Vice President, Partner Relationships
About the role
The Vice President, Partner Relationships serves as a senior leader within SEO Career & Alternative Investment department, responsible for driving partnership strategy, managing key external relationships, and leading a high-performing Partnerships team. This role oversees a $13M+ portfolio of corporate and philanthropic partnerships that are critical to the success and growth of SEO’s Career and Alternative Investments programs.
Responsibilities
Own and drive performance against a $13M+ partnership portfolio across financial services, alternative investments, and corporate sectors, ensuring revenue targets are met through strong partner engagement and retention.
Identify opportunities to grow existing partnerships and support the development of new partnerships aligned with program goals.
Ensure partnership strategies are aligned with program needs, participant outcomes, and broader organizational priorities in close collaboration with the EVP, Career & Alternative Investments and Chief Advancement Officer.
Partner with the Executive Vice President, Career & Alternative Investments to work with Development team on new corporate partnerships and philanthropic support.
Serve as a senior point of contact for select high-priority partners, supporting relationship building, renewals, and issue resolution.
Guide the Partnership team in delivering high-quality partner experience, including successful internship placement and full-time hiring outcomes.
Address escalations and partner challenges as needed, ensuring strong communication and long-term relationship health.
Lead and manage the Partnerships team, including Directors and Associate Directors across Partner Relationships and Business Development.
Set clear goals and expectations, monitor performance, and provide ongoing coaching and professional development.
Build a collaborative, accountable team culture that balances strategic thinking with strong execution.
Partner closely with leaders across Program, Pathways, Operations, and Events teams to ensure alignment and successful program delivery.
Review partnership performance data and team insights to monitor progress against goals and inform decision-making.
Share updates with leadership on partnership health, risks, and opportunities.
Contribute to material development for internal stakeholders and board reporting, as needed.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
Master’s degree in business or in related fields highly preferred.
10-15 years of experience leading teams and programs/initiatives in the for-profit sector with exposure to non-profit a plus.
Experience driving revenue with corporate partners and exposure to driving revenue with philanthropic foundations is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
SEO offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plan including low-cost health, vision, and dental options, a generous holiday schedule and PTO policies, disability coverage, fully paid time off for new parents, and employer contributions to health reimbursement and retirement accounts. We are constantly working to improve our benefits each year based on the needs of our employees. We value wellness and strive to put people first and foremost. The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEO believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEO reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.
EEOC Policy
At SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies the backgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and the communities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact we make in the world. Candidates from all communities – including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community, veterans, and people with disabilities – are strongly encouraged to apply. Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it is our commitment.
THE ORGANIZATION
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) is an educational non-profit founded on the belief that talent is everywhere; but opportunity is not. Our programs are designed to educate, train, mentor, and amplify the voices of our participants to give them a seat at the table – every table. We propel human potential. SEO is an innovator in education, mentorship, and creating educational career opportunities that maximize the full potential of our participants. Each year SEO serves 7,000+ participants nationally, and the organization is widely recognized for developing best-in-class programs with exceptional results. Not every SEO participant is on the same journey, but all are hungry for opportunity and SEO creates an ecosystem of excellence.