Director, Growth & Strategic Partnerships (Los Angeles)

Propel America•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$77,000 - $104,000•Onsite

About The Position

Propel America is dedicated to transforming the education and workforce systems to be more equitable, particularly for marginalized citizens. The current systems often lead to low-wage jobs disconnected from higher education, creating barriers to career advancement. Traditional higher education can be unaffordable and lack labor market connections, resulting in low persistence rates for BIPOC individuals. Propel America offers a 'third way' solution, providing an affordable and efficient pathway for young adults from low-income backgrounds to secure good jobs and achieve a choice-filled life. This is achieved by partnering with employers to understand their needs, supporting young adults (18-26) in preparing for living wage jobs, collaborating with training and higher education organizations for college credits, and offering wraparound coaching and professional skill development for success in employment and career advancement.

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.