Strategic Partnerships Business Development Consultant (B2B) | Contractor Role

• • Contractor: Strategic Business Development & Partnerships Consultant (B2B)
  • Location: Columbus, OH
  • Contract Term: 6–9 months, with potential for renewal
  • Travel Required: Frequent travel within the Columbus, OH region
  • Time Commitment: 15 hours/week or 60 hours/month
  • Compensation: Retainer + Signed agreement bonuses
  • Monthly base rate plus performance-based payments for each signed agreement with employer partner (details below)
  • Pre-approved travel expenses for conferences, events, meetings, including conference tickets, travel, and accommodations.
  • Compensation details will be discussed during the interview process.

About Commonwealth

Commonwealth is a national nonprofit building financial security and opportunity for financially vulnerable people through innovation and partnerships. Our work has influenced more than 3 million people and led to policy change and product innovations across industries.

About Benefits for the Future

“Benefits for the Future” (BFF) initiative, supported by JPMorganChase, aims to expand access to high-quality intentional workplace benefits by collaborating with forward-thinking employers to explore and improve offerings related to financial stability, debt reduction, and wealth-building. Commonwealth has a successful track record with some of the nation's top employers and the financial and consultancies that support them works with employers, HR leaders, benefit providers, and advocates to create more inclusive benefit solutions particularly for low- and moderate-income workers.

Role Overview

Commonwealth is seeking a Columbus-based contractor to lead strategic employer engagement for its Benefits for the Future (BFF) initiative. This role focuses on cultivating high-impact partnerships with HR and business leaders—particularly Chief People Officers, CHROs, and CFOs—across mid-to-large employers in the Columbus region.

Ideal for a connector with deep roots in the employer and HR ecosystem, the contractor will drive B2B relationship development and help expand access to inclusive financial security solutions in the workplace. Candidates should bring experience in new business development and strategic partnerships, along with a clear passion for workplace employee financial wellbeing.

The contractor will collaborate closely with Commonwealth’s team and benefit from access to:

• • A curated list of target companies and decision-makers
  • Strategic guidance on partnership goals
  • Opportunities to represent the initiative at high-value events
  • Subject matter expertise and support during meetings
  • Initiative materials, value proposition, and more.

This is a high-autonomy, high-impact role for a mission-aligned professional who knows how to open doors and build lasting partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

This role will support the growth of our Benefits for the Future (BFF) initiative by identifying, cultivating, and securing meaningful partnerships with employers committed to inclusive financial security for their workforce. We are seeking a contractor with a proven track record in business-to-business (B2B) new partnership development, particularly someone who can act as a connector, facilitating introductions between Commonwealth and senior business leaders in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Key Qualifications

• • Deep experience in B2B new relationship building, especially with mid-to-large employers (5,000+ employees)
  • An existing portfolio or network of executive-level contacts, ideally including:
  • Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs)
  • Chief People Officers
  • Chief Financial Officers (CFOs)
  • Head of Talent
  • Familiarity with employee benefits, financial wellness programs, or workplace innovation
  • Ability to represent Commonwealth’s mission and value proposition clearly and compellingly
  • Experience in new business development and strategic partnerships preferred

Scope of Work

• • Actively source and connect with potential employer partners for BFF
  • Leverage existing executive-level relationships to open doors
  • Support preparation and refinement of outreach materials, messaging, and pitch decks
  • Advise on partnership strategy and ensure alignment with employer interests
  • Provide insight into employer needs, motivations, and potential barriers to entry
  • Guide and secure relationship to a signed formal agreement and scope of work

Payment Structure

This is a performance-based contractor role with a two-part compensation structure:

• • A monthly base rate to support ongoing relationship-building and outreach efforts.
  • Additional payments for each signed legal agreement that establishes a formal partnership with:
  • A Commonwealth-priority company, or
  • A company with a large frontline workforce (e.g., 5,000+ U.S. employees or with significant Columbus, OH regional presence).
  • Other strategic partners as mutually agreed upon

BFF Partnership Criteria & Engagement Definitions

Stages

Nurture – The new business development consultant has initiated contact with a targeted- employer and has set up an initial meeting with a decision maker in the organization; preferably in the HR/Benefits side (e.g. Head of Total Rewards, Global Head of Benefits, Sr. Director of Benefits) to explore BFF collaboration opportunities.

Signed Agreement – A formal partnership has been established with a signed legal agreement.

Employer Criteria

• • Industry Leaders
  • 5,000+ employees
  • Significant portion earn under $75,000 per year (e.g. 50%)
  • Columbus-based

Qualifications

• • Located in or near Columbus, OH, with the ability to attend in-person meetings and events as needed
  • 10+ years of experience in business development including new business development, employer engagement, or corporate partnerships
  • Familiarity with B2B partner networks, including connections to decision-makers such as CHROs, Chief People Officers, and CFOs
  • An established or growing network within the employer ecosystem in Columbus in the Columbus region and broader Midwest business community
  • Proven success initiating, managing, and deepening partnerships across sectors, particularly within mid- to large-sized companies
  • Excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Experience working with or alongside nonprofits, social impact initiatives, or mission-driven organizations is a plus
  • Ability to self-direct, prioritize competing needs, and manage multiple touchpoints across stakeholders
  • Willingness to travel within the Columbus region for meetings, events, or employer convenings