Director of Strategic Partnerships

Job Overview

Position Summary

 

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES: Under the general supervision of the City Manager, this position is designed to lead, plan, direct, and coordinate all intergovernmental relations with county, state and federal governments and advance consistent private and nonprofit sector partnerships.  The position manages all  government relations related to policy, programs, and appropriations and coordinates all grant applications for the City.  This valuable team member will be an integral part of supporting efforts to become a high-performance, data-driven, and outcome-focused organization with the ultimate goal of creating a community of belonging and organization of choice, through planning, partnerships, and people. The individual should have strong emotional intelligence and a continuous improvement mindset which will add value to our organization and community

The ideal candidate possesses the ability to follow a management philosophy that includes principles of curiosity; problem-solving; partnerships and teamwork; and two-way accountability.  The candidate should exemplify the City’s SPIRIT statement, the values by which we operate: Service, People, Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation and Teamwork.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
Provide executive leadership and administrative oversight to all intergovernmental relationships as well as public, private, and non-profit partnerships. Work in this class includes providing high level leadership, administrative, and financial direction. Extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement, initiative, discretion, and collaboration. The employee in this class establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other City employees, business and community groups, state and federal officials, representatives of the media, and the public. Work is under the direction of and reviewed by the City Manager through observation, results achieved, reports, and conferences.

 

Job Duties

 

Job Duties

• Identify state, federal, and private sector grant opportunities and assess compatibility based on city council goals and priorities, city eligibility based on project readiness, and available match.  Convene city staff and community partners to prepare and submit grant applications.
• Identify Congressional leadership and staff, federal agency and White House leadership and staff, and maintain regular communications and relationships with these leaders across the federal government enterprise including regular travel to Washington DC to advocate for legislative and policy priorities.
• Identify State executive and legislative leadership and staff and maintain regular communications and relationships with these leaders including regular travel to Des Moines to advocate for legislative and policy priorities.
• Maintain communication and relationships with local public, private, and non-profit partners and resident groups.
• Represent City on policy committees, stakeholder coalitions, or other groups that represent the interests of municipalities.
• Plan and execute key advocacy events including but not limited to City’s annual Washington DC fly-in, Congressional Staff Visit, and annual state legislative dinner.
• Supervises staff to include prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures, maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Develop, assist in development, and implement strategic and long-range plans of the department, including annual federal and state legislative priorities.
• Develop new, evaluate current, and adjust initiatives and partnerships to further City goals and/or lead to more efficient government
• Direct and build skills, knowledge, and abilities of human capital through
• training, mentoring, coaching, and other means as needed.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with municipal officials, residents, businesses and community agencies and groups, nonprofits,  legislators, advisory commissions, committees, media, and developers. Serve as spokesperson for the City.
• Provides advice in the area of expertise to the City Manager, department
• managers and management teams; and give related presentations.
• Prepare and administer private, state, and federal grants, applications, reports and maintain effective working relationships with government jurisdictions and personnel.
• Collaborating with individuals and organizations to identify community needs, leverage community assets, and solve community problems.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Administration and Management - Skills in strategic planning, resource allocation and coordination of people and resources. Knowledge of finance, planning, marketing, budgeting, and grant writing principles, practices, techniques, procedures, and administration.

• Leadership – Ability to independently, collaboratively, and proactively lead, take initiative, and multitask. Ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and respectful manner while appreciating the unique contributions that bring together the talents of people across multiple identities and life experiences.

• Team Development, Community Collaboration/Engagement, and Partnerships – Skills in development of teams and partners identifying collaboration opportunities. Developing community relationships across various demographics. Create and implement a shared vision.
• Interpersonal, Oral and Written Communication – Listening to others for comprehension. Communicate through public speaking and writing clearly with awareness of the audience. Figuring out how to use new ideas or things while listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions through active learning and listening.  Ability to understand legislative and legal language.
• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Communications and Media — Knowledge of media communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• Data Collection, Analysis and Clerical - Record keeping abilities. High level ability to work with computers and tech, software programs, maintain and prepare reports, design fliers and forms. Working knowledge of computer hardware and software, including Office 365 Suite.
• Critical Thinking, Analysis, Complex Problem Solving and Decision Marking – Analyzing problems, thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem and identify/implement solutions. Figuring out how a system/process should work, measuring how well it’s working and how to improve it to arrive at equitable outcomes. Use deductive and inductive reasoning to solve problems. Create new and original ideas.

• Information Technology – Ability and willingness to learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology. Ability to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Emotional Intelligence – Ability to understand and navigate one’s own emotions while being attuned to the emotions of others. Demonstrates empathy, self-awareness, and sound judgment to build trust, foster collaboration, resolve conflict, and maintain positive working relationships in a variety of situations.

 

Qualifications

 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in political science, public administration, public policy, non-profit management, or related field;
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience;
• Or any equivalent combination of experience and experience.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain a valid Driver's License or, alternatively, the ability to travel independently throughout the community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Representation experience in the public sector, preferably at the level of municipal government.
• Education, training, or professional experience working with populations and community members.

 

Supplemental Information

 

Residency Requirement:
Employee shall establish their principal place of residence within fifty (50) miles of their place of employment as soon as practicable after appointment, but no later than two years from date of hire.

Work Environment: The person holding this position will work irregular hours and may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary to complete assigned duties and responsibilities. The position requires extensive overnight travel, primarily to Des Moines and Washington DC.  Work is performed in a variety of settings including offices, community meetings, businesses, classrooms, and homes in the community. Frequent independent travel throughout the city is required.

SUPERVISORY STATUS: None

FLSA (OVERTIME) STATUS: Exempt