Director of Strategic Relationships

Description

Under the direct supervision of the Vice President of Strategic Relationships, the Director of Strategic Relationships oversees the cultivation and maintenance of relationships with strategic partners, community members, and organizations throughout the regions MFH serves. The Director creates strategies for building healthy and trusting relationships and leads a team of Community Liaisons who serve as the Foundation’s presence in defined geographical areas. In collaboration with the team of liaisons, the Director represents the Foundation to key audiences within the community, communicates about Foundation strategy with external partners, contributes to key relationship initiatives, and brings knowledge of communities’ culture, history, values, and landscape to bear in Foundation decisions at all levels.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and maintain a deep and grounded understanding of the issues that affect the health and well-being of Missourians across diverse geographies, and the factors that promote or detract from equitable health outcomes
• Provide guidance to identify, cultivate, and sustain relationships with organizations, leaders, and networks whose missions and capacities are strategically aligned with the Foundation’s goals, and foster opportunities for collaboration and coalition-building to advance systems-level change.
• Function as a thought partner with the Vice President of Strategic Relationships in developing and evolving team and Foundation strategy within the area of relationship building and the strategic utilization of the Community Liaison team and strategists.
• Lead, engage, and manage the Community Liaison team to effectively serve as ambassadors for the Foundation and cultivate relationships that help advance the Foundation’s mission to transform systems and catalyze health equity.
• Partner with Vice President to clarify, document, and operationalize the evolving role of Community Liaisons.
• Maintain an understanding of all Strategic Relationships tools, initiatives, and community-facing workstreams to enable cross-functional integration.
• Supervise and guide the professional development of Community Liaisons, including providing mentorship, technical training, and day-to-day oversight of their performance. Delegate responsibility where appropriate.
• Network and engage with other philanthropies to learn about innovations in community engagement and strategic relationship development, and to share MFH’s model and ways of working with others in the philanthropic sector.
• Function as an ambassador for MFH by demonstrating integrity, professionalism, commitment, and humility by actions and decisions, and instill these values within the team.
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility, critical thinking, and sound judgement in all matters to safeguard MFH resources—financial, reputational, and human.
• Manage and triage external meeting, funding, and partnership requests on behalf of the Vice President when appropriate; delegate and track assignments across the team.
• Participate in team activities and complete diverse assignments in support of team goals.
• Perform general Foundation support activities and carry out special projects as required.
• Adhere to the Foundation’s core and staff values.
• Other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain strong cross-departmental coordination and support Strategic Relationships staff in executing changemaking tools and engagement strategies in alignment with MFH’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Provide regular feedback, development coaching, intentional delegation, and performance management to build staff capacity, reinforce accountability, and ensure effective delivery of departmental goals

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Education: Master’s Degree in Public Health, Public Policy, Public Administration, Urban Studies/Planning, Social Sciences, or related field preferred
• Experience: Minimum 8 years of relevant work experience in community relations, philanthropy, public sector, or health related field required; including minimum of 3 years of leadership and supervisory responsibility
• Proven track record of designing and managing cross-sector strategies, coalitions, or engagement frameworks
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, including performance development and delegation
• Experience navigating organizational change and building strong internal systems or operations
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage diverse partners and build trust
• Proven ability to design and implement systems that improve coordination, intake, and strategic follow-up
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills, including leading meetings and representing the organization externally
• Ability to think at both the systems and operational levels, with sound judgment and strategic foresight
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite and grant management systems (e.g. Salesforce, Temelio, or similar)

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT DEMANDS:

The physical and work environment demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the position responsibilities. This position requires the ability to work in a traditional office environment and to use standard office equipment, including a computer. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, bend, and move about the office. The role may require occasionally lifting or moving items up to 10 pounds.

This position also requires travel throughout the Missouri Foundation for Health service region (20-25%), including periodic travel to meet with Community Liaisons in their assigned regions. Travel may also include attendance at community meetings, site visits, or external convenings. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be necessary to accommodate events or partner engagements. This position is open as a hybrid position for those within the St. Louis region, with remote considerations for those within 130 miles of the Greater St. Louis Region.

Salary Description

Starting at $110,210 - $124,218