Director of Partnerships & Institutional Relations

About the Role

TPCA is seeking a strategic, relationship‑savvy Volunteer Director of Partnerships & Institutional Relations to lead the organization’s most important external relationships. This role stewards national coalitions, institutional partners, and formal agreements to ensure every partnership strengthens TPCA’s mission, ethics, and long‑term autonomy.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, assess, and recommend mission‑aligned partnerships
• Maintain long‑term relationship health and alignment
• Evaluate risks, power dynamics, and potential mission drift
• Ensure TPCA retains clear decision‑making authority
• Help design and steward governance structures for multi‑organization coalitions
• Clarify roles, decision rights, and accountability pathways
• Draft and negotiate MOUs and partnership agreements
• Coordinate agreement review with legal, finance, and leadership
• Track commitments, obligations, and renewal timelines
• Brief the Executive Director and Board on opportunities and risks
• Surface early warnings about misalignment or external pressure
• Enforce ethical boundaries and pause/escalate negotiations when needed

What You Bring

• Strong relationship‑building and institutional negotiation skills
• Ability to navigate power dynamics and coalition environments
• Clear communication and documentation discipline
• Ethical judgment and boundary clarity
• Systems thinking and strategic alignment
• Comfort managing conflict without appeasement

Expectations & Boundaries

• Maintain confidentiality and uphold fiduciary responsibilities
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Communications, Finance, and Executive Leadership
• Escalate risks promptly when commitments or alignment are in question
• Maintain accurate documentation of partnership scopes and agreements
• Does not independently bind TPCA to commitments
• Does not set organizational policy or public positions
• Does not override Communications, Ethics, or Executive Director review
• Does not supervise Directors unless authorized