Director of Business Development & Partnerships

About the Job

The Director of Business Development and Partnerships will play a pivotal role in advancing Compass’s organizational growth and impact. This position is responsible for leading business development strategy, expanding and deepening partnerships, and ensuring successful execution of both revenue-generating and mission-driven initiatives.

This role requires a balance of strategic vision and hands-on management. The Director will cultivate relationships across nonprofit, housing, and corporate sectors; identify and pursue new opportunities; support coordination of grant-related activities in partnership with other teams; and ensure that all partnership efforts are aligned with Compass’s mission and strategic priorities.

The Director of Business Development and Partnerships reports to the Chief Strategy and Impact Officer.

All Compass staff embody the following core competencies :

Ownership : Steps up and follows through to consistently deliver high-quality work.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion : Champions the value of diversity and the creation of inclusive spaces.

Growth Mindset : Embraces challenges and setbacks as the fuel for learning and development.

Teamwork : Contributes actively and collaboratively with colleagues to achieve shared goals.

Skills We’re Looking For

Strategic thinker who can also dive into operational detail.

Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Skilled manager and coach who develops talent and fosters accountability.

Relationship builder with strong interpersonal and networking skills.

Proactive, solutions-oriented, and adaptable to changing priorities.

Strong track record of cultivating external partnerships and executing initiatives that drive growth and impact.

Experience with grant operations, client engagement strategies, or referral / contractor management.

Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive proposals and reporting for external audiences.

Comfort with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and data-driven decision-making.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Team Management

Provide vision, leadership, and day-to-day supervision for the Business Development and Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, and Workforce and Career development teams.

Develop clear goals, KPIs, and performance expectations aligned with organizational priorities.

Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, using data and feedback to refine strategies.

Mentor and develop team members, providing coaching and professional development opportunities.

Partner with senior leadership to inform long-term strategy, identify growth opportunities, and scale successful partnership models across sites.

Business Development Oversight

Guide the Business Development Manager in executing partner outreach, engagement, and acquisition activities.

Oversee FSS Link membership growth, training / technical assistance opportunities, and Salesforce data accuracy.

Ensure quality in proposals, webinars, partner demos, and FSS Conference engagement.

Set and monitor revenue and partner satisfaction goals, ensuring alignment with broader organizational strategy.

Represent Compass externally in business development conversations, industry events, and partnership negotiations.

Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives Oversight

Supervise the Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives Manager in special programs operations and referral / contractor ecosystem management.

Oversee special programs deliverables, client data tracking, and quarterly reporting in collaboration with I2, Development, and Finance teams.

Provide direction for PCC events and engagement programs, ensuring consistency and impact across sites.

Review and approve quarterly reports for stakeholders.

Oversee the referral and contractor ecosystem, ensuring quality, equity, and responsiveness to client needs.

Workforce & Career Development Oversight

Oversee the Workforce & Career Partnerships Manager, ensuring workforce initiatives align with client needs.

Lead strategy to expand and strengthen external partnerships that support client success and organizational growth.

Cultivate and manage relationships with employers, training providers, and community organizations.

Drive business development opportunities that advance Compass’s mission and scale.

Integrate workforce development into the broader partnership strategy to ensure alignment across programs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Finance, Impact & Innovation, Training and Technical Assistance and Program teams to ensure seamless execution of grant deliverables, partnerships, workforce development, and business development initiatives.

Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to strategically amplify client voices, partner stories, and Compass’s brand.

Serve as a senior organizational representative with external stakeholders, funders, and partners.

Qualifications

Required

4 – 6 years of progressive experience in business development, partnerships, grant / contract management, or strategic initiatives.

At least 3 years of supervisory experience, with a proven ability to manage and coach high-performing teams.

Passionate about Compass’s mission and committed to advancing equity and impact through partnerships.

Preferred

Experience in nonprofit, housing, financial capability, or workforce development sectors.

Familiarity with conference / event planning, training, or partner engagement programs.

Knowledge of data systems for grant deliverables and client engagement reporting.

Strong understanding of cross-sector partnerships (nonprofit, government, philanthropy, corporate).

Benefits

The salary range for this role is $106,000-$123,000, commensurate with experience.