Director, Partnerships & Community

NAACP • Baltimore, MD

8d

About The Position

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for equal rights, seeks a Director, Partnerships & Community, who advances the organization’s strategic goals by leading high-impact partnerships, community initiatives, and identity-based programming. This role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution across multiple workstreams, including stakeholder engagement, leadership development, and community-building efforts.

The Director collaborates across departments and with external partners to cultivate meaningful relationships and design initiatives that strengthen social justice, advance equity, and build community power.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit/association management, civic engagement, partnerships, DEI programming, leadership programs, or related fields.
• 3–5 years of team management experience, including cross-functional leadership.
• Proven success building and sustaining strategic partnerships across sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in program development, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Fundraising or donor engagement experience with an ability to translate programming into funding opportunities.
• Minimum five years coordinating staff, National Board leaders, volunteers, and contractors.
• Experience designing partner cultivation, engagement, and retention strategies.

Nice To Haves

• Established relationships and experience in national-level partnerships or external affairs strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Partnerships & Community team, providing strategic direction, staff development, and performance management.
• Establish and manage annual goals, timelines, and departmental budgets.
• Track and analyze KPIs to assess program effectiveness and provide regular updates to senior leadership.
• Support fundraising efforts by collaborating with Development on proposals, reporting, and donor engagement.
• Partner with senior leaders to ensure partnership and community programs align with organizational priorities.
• Cultivate, manage, and expand relationships with civic, DEI, fraternal, faith-based, and advocacy organizations aligned with the NAACP’s mission.
• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive partnership strategy across national and local platforms.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Development, Communications, Field & Membership, and Policy & Legislative Affairs to maximize the impact of partnerships.
• Evaluate partnership opportunities and create frameworks for assessing, onboarding, and stewarding collaborators.
• Represent the NAACP at high-level meetings, conferences, and events as a senior organizational ambassador.
• Oversee the NAACP Leadership Programs, including curriculum development, cohort selection, implementation, and evaluation.
• Guide leadership development strategies such as mentorship, training, and experiential learning.
• Partner with funders and stakeholders to secure, steward, and report on leadership program investments.
• Lead internal and external initiatives that cultivate belonging, inclusion, and equity across the NAACP ecosystem.
• Serve as an advisor on DEI, contributing to intersectional policy and practice development.
• Provide oversight for identity- and affinity-based groups, including WIN, LGBTQ, and Religious Affairs.
• Leverage partnerships to support programming at the intersections of race, gender, religion, veteran status, and other identities.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Senior Vice President, Executive Office, or other designee

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director