Director of Strategic Partnerships

Open Communities Alliance (OCA) seeks a Director of Strategic Partnerships.  This new position is ideal for an experienced, mission-driven advocate ready to lead, coordinate, and support OCA’s strategic partnerships and outreach efforts to counteract the history of segregation and its impact in Connecticut. The Director of Strategic Partnerships will build on OCA’s racial justice framework to bring truly desegregating housing choices to Connecticut.

Working with the broader OCA team, the Director of Strategic Partnerships’ responsibilities will include strategy development and implementation, institution building, solidification and cultivation of partnerships, initiation and expansion of OCA campaigns, oversight and development of OCA’s statewide Coalition and Town Ambassador Program, management of client services, oversight of social media, communications and messaging, management of media relationships, and, critically, resource development and fundraising. During an initial growth period, the person in this position will help to lead OCA’s campaign to address exclusionary zoning and promote city reinvestment.

The ideal candidate is an adaptable leader with strong interpersonal skills, self-motivation, a record of success supporting a principal, an eye for detail, experience with and an understanding, preferably in the Connecticut context, of fundraising/development, political dynamics and the media. They also operate with a strong equity and diversity lens, contributing to organizational values of objectivity, integrity, civility and diversity and supporting the inclusive culture of OCA.

If you are an experienced advocate and a strong leader who has a passionate belief that Connecticut must achieve greater equity and opportunity in housing - and if you want to work with a passionate, dynamic, and supportive team - we hope you will apply!

OCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. 

We seek to build diversity, equity and inclusion both within our organization and in partnership and allyship with the communities we serve.

About Open Communities Alliance

Open Communities Alliance  is a Connecticut-based civil rights organization that promotes access to opportunity for all people through education, organizing, advocacy, research, and partnerships. The Alliance works to build an urban-suburban interracial coalition to support policies that lead to housing choice.  Since its founding in 2013, OCA has been and continues to be an effective catalyst in achieving impact by researching and documenting root causes of segregation, engaging and empowering families, exploring solutions and best practices, educating stakeholders and, finally, advocating for change. OCA has an established track record of successful substantive projects, collaborations, legal challenges, and publications throughout its history.  Our work is anchored around Research/Data, Legal Advocacy, and Outreach/Community Organizing.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Strategic Partnerships will partner with the Executive Director on the following activities for OCA. These will include:

Organizational Growth and Administration

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop and implement a plan that seamlessly integrates outreach, fundraising, communications, partnership development, and program messaging to increase OCA’s visibility to external audiences; reach new and diverse audiences and stakeholders; grow OCA’s effectiveness and influence; and enhance understanding of and financial support for the organization’s work. 
• Supervise, mentor, and manage the work of the  Community Organizer & Outreach Coordinator. 

Communications/Public Relations/Outreach

• With input from the full OCA team, envision and implement a strategy for a multi-year outreach and messaging campaign to advance OCA’s mission.
• Developing communications strategies that seamlessly integrate advocacy, development, legal initiatives, marketing and program messaging to increase OCA’s visibility to external audiences.
• Oversee the development of written communications, marketing materials and electronic marketing across multiple platforms such as the web, social media, print and digital publications, and other public relations and marketing vehicles.
• Monitor marketing trends and content relevant to OCA's mission, and translate information into compelling, actionable and effective strategies.
• Work with staff across the organization to integrate communications, branding and programs into fundraising strategies and activities, as appropriate.
• Manage the updating and ongoing development of OCA’s website, working with other relevant staff and consultants.
• Support public events, outreach efforts, and organizing in collaboration with OCA’s  Community Organizer & Outreach Coordinator and other staff.
• Maintain and expand OCA’s media relationships.
• Develop the vision for and oversee the implementation of OCA’s social media and constituent communications strategy.
• Manage the development and expansion of OCA’s statewide Coalition and Town Ambassador Program.

Development (supported by a development consultant and/or other staff):

• Drive the overall development efforts for OCA, including garnering support from local and national foundations, major gifts, and individual supporters. 
• Support the Executive Director in the development and partnership building processes, including drafting of proposals and reports, management of all development systems and gifts, and leadership on fundraising campaigns.
• For quarterly board of directors’ meetings, provide support and reporting and work with board members to support their individual engagement (whether events, strategy, etc.).
• Work with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, develop systems to advance prospecting of new fundraising contacts and support convenings.
• Monitor key trends and development relevant to OCA, sharing key reports, articles, and sources with the Executive Director.

Client Services

• In partnership with other staff, fine tune, and in some cases expand, OCA’s client services, including support of mobility counseling efforts statewide.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Exceptional management, analytic, leadership, presentation, research, and written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to troubleshoot, multitask and manage several projects at once.
• Attention to detail is critical for this position.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, including experience partnering with a principal.
• Experience managing a diverse and highly skilled team with capacity to give and receive feedback graciously.
• Ability to rally support, spearhead initiatives and work as both a member of a dedicated team and as an independent self-starter.
• Excellent time management skills, ability to prioritize, work well and be collegial under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and drive, creative problem solver, high degree of professionalism, and a “can do” attitude.
• Passionate for and demonstrated commitment to the mission and core values of OCA.
• Experience working with diverse communities across race, economic, ethnic, political and geographic boundaries.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 7-10+ years of operational experience in a complex organization required; background in fundraising/development, communications, political campaigning and/or organizing strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree preferred. 
• Must be fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, unless medically unadvisable.

This is a full-time position. Occasional nights and weekends required. Strong preference for candidates who can be present in Connecticut for meetings and events and have connections to Connecticut communities.

Salary is commensurate with experience and is between $85,000 to $100,000 annually. Excellent benefits, including medical and dental insurance, 15 vacation days (increasing to 21 days after the first year), 15 sick days, 3 personal days, 2 flex-holidays and 11 standard holidays, along with a 401K retirement plan with a contribution from OCA.

To Apply:

Please send a resume and detailed cover letter explaining why you’re interested in this role and why you feel it’s a good fit (or what skills, experience and capacities you would bring to this work) to [email protected] with the subject line: [Your Name] – Director of Strategic Partnerships. No phone calls please.