Senior Manager - Strategic Partnership

Houston-Galveston Area Council; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston-Galveston Area Council is seeking a strategic leader to partner with executive leadership to shape and implement organizational strategy, grow regional engagement, and secure funding.

You will lead cross-functional teams, expand partnerships with employers, educational institutions, and civic partners, and drive grant development to support Gulf Coast Workforce Board priorities.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in strategy, partnerships, public sector, community outreach, development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing strategic partnerships across community, employer, nonprofit, civic, and institutional stakeholders.
• Experience with public and private grants, grant development, resource development, or related funding initiatives preferred.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and represent the organization with diverse external partners.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Partner with executive leadership to shape and implement organizational strategy and priority initiatives.
• Employer & Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and lead an employer engagement strategy to strengthen relationships with regional businesses and partners.
• Resource Development & Growth: Identify and pursue grant opportunities and other resources to support regional workforce priorities.
• Organizational Positioning & Messaging: Oversee the alignment of organizational messaging and external positioning.
• Cross-Organizational Collaboration: Work across departments to align strategy with programs and external engagement efforts.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Partnership development

Grant development

Public sector experience

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Preferred: Government/Public Administration degree

Job description

About Houston-Galveston Area Council

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country with a diverse service area of 13 counties and more than 7 million people. We are the pulse of our region addressing issues that cross city limits and county lines every single day.

We make decisions that affect our transportation system, ensure the safety and well-being of our seniors, connect people to jobs, help families recover from natural disasters, preserve water quality for our children, and so much more. We work to make the region a great place to live, work, and thrive.

What will I be doing?

• Strategic Leadership: Partner with executive leadership to shape and implement organizational strategy and priority initiatives. Identify opportunities to expand impact, partnerships, regional engagement, and funding aligned with regional workforce goals. Lead cross-functional initiatives that advance organizational visibility, positioning, and outcomes.


• Employer & Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and lead an employer engagement strategy to strengthen relationships with regional businesses and industry partners. Cultivate high-level partnerships across employers, community organizations, educational institutions, civic and institutional partners. Lead outreach and convening efforts around shared regional workforce priorities. Represent the organization at community and regional convenings, industry events, collaborative forums, and strategic meetings.


• Resource Development & Growth: Identify and pursue public and private grant opportunities and other resources that support Gulf Coast Workforce Board priorities and regional workforce initiatives. Support grant development, partner cultivation, and funding strategies that expand organizational capacity and impact. Coordinate with leadership and internal teams to align funding opportunities with strategic priorities and long-term goals.


• Organizational Positioning & Messaging: Oversee the alignment of organizational messaging, branding, and external positioning and visibility. Ensure clarity and consistency in how the organization presents its mission, impact, and initiatives. Support executive leadership in external engagements, presentations, and strategic opportunities that strengthen awareness of the organization and its work.


• Cross-Organizational Collaboration: Work across departments to ensure alignment between strategy, programs, community outreach, development, and external engagement efforts. Provide guidance and support to internal teams on partnership development and stakeholder engagement. Serve as a key connector between leadership, programs, and external partners.

Key Qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in strategy, partnerships, public sector, community outreach, development, or related fields.


• Demonstrated success in building and managing strategic partnerships across community, employer, nonprofit, civic, and institutional stakeholders.


• Experience with public and private grants, grant development, resource development, or related funding initiatives preferred.


• Strong executive presence with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and represent the organization with diverse external partners.


• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a dynamic environment.


• Strong understanding of workforce development, public service, community engagement, and regional partnership ecosystems.


• Aptitude for collaborative teamwork within a diverse and dynamic environment.

Do you have…

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable academic discipline or related field of study.


• 5 years of experience working with local government, nonprofit programs, school, or in job-related duties.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Government, Public Administration, Community Development, Business, or related field of study; OR


• In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, 10 years or more of progressively responsible experience in public service, community outreach, strategic partnerships, grant or resource development, regional initiatives, or closely related job duties.

H‑GAC is an equal opportunity/AA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or protected veteran status.

All employees of H‑GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in service of our region.

H‑GAC is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, or protected veteran status.