Director of External Partnerships

Schwarzman Scholars; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Schwarzman Scholars seeks a visionary, results-oriented leader to shape and execute its external partnerships strategy with employers, donors, and programmatic organizations. You will craft and implement a comprehensive vision for the growth of employer relationships (domestic and international), steward philanthropic partnerships, and expand programming opportunities for Schwarzman Scholars and alumni/ae.

Reporting to the CEO, you will build lasting relationships with global organizations and

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in stakeholder engagement, career and/or fundraising/external relations.
• Proven ability to cultivate and manage high‑level employer, donor and external partnerships.
• Strong data analysis and outcome reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Designs and leads a global employer engagement strategy with domestic and international partners.
• Oversees donor development, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Designs and delivers programming that engages employers, partners, and Scholars.
• Conducts market insights and analyzes data to optimize engagement strategies.
• Serves as strategic thought partner to senior leadership and supports fundraising goals.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Donor development

Partnerships

Data analysis

Strategic planning

Communication

Job description

Schwarzman Scholars seeks a visionary, results-oriented leader to shape and execute its external partnerships strategy with employers, donors, and programmatic organizations. In this pivotal role, you will craft and implement a comprehensive vision for the growth of employer relationships (domestic and international), steward philanthropic partnerships, and expand programming opportunities for Schwarzman Scholars and alumni/ae.

Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with Directors of Career Services and Global Alumni Engagement, you will be responsible for building lasting relationships with global public, private and non-profit organizations to employ our graduates. You will also work to build strong relationships with academic institutions, think tanks and research institutes with whom the Program can partner on continuous education and training programming for our alumni/ae focused on our three programmatic pillars of leadership, global affairs, and China. Finally, you will work with the CEO to drive institutional fundraising efforts and donor engagement, leveraging data, market insights, and global trends to ensure long-term organizational impact and sustainability.

About The Organization

Schwarzman Scholars is a fully-funded, one-year master’s degree program in global affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. An unparalleled learning experience, it is the first scholarship of its kind created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century and designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders.

Each year, around 150 candidates from around the world are selected to join a diverse cohort. Schwarzman Scholars seeks candidates with leadership qualities and the potential to foster crosscultural understanding. Scholars come from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds, such as business, technology, politics, healthcare, and more.

Schwarzman Scholars’ dynamic curriculum–based on the pillars of China, leadership, and global affairs–is designed to provide Scholars with the knowledge, skills, and firsthand experience needed to navigate the complexities of the evolving global landscape. Through an immersive experience in China, Scholars spend a year living in Beijing, studying at the prestigious Tsinghua University under the guidance of leading academics and global thought leaders.

Schwarzman Scholars was established in 2013 by Founding Trustee Stephen A. Schwarzman and Tsinghua University. Schwarzman Scholars aspires to create a global network of leaders who will shape the future.

Major Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnerships & Employer Engagement: Designs and leads a global employer engagement strategy that creates meaningful career pathways for Scholars and alumni. Builds and sustains cross-sector partnerships domestically and internationally to expand opportunities for our graduates. This work will include overseeing technology platforms used for employer outreach, sourcing and posting job opportunities/recruiting events, maintaining contacts and an employer CRM system, moderating employer-Scholar employment sessions, and providing strategic regional insights to Scholars about employment opportunities. Collaborates with internal teams in New York and Beijing to drive and align employer engagement efforts with strategic goals.
• Donor Development & Fundraising: Serves as the primary relationship manager for individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners. Develops and implements strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Represents Schwarzman Scholars externally to elevate visibility, strengthen credibility, and attract new programmatic and financial supporters.
• Program Design & Delivery: Designs and delivers innovative programming that engages employers, partners, and Scholars, creating mutual value and sustained impact. Continuously assesses, refines, and streamlines business processes to maximize efficiency and elevate stakeholder experience.
• Research & Market Insight: Conducts ongoing research into marketplace employment trends, programmatic priorities, and global issues impacting graduate-level education foundations, aligning these trends and priorities with Schwarzman Scholars’ mission. Analyzes data and key performance metrics to optimize engagement strategies.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture grounded in growth and measurable outcomes. Serves as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership, contributing to long-term planning and organizational vision.

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in stakeholder engagement, career and/or business development, fundraising and external relations.
• Proven ability to cultivate and manage high-level relationships with employers, donors and external partners.
• Skilled in data analysis and outcome reporting, with a demonstrated ability to adapt strategy based on results.
• Sophisticated interpersonal skills, including discretion, empathy, and judgment, and able to navigate sensitive or high-profile situations with professionalism.
• Deep understanding of and commitment to Schwarzman Scholars’ mission and its role in strengthening global leadership through education.
• A record of accomplishment for building strong alliances and coalitions with organizations that share common objectives globally.
• Global mindset and cultural sensitivity with demonstrated success navigating complex, multicultural environments with members and volunteers located in myriad regions across the world.
• International experience highly desirable. Knowledge and experience working on China-related issues, including Chinese language skills, a plus.