sponsoring organization for the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency Program.

GLFHC is seeking a Director, Community Partnerships to join our team. Under the direction of the SVP of Advancement, the Director of Community Partnerships works closely with the CEO, senior leadership, residency, pharmacy, and community support services teams to advance GLFHC’s mission through strong, strategic community relationships. The Director is responsible for developing and managing a cohesive portfolio of partnerships that strengthens GLFHC’s visibility, impact, and reputation across the Merrimack Valley.

This role requires aligning partnership strategy with visible, high-impact engagement activities, including GLFHC’s annual Spring Benefit and community-wide initiatives such as National Health Center Week. The Director is accountable for translating strategy into execution by coordinating people, resources, and timelines to deliver measurable results while ensuring strong collaboration internally and externally.

Key Responsibilities

Community Partnership Strategy & Program Development

• Develop and implement an annual operating plan for community relations and partnerships, including goals, metrics, and evaluation measures.
• Identify, evaluate, and advance high-impact partnership opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Assess current partnerships for alignment, effectiveness, impact, and growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with Community Support Services to align partnerships with health equity and social determinants of health initiatives.
• Represent GLFHC on internal and external committees and collaborative groups.

External Partnership Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, healthcare partners, and civic associations.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to develop programs, initiatives, and events that address community needs.
• Convene and facilitate coalitions and community partnerships that support collective impact initiatives.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for GLFHC at community events, meetings, conferences, and public engagements.
• Support organizational visibility, outreach, and reputation-building efforts throughout the Merrimack Valley.

Internal Collaboration & Leadership

• Engage senior leadership, Board members, and staff around the strategic value of community partnerships and engagement.
• Work cross-functionally with executive leadership, clinicians, and program leaders to identify collaborative opportunities.
• Provide guidance and leadership to staff involved in partnership and event-related initiatives.
• Ensure partnership activities align with FQHC regulations and organizational requirements.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and updates for leadership, Board members, and stakeholders.
• Support grant development efforts, including proposal input and review.
• Manage the community partnerships budget in collaboration with Finance.

Event Planning & Community Engagement

• Lead planning and execution of GLFHC’s annual Spring Benefit, including sponsorship development, fundraising strategy, ticket sales, logistics, and overall event performance.
• Oversee all aspects of event management, including vendor coordination, timelines, budgeting, communications, and day-of operations.
• Drive sponsor and donor engagement by identifying prospects, securing commitments, and maintaining relationships.
• Co-lead National Health Center Week activities, including oversight of GLFHC’s Community Health Fair.
• Coordinate leadership, staff, Board members, volunteers, and community partners to ensure successful execution of events and initiatives.

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in partnership development, community engagement, philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, healthcare, or related fields.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English required.
• Demonstrated success building trust and partnerships within diverse communities.
• Strong understanding of health equity, community engagement, and social determinants of health.
• Proven experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and revenue-generating events.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
• Experience engaging senior leadership, Boards, donors, and community stakeholders.
• Collaborative leadership style with strong initiative and problem-solving abilities.
• Familiarity with institutional advancement and fundraising strategies preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including SharePoint, Teams, and Copilot.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for community events and activities.

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nonprofit management, public health, communications, philanthropy, healthcare management, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

GLFHC offers a great working environment, comprehensive benefit package, growth opportunities and tuition reimbursement.