Director, Strategic Engagement

The Recycling Partnership • Washington, DC

7h • $125,000 - $150,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Director, Strategic Engagement plays a key role in advancing The Recycling Partnership’s strategic engagement efforts by cultivating, retaining, and growing high-value funding partnerships that support mission impact, revenue sustainability, and long-term systems change. This role leads partner engagement from recruitment through retention, delivering an elevated level of customer service to build trusted relationships that drive satisfaction and sustained investment. Working closely with the Strategic Engagement team and cross-functional partners, the Director identifies and develops mission-aligned funding opportunities across supply, demand, and policy initiatives, supports material-specific coalitions and recycling participation and capture programs, and helps track progress and communicate impact to funding partners.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in strategic engagement, fundraising, partnerships, development, enterprise sales, or a related field.
• Experience in recycling, sustainability, circular economy initiatives, or leading programs or portfolios.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas and value propositions to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to build, manage, and retain high-value, mission-aligned partnerships.
• Collaborative working style and experience partnering with cross-functional and technical teams.
• Experience supporting or managing revenue-generating accounts, memberships, or partnerships.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strategic mindset, with the ability to anticipate needs and identify growth opportunities.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and standard collaboration tools (e.g., HubSpot, Notion, Microsoft Office).
• This position will require overnight and out-of-state travel for business activities.
• An employee driving on company business shall have a valid driver’s license.  An employee driving a privately-owned vehicle on company business shall have liability insurance on the privately-owned vehicle.
• The employee must be able to successfully pass a background check.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in environmental science, sustainability, public policy, business, or a related field.
• Experience engaging consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, retailers, packaging supply chain partners, or national funders.
• Working knowledge of recycling systems, packaging materials, circular economy principles, and extended producer responsibility (EPR).
• Ability to synthesize partner feedback, data, and market trends to inform engagement strategies.
• Confidence navigating ambiguity, influencing across diverse groups, and driving alignment.
• Mission-driven and aligned with TRP’s values of partnership, inclusion, integrity, and continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the cultivation, retention, and growth of a portfolio of high-value funding partners from recruitment through long-term engagement.
• Manage key and growth partner relationships, ensuring strong stewardship and alignment with TRP’s strategic priorities.
• Develop tailored engagement strategies that drive partner satisfaction, retention, and revenue growth.
• Translate funder interests and feedback into compelling, mission-aligned proposals and growth opportunities.
• Represent The Recycling Partnership in one-on-one meetings, conferences, and presentations to deepen relationships and secure expanded support.
• Identify opportunities to increase partner participation across TRP’s solution portfolio.
• Proactively address retention risks and engagement challenges.
• Maintain accurate partner records in CRM systems to support forecasting, reporting, and cross-team coordination.
• Collaborate closely with Strategic Engagement team members to align outreach, opportunities, and partner strategies.
• Partner with internal teams to support agreements, renewals, forecasting, and invoicing processes.
• Coordinate with legal, technical, and business partner teams to ensure aligned execution and partner commitments.
• Support successful and timely delivery of funded projects.
• Work cross-functionally to capture program outcomes and translate impact into clear, compelling funder reports.
• Represent TRP externally through public speaking and participation in meetings, workshops, and industry events.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to develop partner-facing materials and thought leadership content.
• Share partner and market insights that inform strategy and strengthen TRP’s value proposition.
• Help shape partner-facing messaging to align with organizational priorities and resonate with key audiences.

Benefits

• Health Insurance Options under United Healthcare (with 75% employer paid premiums)
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Employer paid Life, STD, and LTD Insurance
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 4 Weeks of Mandatory Vacation per year (office closures)
• Unlimited PTO
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• 529 Education Savings Plan
• Cell Phone & Internet Stipend - $100/month
• Remote Work Reimbursement - $500/year
• Work/Life Integration – we don’t just say it, we actually mean it
• Flexible Schedules
• Career Growth
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Partnership Days

What This Job Offers

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