LFD SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS

DEPT: LEADERSHIP FORMATION DIVISION

HOURS: 40 PER WEEK

PT/FT/TEMP: FULL-TIME

EXEMPT STATUS: EXEMPT

LOCATION: PASADENA, CA OR REMOTE WITHIN THE US

REPORTS TO: CHIEF OF LEADERSHIP FORMATION

Brief Description

The Senior Director of Partnerships develops and executes LFD's partnership strategy and annual plans for driving revenue and impact by identifying, cultivating, managing, and expanding LFD and its Centers' strategic partnerships. This role bridges relationship management, sales, and product design, and will play a critical role in growing the division's reach and impact.

The Senior Director of Partnerships will work with potential, new, and existing partners—such as denominations, networks, nonprofits, and other ministry organizations—to understand their needs and match them with learning resources and other assets from across LFD's Centers. As needed, the Senior Director of Partnerships will convene the right LFD Centers to design customized learning products to meet partner needs. The Senior Director will also inform product pricing and contracting. The Senior Director of Partnerships will steward key partner relationships toward long-term collaboration.  

About the Leadership Formation Division

The Leadership Formation Division (LFD) at Fuller Seminary consists of six Centers (Brehm Center, Center for Spiritual Formation, Church Planting Initiative, De Pree Center, Fuller Youth Institute, and Thrive Center), the TENx10 Collaboration initiative, as well as FULLER Equip (an online non-degree training platform for Christian leaders) that collectively provide research-based resources and training to those who want to learn from Fuller, but are not currently pursuing a degree. Collectively, LFD serves approximately 250,000 learners per year and has approximately 80 full-time staff.

The Partnerships Senior Director reports to the Chief of Leadership Formation.  

Essential Functions

The Partnerships Senior Director has four primary areas of responsibility. 

1. Partnership Vision and Strategy for the LFD Lead Team

2. Sales and Revenue Growth 

3. Product Alignment and Design 

4. Partnerships Team Management 

Partnership Vision & Strategy

• Contribute to the creation of LFD's vision and strategy, with special attention to partnerships, in collaboration with the full LFD Lead Team.  

• Contribute to the creation of LFD's annual and long-term planning, with special attention to partnerships, to meet critical mission, income, organizational, and people goals.  

• Collaborate with other members of the LFD Lead Team to measure the ongoing effectiveness and performance of the organization in achieving the mission and determining appropriate course corrections as needed.  

• In collaboration with the LFD Lead Team, drive overall partnership strategy in alignment with LFD and Center goals and translate to annual plans. 

• Build trusted, long-term relationships with high-impact partners. Identify opportunities for delivering greater impact by maintaining and expanding partner relationships.  

• Develop a partner relationship management model that leverages the LFD Chief, Center Executive Directors, and other leaders for maximum impact with partners. Ensure alignment and coordination of partner relationships within LFD and other Fuller Theological Seminary (FTS) organizations as appropriate.   

• Provide subject matter expertise and coaching across LFD as needed.  

Sales & Revenue Growth 

• Drive acquisition of new strategic partners through proactive outreach and networking.

• Lead partner discovery conversations to understand their needs and recommend aligned products or solutions.

• Develop and deliver proposals that articulate value, impact, and alignment with partners' missions.

• Own and achieve annual revenue targets through sales of learning products and services.

• Collaborate with LFD leaders and Executive Directors to establish and adjust product pricing.

Product Alignment & Design 

• Translate partner goals into product requirements in collaboration with Center Executive Directors and teams.  

• Help scope and shape custom B2B product development across LFD, ensuring feasibility and strategic alignment.

• Maintain a strong understanding of LFD Centers' product catalogs, subject matter expertise, and capabilities to match partner needs effectively.

Partnership Acquisition and Sales Team Management 

• Establish and define the Partnership Acquisition and Sales Team's core services, capabilities, and competencies. 

• Coordinate with partnership roles across LFD to enable smooth, consistent partner acquisition and expansion.

• Supervise and develop the Partnership Operations Manager, who oversees internal processes, workflows, tools, templates, data, and tracking across LFD.  

• Provide operational coordination and support with Center leaders and employees involved in managing and stewarding partner relationships.  

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, business, marketing, public relations, or a related field required. Master's degree preferred

• 10+ years of relevant partnerships-related experience. Strong preference for candidates with experience in non-profit and/or ministry contexts

• Demonstrated excellence in leading partnership and sales efforts, activities, and messaging that reflect inclusion and equity in a diverse setting

• Experience developing offerings suited for a changing landscape of church and culture

• Exceptional interpersonal and coalition-building skills, including listening and interpretive skills; strong consultative skills; and expertise in working effectively and creatively with a wide variety of individuals and groups

• Ability to represent Fuller with theological robustness, relational savvy, and strategic foresight with foundations, donors, the marketplace, and within the Fuller ecosystem

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to implement policies and procedures that support institutional and divisional goals

• Ability to integrate a cohesive LFD partnerships approach with the dynamics of multiple center teams with distinct teams, brands, and specific audiencesfinding win/win opportunities

• Excellent communication skills required, by phone, email, social media, and in person. Ability to write clearly and effectively an absolute must.

• Experience in customer relationship management. Broad computer and Internet knowledge and skills required; experience with Salesforce CRM software preferred.

• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Passionate about new and emerging media trends and practices

Additional Remarks:

• This position is available for remote work within the United States. Subject to payroll state approval by Fuller Theological Seminary

Pay Scale: 

• Annual salary the seminary expects to pay: $90,000 - $105,000 annually USD

Fuller Theological Seminary is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. To the extent required by law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. As a religious institution, Fuller Theological Seminary is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees or prospective employees for certain positions on the basis of religion. All positions must agree to Fuller's Community Standards for conduct, and certain positions must fully accept Fuller's Statement of Faith. Women and minorities strongly encouraged to apply.