Director of Partnerships

The Youth Project; California; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Youth Project is seeking a Director of Partnerships in King City, CA. This full-time, exempt role leads funding growth and external program partnerships, reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CEO in interim).

You will oversee the Grants Writer, manage a 12–18 month pipeline, and build relationships with foundations, government entities, and school districts. Responsibilities include coordinating grant strategy, donor cultivation with 15–25 touches per quarter, MOUs, program

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field or combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years in fundraising, grants management, partnership development, or nonprofit business development.
• Proven track record securing five- and six-figure grants or sponsorships.
• Experience managing relationships with institutional funders, school districts, municipalities, or CBOs.
• Strong written communication with ability to edit proposals and partnership agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead TYP’s grant strategy across foundation, government, and corporate opportunities.
• Supervise the Grant Writer and manage deadlines.
• Build and maintain a 12–18 month grants and gifts pipeline in CRM.
• Cultivate major donors and sponsors with 15–25 touches per quarter.
• Plan and execute at least one signature fundraising event per fiscal year.
• Manage existing program partnerships, MOUs, and contracted providers.
• Negotiate and execute new partnership MOUs with CEO/COO coordination.
• Co-develop funding plans with the COO for new programs before launch.
• Represent TYP at community meetings, partner convenings, and donor events.
• Ensure 100% on-time reporting on awarded grants and gifts.

Skills

Fundraising

Grant writing

Relationship management

Proposal editing

CRM proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

Grants management platforms

MS Office / Google Workspace

Job description

Director of Partnerships

King City, CA

• $75,000–$95,000/yr DOE/DOQ
• Full-time, exempt
• Reports to CDO (CEO in interim)
• Supervises Grant Writer

The Director of Partnerships is a dual-pillar leadership role at The Youth Project. The position carries equal responsibility for (1) building and stewarding TYP’s funding portfolio — foundation grants, major gifts, sponsorships, and fundraising events — and (2) developing and managing TYP’s external program partnerships with school districts, municipalities, community-based organizations, and program providers (including Monterey Bay Aquarium, regional CBOs, and contracted service partners). The role exists to grow non-district revenue and expand the program partnerships that make TYP’s youth services possible. The CDO seat remains open; in the interim, this role reports directly to the CEO.

What you’ll do

• Lead TYP’s grant strategy — foundation, government, and corporate opportunities aligned with youth development, mental health, and community programs
• Supervise the Grant Writer (employed or contracted); assign opportunities, review drafts, hold deadlines
• Build and maintain a 12–18 month grants and gifts pipeline tracked in CRM
• Cultivate major donors and sponsors with a cadence of 15–25 touches per quarter
• Plan and execute at least one signature fundraising event per fiscal year
• Manage existing TYP program partnerships, including school district MOUs and contracted providers
• Negotiate and execute new partnership MOUs in coordination with the CEO and COO
• Co‑develop funding plans with the COO for new programs prior to launch
• Represent TYP at community meetings, partner convenings, and donor events
• Ensure 100% on‑time reporting on awarded grants and gifts

What we’re looking for

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience
• 5+ years in fundraising, grants management, partnership development, or nonprofit business development
• Demonstrated track record securing five- and six-figure grants or sponsorships
• Experience managing relationships with institutional funders, school districts, municipalities, or CBOs
• Strong written communication; ability to write or substantively edit proposals and partnership agreements
• Proficiency with CRM tools, grants management platforms, and Microsoft Office / Google Workspace
• Experience in Monterey County or Central Coast nonprofit ecosystem preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Familiarity with ELO-P or school-based mental health funding streams preferred

Required before start

• DOJ and FBI Live Scan clearance
• TB clearance
• Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Form I-9 verification
• Mandated reporter (CANRA) training within 30 days of hire