Director of Strategic Partnerships (Education)

Operation Outbreak, Inc. • Boston, MA

133d • Hybrid

About The Position

Operation Outbreak is an education non-profit spun out from the lab of Dr. Pardis Sabeti at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, designed to equip students and society with the skills and knowledge required to effectively respond to infectious disease outbreaks. Through immersive, technology-driven simulations and interdisciplinary learning experiences, the initiative teaches scientific literacy and strengthens civic responsibility, preparing individuals to contribute to public health solutions. We are seeking a Director of Strategic Partnerships (Education) to join our small-but-growing team. This is a senior leadership role, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and responsible for building and sustaining Operation Outbreak’s most important education and institutional partnerships while shaping the strategic direction of its U.S.-based educational programming during a time of rapid growth and development. The successful candidate will lead Operation Outbreak’s core program expansion into schools and universities in all 50 US states over the next 5 years. This role is first and foremost a partnership leader — responsible for identifying, cultivating, and stewarding high-impact relationships that expand reach, deepen program relevance, and strengthen organizational sustainability. At the same time, this leader ensures that partnership insights directly inform program strategy, design, and evolution. The role blends external relationship leadership, program strategy, and organizational influence, and works closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, program leadership, or related roles in education, public health, or mission-driven organizations.
• Proven success building and managing complex, high-value partnerships.
• Strong strategic thinking and program design capabilities.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and leadership skills.
• Experience working across organizational boundaries and sectors.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with national foundations or large-scale education initiatives.
• Familiarity with data-driven or technology-enabled educational programs.
• Background in public health, systems science, or experiential learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of Operation Outbreak’s strategic partnership strategy.
• Build, cultivate, and steward relationships with school districts, charter networks, independent schools, education nonprofits, public-health institutions, foundations, and aligned mission-driven organizations.
• Serve as the senior relationship owner for priority partners.
• Identify and pursue partnership opportunities that enable program scale, innovation, research, and funding alignment.
• Co-design initiatives, pilots, and long-term collaborations with partners.
• Represent Operation Outbreak in national and regional education and public-health fora.
• Support funder and board engagement by articulating partnership value, outcomes, and strategic alignment.
• Set and guide the strategic direction of domestic programs informed by partnership needs, field insights, and organizational goals.
• Translate partnership learnings into program priorities, product evolution, and delivery models.
• Identify opportunities for new program models, pilots, and adaptations.
• Ensure programs remain relevant, high-quality, and responsive to diverse school contexts.
• Oversee program standards, frameworks, and quality assurance.
• Partner with internal teams responsible for delivery to ensure consistency and excellence.
• Use data and feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Work closely with COO on organizational strategy and growth.
• Collaborate with product, research, communications, and development teams.
• Contribute to budgeting, planning, and organizational decision-making.
• Mentor and support team members engaged in partnership or program work.
• Define partnership and program success metrics.
• Ensure insights inform strategy, storytelling, and external communications.
• Translate impact into compelling narratives for stakeholders and funders.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, determined by role, level, location and additional factors like job-related skills, experience, and relevant education/training.
• Competitive benefits package including health, life, and a 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% match
• Flexible and unlimited PTO

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed