Director of Community Partnerships and Talent

About Lead For AmericaLead For America (LFA) is dedicated to providing place-based service opportunities to local individuals to help mission-driven organizations advance solutions that are informed by place and responsive to community. The American Connection Corps (ACC), launched by LFA in 2021, is an AmeriCorps service program focused on closing the digital divide in digitally disconnected communities. Supported by a broad coalition of partners including AmeriCorps and major corporations, ACC has members serving in 30+ states across the country. Department Context:The Community Partnerships & Talent team leads the strategy and execution of how Lead For America activates local talent and builds the partnerships in the community where we work. The team operates in close collaboration across the organization to ensure alignment between community needs, program delivery, and strategic growth.They partner closely with the Programs team to maintain a continuous, year-round feedback loop that aligns partnership development and talent strategy with programmatic priorities for ACC and emerging programs. The team also works alongside Marketing and Communications to clearly articulate and refine the organization’s value proposition, with Development to ensure alignment with grant requirements and funding strategy, and with Government Relations to identify opportunities for public sector partnership and expansion.This team operates at the intersection of:Community and Host Site needsLocal talent developmentMission-aligned partnershipsThe department is responsible for building and sustaining a place-based ecosystem where:Community organizations (host sites) serve as partners and co-creators of impactMembers are recruited from and activated within their communitiesSystems and strategies align talent supply with community demandRole Expectations:The Director serves as the organization's strategic leader for community partnership growth and talent activation, ensuring Lead For America develops the relationships, systems, and talent pipelines necessary to expand its impact in communities nationwide. This role reframes traditional recruitment into a two-sided, mission-driven system:Community partners (host sites) who define needs and co-invest in solutionsLocal talent (members) who bring lived experience and leadershipThe Director is responsible for:Building and scaling a national portfolio of community-based host site partnershipsDeveloping and implementing a place-based partnership strategy by analyzing current and recent cohorts to identify priority regions, technical sectors, and other considerations, enabling more focused and strategic recruitment and partnership effortsDesigning place-based talent pipelines aligned with those partnerships for meaningful immediate-term, medium-term, and long-term outcomesEnsuring strong alignment between community-defined needs and talent placementLeading a team of Managers that deliver on both impact and sustainability goalsReporting to the COO, this role serves as a key strategic partner to senior leadership, funders, and cross-functional teams.What You’ll Do:1. Community Partnership Development & Strategy (Host Sites) – 30%Lead a mission-aligned approach to identifying, engaging, and securing host site partnerships.Develop and implement a national partnership strategy aligned with programmatic, geographic, and funding prioritiesBuild and manage a robust pipeline of host site partners across nonprofits, government, and local institutionsLead a consultative, relationship-centered approach to partnership development (not transactional sales)Identify priority regions and sectors in collaboration with Programs, Development, and Government Relations teamsRepresent LFA at conferences, convenings, and community events to expand partnershipsDesign and refine outreach strategies (campaigns, webinars, referrals, ecosystem partnerships)Ensure partnership models support both community impact and financial sustainability2. Partnership Stewardship & Host Site Success – 20%Ensure host sites are engaged as long-term partners and set up for successBuild and oversee systems for partner onboarding, engagement, and retentionEstablish a host site success framework, including training, tools, and ongoing supportCollaborate with Program teams to ensure host sites can effectively support membersCreate feedback loops to continuously improve the partner experienceDevelop long-term relationships that extend beyond single program cycles3. Community Talent Strategy & Member Recruitment – 25%Lead a place-based approach to recruiting and selecting members aligned with community needsDesign and execute a community-centered talent strategy aligned with host site demandEnsure recruitment prioritizes locally rooted, diverse candidates reflective of the communities servedOversee a pipeline of candidates in the local markets LFA serves, improving both quality and alignmentBuild partnerships with associations, workfo