Connections Partnership Coordinator

familyfutures2; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Futures is seeking a Partnership Coordinator to build and manage connections with families, healthcare providers, schools, and community organizations. You will develop referral pathways, grow participant engagement, and strengthen collaborations that improve access to developmental screenings and family support services.

This role emphasizes relationship-building, public speaking, and data-informed program improvement while supporting equitable outcomes for children aged 0–5 and their

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Communications, Education, Community Development, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in community engagement, partnership development, outreach, sales, account management, nonprofit programs, or related work.
• Experience building and maintaining professional relationships across multiple organizations.
• Understanding of family-serving systems, early childhood services, healthcare, education, or community resources.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community partners that serve families with young children.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for referral partners and community organizations.
• Identify opportunities to expand Connections' reach through new partnerships and referral pathways.
• Conduct regular outreach visits to community partners to strengthen engagement and collaboration.Maintain a partner engagement plan that includes communication, follow-up, and retention strategies.
• Support partner onboarding and training related to Connections services and referral processes.
• Increase referrals and family participation through strategic community partnerships.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, schools, childcare centers, home visiting programs, and social service agencies to connect eligible families to Connections services.
• Monitor referral trends and identify opportunities to improve enrollment and engagement.
• Work with program staff to reduce barriers that prevent families from accessing services.
• Support outreach initiatives that increase awareness of developmental screenings and resource navigation services.

Skills

Relationship-building

Public speaking

Communication

Independent work

Organizational skills

Data-driven decisions

MS Office & databases

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

Organization Description:

Family Futures’ mission is to shape a community in which all children are supported to reach their full potential. Our geographic focus is primarily Kent County with some services extending into other communities. We help children ages 0 through 5 by supporting parents, providing connections to resources and programs, and offering ways to monitor and enhance early childhood development. We believe in supporting our employees to be successful as well. Family Futures offers a strength-based, learning-driven, quality improvement-based culture that celebrates equity and diversity and an opportunity to grow while making an impact in your community. Family Futures values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

Position Overview

The Partnership Coordinator serves as the primary relationship-builder and community ambassador for the Connections Program. Through the Connections Program, we partner with families, healthcare providers, early childhood programs, schools, and community organizations to ensure children ages 0–5 receive developmental screenings, resource navigation, and support services that strengthen family well-being. This position is responsible for developing, strengthening, and managing partnerships that connect families with Connections services and increase access to developmental screenings, resource navigation, and family support.

The Partnership Coordinator will cultivate relationships with healthcare providers, schools, early childhood programs, community organizations, and other family-serving agencies to create referral pathways that increase family engagement and ensure children receive timely support.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys networking, public speaking, strategic relationship management, and community engagement while maintaining a strong focus on data, outcomes, and family impact. We believe that strong community partnerships create stronger outcomes for children and families. As a learning-driven and equity-centered organization, we value collaboration, innovation, and relationship-building as essential tools for community impact.

This position will require:

• Travel within the community using a personal vehicle.
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 25 lbs.
• Attendance at community events or meetings outside regular work hours.
• Use of a personal cell phone and reliable internet access (Family Futures does offer reimbursement up to a certain amount for this cost).

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Development & Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community partners that serve families with young children.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for referral partners and community organizations.
• Identify opportunities to expand Connections' reach through new partnerships and referral pathways.
• Conduct regular outreach visits to community partners to strengthen engagement and collaboration.Maintain a partner engagement plan that includes communication, follow-up, and retention strategies.
• Support partner onboarding and training related to Connections services and referral processes.
• Family Recruitment & Referral Growth
• Increase referrals and family participation through strategic community partnerships.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, schools, childcare centers, home visiting programs, and social service agencies to connect eligible families to Connections services.
• Monitor referral trends and identify opportunities to improve enrollment and engagement.
• Work with program staff to reduce barriers that prevent families from accessing services.
• Support outreach initiatives that increase awareness of developmental screenings and resource navigation services.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Represent Family Futures and the Connections Program at community meetings, coalitions, workgroups, and events.
• Deliver presentations and educational sessions to community partners and stakeholders.
• Coordinate community outreach efforts that align with program goals and target populations.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to develop materials and messaging that clearly communicate the value of Connections services.
• Gather community feedback to inform program improvements and service delivery.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Track partnership activities, outreach efforts, and engagement metrics.
• Maintain accurate records of partner contacts, meetings, and outcomes.
• Analyze referral and enrollment data to identify gaps and opportunities for growth.
• Collaborate with program leadership on strategic outreach and engagement initiatives.
• Participate in quality improvement efforts focused on increasing family access and engagement.

Education & Experience

Family Futures values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees and families are treated with dignity and respect.

We welcome candidates with diverse educational and professional backgrounds. A strong candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Communications, Education, Community Development, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in community engagement, partnership development, outreach, sales, account management, nonprofit programs, or related work.
• Experience building and maintaining professional relationships across multiple organizations.
• Understanding of family-serving systems, early childhood services, healthcare, education, or community resources.

Equivalent combinations of education, professional experience, and lived experience will be considered.

Required Skills

• Exceptional relationship-building and networking abilities.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Data-informed decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and database systems.
• Cultural humility and ability to engage diverse communities.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel throughout the service area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the early childhood landscape in Kent County and surrounding communities.
• Experience working with healthcare providers, schools, childcare programs, or community-based organizations.
• Experience with referral systems, outreach campaigns, or community organizing.
• Bilingual skills, particularly Spanish-English.
• Familiarity with developmental screening programs and family support services.

Success in This Role

A successful Partnership Coordinator will:

• Build trusted relationships with community organizations and referral partners.
• Increase the number of families connected to Connections services.
• Strengthen referral pipelines and community awareness.
• Help ensure families access developmental screenings and support earlier.
• Serve as a visible and respected representative of Family Futures throughout the community.

The job description is intended to provide the employee with a general, broad understanding of the job’s responsibilities, and not necessarily to specify all activities and responsibilities.