Director, Business Development

About the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis

Harris County has four precincts, each represented by an elected commissioner. Along with an elected county judge, these commissioners form the Harris County Commissioners Court, the administrative head of the county’s government. Commissioner Rodney Ellis represents Precinct One, a diverse, urban precinct covering 363 square miles with approximately 1.17 million residents. The population is roughly 33 percent African American, 38 percent Latino, 21 percent Anglo, 6 percent Asian, and 2 percent other or multiple races.

Precinct One stretches south to Brazoria County and reaches into eastern and northern sections of Harris County. Its territory includes a large section of Downtown Houston, including the Downtown Harris County Courthouse Complex, Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park, and BBVA Compass Stadium. Notable landmarks also include the 263-acre NRG Park Complex and the Texas Medical Center. The precinct is home to several higher education institutions, including Houston Community College, Rice University, Texas Southern University, the University of Houston, and the University of St. Thomas.

Precinct One manages over 21 parks, 10 community centers, numerous hike-and-bike trails, three maintenance service centers, and several area offices, all providing services to residents.

Mission

Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ Office is committed to becoming a national model for delivering responsive public service through inclusive, innovative, and collaborative approaches. The office aims to improve quality of life, advance equality of opportunity, and promote fair treatment for all people in Harris County. Key focus areas include:

• Advancing a more effective, fair, and equitable criminal justice system
• Furthering economic justice, equity, and opportunity for all residents, especially those historically underserved
• Ensuring equitable health outcomes and access to quality, affordable healthcare
• Fighting for environmental and climate justice to keep communities safe and healthy
• Equitably investing in resilient infrastructure and transportation for the 21st century
• Building and defending voting rights and a democracy that ensures equitable representation
• Progressing equity, social, and racial justice across all areas of public policy and service

Responsibilities

As the One For All Foundation Business Development Director, you will lead efforts to build and execute funding partnerships in support of the Foundation’s and the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ (OCRE) mission. Responsibilities include:

• Identifying, engaging, and cultivating financial relationships with corporate entities, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic foundations, and government agencies to secure new partnerships for capital campaigns and programming
• Developing comprehensive agreements, MOUs, and strategic funding partnership proposals in collaboration with the Law and Compliance Officer
• Researching and securing federal, state, and private funding opportunities to enhance OCRE programs and initiatives
• Working across OCRE divisions to align grant and philanthropic opportunities with priorities and ensure seamless execution of funder expectations
• Tracking and evaluating the success of funding partnerships and grants using data-driven metrics, providing regular reports to leadership on impact and improvement opportunities
• Managing reporting and financial oversight for grants and strategic partnership initiatives, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, donor expectations, deliverables, and restrictions
• Developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy for grants acquisition and management
• Occasional attendance at evening and weekend events
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Ten (10) years of experience in funding partnerships, business development, grant management, and/or cultivating strategic relationships
• Five (5) years of prior work experience in local government or nonprofit
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing capital funding initiatives supporting construction, renovation, and long-term sustainability of parks, trails, transportation, drainage, and other public infrastructure projects

Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Extensive knowledge of public-private partnership development, funding mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement strategies
• Strong sense of urgency about serving the constituents of OCRE
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to facilitate collaboration across diverse stakeholders and drive successful initiatives
• Expertise in identifying, applying for, and managing federal and state funding opportunities
• Dynamic leadership style that invites partnership, builds trust, and motivates others
• Ability to assess problems and identify solutions in a proactive and collaborative manner
• Proficiency in project management and CRM tools

Schedule

Full-time, regular position. Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends required.

Work Environment

• Standard office work, including extended periods at a computer workstation
• Duties performed primarily in an office, with occasional external event locations
• Occasional travel within Harris County

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift at least 20 lbs
• Subject to kneeling, crouching, walking, sitting, twisting, standing, carrying equipment, and reaching as needed
• Ability to support field production and event coverage, including moving between indoor and outdoor locations, setting up basic equipment, and working in varying weather conditions

Location

This in-office role is located at 2787 El Camino Street, Houston, TX 77054.