Director, Growth & Strategic Partnerships (Los Angeles)

Propel America•Los Angeles, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Propel America is dedicated to transforming the education and workforce systems to be more equitable, particularly for marginalized citizens. The organization addresses the shortcomings of traditional education and workforce programs by offering a 'third way' solution. This approach provides young adults (18-26 years old), especially those from low-income backgrounds, with an affordable and efficient pathway to living-wage jobs. Propel America partners with training and higher education organizations to offer workforce credentials that include college credits. They also provide wraparound coaching and professional skill development to ensure fellows succeed in their job interviews, on their first day of work, and have a plan for ongoing education and career advancement. The Director, Growth & Strategic Partnerships will be responsible for driving day-to-day market execution by building partnership pipelines, managing local relationships and brand, and supporting revenue generation in partnership with key leaders. This role works closely with the VP, Growth and Strategy to set regional strategy and requires a leader who can balance the tactical needs of managing a diverse partner ecosystem with the strategic need to secure local funding and employer commitments.

Requirements

At least 2 years of professional experience, preferably in partnership development, sales, or marketing.
Demonstrated experience prospecting for funding or partnership opportunities in a mission-driven context.
Strong project management skills along with focus on execution and follow through.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to connect authentically with diverse stakeholders, from corporate executives to community leaders.
Deep knowledge of the local market and a passion for Propel America’s mission.
Proficiency with CRM platforms (Salesforce) and using data to track and manage a business development pipeline.
Comfort with ambiguity and a bias toward action in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to equity and inclusive workforce development.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary Propel contact for a diverse regional ecosystem, including employer partners, local government agencies, and community-based organizations.
Manage and steward relationships with partners and early-stage employer prospects in a region, while escalating strategic opportunities to the Senior Director or Vice President.
Represent Propel in regional collaboratives, collectives, workforce events, and conferences to generate partner and funder leads, strengthen partnerships, and further pipeline.
Host local stewardship activities, such as site visits, to showcase Propel’s impact to current and prospective supporters.
Lead regional fellow activities including: graduation, alumni events, and in-person recruitment needs.
Support activation of alumni ambassadors for digital marketing.
Support the implementation of regional initiatives that deepen local demand and ensure Propel remains a "best-fit" partner for the local economy.
Build and manage a pipeline of employer and funding opportunities by identifying, researching, and qualifying new leads.
Lead early-stage outreach and relationship development for employer and funding prospects, serving as the first point of contact and qualifying opportunities for advancement in the region.
Support the development and closing of employer and funding partnerships led by the Senior Director, SD Development, and/or VP Market Growth, in collaboration with the Program team.
Maintain data integrity in Salesforce, tracking all activities to contribute to regional market health assessments and strategic planning.
Supervise the regional alumni ambassadors towards recruitment content and site visit execution.
Provide market insights and pipeline data to inform strategy and prioritization of opportunities with the greatest return on investment.
Collaborate across departments to ensure a seamless experience for partners and fellows.
Track regional effectiveness and adjust local efforts based on data and outcomes to achieve organizational goals.