Manager, Strategic Partnerships

Empowering Nonprofits to Create Meaningful Change

Executive Service Corps of Southern California (ESC) partners with nonprofits to strengthen their capacity to serve communities across Southern California. Through customized leadership coaching, strategic consulting, and hands-on support, we equip nonprofit leaders with the skills, confidence, and networks to tackle today’s most pressing challenges and achieve long-term sustainability. Powered by a network of over 100 dedicated volunteer consultants, ESC bridges the gap between the critical support nonprofits need and the resources available to them.

We are a mission-driven, collaborative, and high-performing team that values innovation, equity, and professional growth. ESC is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist workplace where every team member contributes to meaningful impact.

Position Overview

ESC seeks a Manager, Strategic Partnerships (MSP) to drive the expansion of our nonprofit client base, increase and diversify our consultant corps, and strengthen partnerships that support ESC’s fee-for-service revenue growth. This role is ideal for a strategic and relationship-driven professional eager to enhance ESC’s ability to fulfill its mission. Reporting to the Vice President, Client Services, the MSP will be instrumental in executing business development strategies that grow ESC’s impact and visibility across the nonprofit sector.

Strategic Planning and Business Development

• Create and implement business development strategies that advance fee-for-service revenue goals and align with ESC’s mission, including conducting market analysis of potential clients and outreach to and follow up of prospective clients, and identifying and tracking potential projects and engagements.
• Participate in meetings with the Resource Development Committee of ESC’s Board of Directors to identify and pursue fee-for-service opportunities and provide regular updates to Client Services staff.
• Monitor trends in the nonprofit sector and capacity building field to help shape service offerings and inform business development strategies.

Networking and Partnership Development

• Identify and cultivate new strategic relationships with nonprofits and government agencies, and other potential clients to create fee-for-service opportunities.
• Foster partnerships with professional associations, networks, and other organizations to share resources, knowledge, and best practices.

Stakeholder and Consultant Relationship Management

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including nonprofit and government leaders, funders, and corporate partners.
• Collect and track client feedback on consultant skills, knowledge, and attributes to inform talent development of consultants and provide reports to the Director of Volunteers and Cohort Programs.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the consultant corps’ capacity to meet client needs and to recruit new consultants to join the corps.

Outreach

• Promote ESC’s capacity building services, institutes, and custom cohorts to drive fee-for-service revenue generation and engagement.
• Oversee the planning and execution of special events and workshops to showcase ESC’s services and expertise.
• Create and present client proposals, service demos, and service-based webinars to secure new business and engagements.
• Represent ESC at sector events, conferences, and other opportunities to raise the organization’s visibility and cultivate relationships.

Client Experience and Service Development

• Collaborate with Client Services staff to ensure client satisfaction and identify opportunities for additional services.

Technology and Systems Management

• Advocate for and work with Administrator, Salesforce and IT to implement technology upgrades and digital tools to improve operational efficiency, data management, and overall effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Administrator, Salesforce and IT, to manage and optimize the organization’s customer relationship management (CRM) system to track and support business development efforts.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business development, nonprofit management, marketing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, fundraising, or nonprofit management.
• Strong knowledge of and networks within the Southern California nonprofit sector.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships and revenue-generating initiatives.
• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and proposal development.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to identify opportunities and propose solutions.
• Proficiency in MS Office, CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), and project management software (Asana preferred).

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and in collaboration with diverse team members, stakeholders, and community partners.
• Passion for ESC’s mission to coach Southern California nonprofits through transformative projects that help them meet the needs of their communities.
• A strong personal commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, with a dedication to supporting the success and well-being of local communities.
• Ability to cultivate meaningful relationships and foster trust with fellow staff, volunteers, donors, board members, and community partners.
• Demonstrated capacity to foster a collaborative and close-knit team culture in a remote work environment, leveraging virtual tools and communication strategies to maintain strong connections, engagement, and productivity across geographically distributed staff.
• Openness to learning and practicing coaching skills within a team culture that values mentorship, supportive listening, and shared growth.
• Strong critical thinking skills and ability to identify opportunities and suggest solutions.
• Desire to continuously develop fundraising and communications knowledge and best practices, and to strengthen professional skills.
• High level of personal and professional integrity, with proven success in managing confidential and sensitive information.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a goal-oriented and proactive approach.
• Passion for ESC’s mission and a commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector.
• Strong dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• Ability to foster a collaborative and connected team culture in a remote work environment.
• High level of personal and professional integrity with experience handling confidential information.