Vice President of Place-Based Partnerships

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 Vice President (VP) of Place-Based Partnerships is a full-time senior leadership role reporting to the Executive Vice President (EVP) is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing strategies to advance PRI’s place-based partnership initiatives. This role involves coaching and guiding leaders in fostering collaborative partnerships with local stakeholders, including community organizations, government entities, businesses, and residents. The VP will work to identify needs, create opportunities, drive long-term impact, and improve population-level outcomes in designated geographies. Additionally, the VP will lead efforts to align community goals, resources, and actions across communities, working toward shared outcomes that enhance the well-being of the area. 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.

• Develop and execute place-based strategies aligned with PRI’s mission to address the unique needs of each community served
• Monitor, evaluate, and adjust place-based strategies to ensure progress toward goals and improved outcomes
• Advocate for PRI’s place-based strategy, influencing policymakers and expanding partnerships at local and national levels
• Build and maintain relationships with community stakeholders, including organizations, government entities, businesses, and residents
• Guide local leaders in fostering collaborative partnerships to address community needs and opportunities.
• Align community goals, resources, and actions across stakeholders, working toward shared outcomes that enhance well-being
• Oversee PRI teams involved in place-based partnerships, ensuring progress toward population-level outcomes and alignment with PRI’s overall goals
• Advocate for PRI’s place-based strategy, influencing policymakers and expanding partnerships at local and national levels.
• Track, report, and communicate the progress and impact of place-based initiatives to internal and external stakeholders
• Develop sustainable place-based partnerships, securing resources and continuously improving strategies to maximize impact
• 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 considered for remote 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:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Education, Business Administration Management, or a related field

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• 10+ years in senior leadership roles within nonprofit organizations, particularly in community development, place-based initiatives, or partnerships
• Proven experience in developing and executing strategies focused on place-based or community-driven initiatives with measurable impact
• Experience leading and managing cross-functional teams, including experience in coaching and developing leaders within the organization
• Significant experience working with diverse stakeholders, including community organizations, government entities, businesses, and other local stakeholders
• Experience in advocacy and influencing public policy, particularly related to rural communities, social impact, or community development
• Experience overseeing multi-site or geographically distributed teams, ensuring programs are delivered on time, within budget, and achieve the intended impact
• Familiarity with securing funding, including through grants, for place-based or community-based initiatives

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Ability to align organizational goals with long-term priorities and drive performance
• Expertise in managing complex, cross-functional initiatives and ensuring timely execution
• Proven ability to influence and lead teams without direct authority
• Strong capability to identify and implement improvements to streamline processes and enhance productivity
• Skilled in cultivating and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Navigating organizational dynamics and managing sensitive issues
• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for advising leadership and coordinating initiatives
• Ability to thrive in ambiguous environments and lead through change

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

Compensation:

Hiring range is $168,000 - $196,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications

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.