Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability. At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success.

Position Summary

The Director of Partnership is a full-time, key role that will work collaboratively with local and regional partners to ensure aligned vision and execution of the work supporting young people. The Director of Partnership, reporting to the Associate Vice President of Place-Based Partnerships: Sustaining & Thriving, is responsible for implementing continuous improvement strategies while maintaining a results-driven frame to inform and accelerate outcomes. The Director of Partnerships will be a resident leader responsible for aligning partners and operationalizing programs, activities, and services. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide leadership to the Place-Based partnership aligning resources and services to accelerate cradle-to-career outcomes for young people in the region

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to build capacity among stakeholders

• Lead and support local and regional policy work related to cradle-to-career initiatives

• Collaborate with PRI Appalachia Leadership Team to identify strategic partnerships that enhance program development, address resource gaps, and expand opportunities for cradle-to-career success

• Convene the Partnership to create a resident-informed plan

• Monitor, evaluate, and adjust strategies as needed in collaboration with the partnership's leadership table

• Foster strong cross-functional relationships by regularly engaging with different departments (such as Communications and Data Evaluation) to develop comprehensive strategies

• Provide oversight, coaching, and mentoring to direct reports

• Develop partnerships with individuals and organizations that accelerate outcomes for young people, ensuring alignment with PRI's mission and goals

• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed

Position Location & Schedule

The position will be located primarily in Inez, KY, but may be considered for hybrid work with local, state, and sometimes national travel required.

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Master’s degree required in education, business, social work, or related field

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Five years' experience in federal or state grants management

• Five years' experience in supervision and personnel management

• Demonstrated success in a complex, fast-paced, high-performing organization, with the ability to prioritize projects and work cross-functionally

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with federal, state, and local officials to inform, develop and implement policy accelerating outcomes for students, families, and communities

• Demonstrated project management experience with a focus on systems alignment, direct services, capacity building and budgeting

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Superior interpersonal and organizational skills

• Collaborative and collegial leadership style

• Demonstrated ability to cross boundaries of race, class, ethnic origin and personal philosophy; capacity to work effectively with a broad range of constituencies

• The skills to effectively represent Partners for Rural Impact in meetings for sharing knowledge, collaborating and building partnerships

• Competencies to effectively supervise staff and consultants

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid driver’s license

• Successfully complete pre-employment background check

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work in a high energy office

• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs

• Ability to travel independently by car and plane regionally and nationally

• Ability to operate standard office equipment

• Ability to operate motor vehicle

Environmental conditions:

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities
  

Additional Company Information

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family.

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.

• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.

• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.

• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.