Strategic Partnerships Manager

Strategic Partnerships Manager

Organization Description: 

Criterion Institute is the leading think tank focused on using finance as a tool for social change. We work with social change-makers to demystify finance and equip them with the knowledge and skills to engage with and shift financial systems. We also work with policymakers and financial actors, supporting them with tools and resources to better incorporate data on social issues, with close attention to gender patterns, into the structures, processes and analysis of their investment strategies. We are working toward a future where the power of our financial systems is widely used for social good.   

Our work is informed by our values of grace, hospitality and the power of invitation. Culturally, Criterion Institute is a collaborative, inquisitive, and fast-paced place to work. Team members might spend one day connecting with leaders of capital markets in Asia, and the next day facilitating a meeting of community organizers in Milwaukee. We work across a breadth of sectors, industries and geographies all focused on finance as a tool for social change. 

The Criterion team works in a virtual office environment – from home offices or urban hubs. All Criterion staff members are provided with sufficient equipment to set up a home office and are expected to work collaboratively and independently. 

Position Description:

The Strategic Partnerships Manager supports the organization with partner engagement, proposal development, communications and research across program areas. The Strategic Partnerships Manager

is responsible for tracking and contributing to program outputs, publications, and fundraising tools to ensure program goals are achieved and key relationships maintained. This role will work closely with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement to coordinate deliverables and external communications, design workplans, maintain project management software, and develop proposals and concept notes. This position will also play a role in research, writing, and editing across programs.

The Strategic Partnerships Manager will be a full and active member of the Criterion Institute team and will report to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, working across the organization with the time allocated in the breakdown of responsibilities listed below.

Responsibilities:

Fundraising, Sales, and Accounts Management – 45% (Cross Program)

• Support Vice President for Institutional Development with Accounts Management, tracking program outputs and supporting resources to ensure deliverables move forward on time and within budget and that regular communication is maintained with key relationships
• Conduct internal coordination of projects to ensure that contract and grant requirements are met. This includes:
• Track activities, deliverables, and timelines against contract and grant agreements, coordinating between Program Teams and Vice President for Institutional Advancement
• With guidance from the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Director of Programs, and President track that project budgets within contracts and grants are on track and ensure any concerns are addressed proactively and escalated to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement
• Work collaboratively with Program Teams, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and President to engage program partners, build community with new and existing funders, and move forward funding opportunities
• With guidance from Vice President for Institutional Advancement, develop concept notes, proposals, budgets, donor appeals, and other materials to support fundraising efforts
• Track program relationships using Salesforce to capture research interests and communications efforts across Criterion’s extended network
• Draft communications, including event invitations and fundraising emails, on behalf of Criterion leadership
• Send internal meeting agendas, follow-up items, and facilitate internal project meetings as needed

Programmatic Work – 25% (Cross Program)

• Support influence campaigns
• Coordinate and track relationships with key partners across programs
• Conduct and synthesize research
• Conduct desk research, literature reviews, and stakeholder conversations
• Manage data collection and data quality control
• Contribute to insights connecting possibilities of using finance for social change
• Develop written material and communications
• Contribute to research deliverables, including developing research reports, white papers, and articles
• Provide writing, editing and formatting support to program communications

Communications – 25% (Across entire organization)

• Provide internal project management for Criterion Communications
• Establish timelines and functional group objectives in line with organizational goals
• Ensure content creation, editing, proofreading and formatting is conducted on time and in line with organizational brand and standards
• Contribute to planning for organizational publicity and external media placement
• Develop creative and strategic communications messaging across channels, including:
• Newsletter content creation, proofreading, editing, and formatting as needed
• Social media content creation and monitoring
• Supporting the maintenance of Criterion’s website, including updating content from newsletters, events, and projects. Collaborate with contracted web developer and Communications Team to reorganize website design
• Identify ideas across the organization to share across communication channels

General – 5% (Across entire organization)

• Attend full team meetings and general check-ins with team members
• Contribute to the development of organizational processes and systems
• Conduct miscellaneous activities as needed, including but not limited to: individual expense reports, learning activities, and other organizational projects

Salary:   

The salary range for this position is estimated at $55,000 – $75,000 depending on experience and location of residence. 

Benefits:   

Benefits include opportunity to work remotely with flexibility; health coverage; and generous paid time off and paid holidays. 

How to Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in our mission to info@criterioninstitute.org. 

Inquiries without a cover letter that demonstrates a knowledge of our mission and a clear statement of how our mission aligns with your goals will not be considered. 

 
Not the right fit? If you are interested in Criterion, however don’t feel this position is the right fit, we encourage you to reach out and let us know what you are interested in about our organization as well as what you could offer to help us reach our goals. Send an email with this information to info@criterioninstitute.org 

 
Criterion Institute is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity employment. Criterion Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin,  religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability (including HIV status), veteran status, military obligations, or marital status.