Senior Director - Partnerships

About the Role

Location: New York City or San Francisco

Type: Full-time

Reports to: SVP, Partnerships

Compensation: $180 - $220K

The Opportunity

CodePath is building the partnerships required to expand AI-native technical education and economic opportunity for students across the country. CodePath is currently funded by major philanthropic partners including Schultz Family Foundation, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation to Robin Hood Foundation, among many others. You will be our senior leader growing new partnerships and owning our existing portfolio of partners. 

In this role, you will lead, build and grow a major portfolio of institutional funders and strategic partners, with particular emphasis on national and regional foundations, companies and other organizations capable of making six-, seven-, and eight-figure commitments.

This role is for a senior strategic relationship expert who can open doors, has trust with the leading institutional funders, and can turn shared interests into clear, fundable opportunities. You will manage a portfolio end to end, with support from a small team - from research and qualification through cultivation, proposal development, negotiation, close, renewal, and expansion, while helping CodePath strengthen the systems and cross-functional habits behind strategic partnership management.

What You'll Own

• Own an annual individual revenue goal of approximately $40 million and actively steward a portfolio of approximately $100 million across current and prospective partners.
• Build and manage a portfolio weighted toward institutional funders, including foundations, corporate philanthropy, and other strategic organizations making multi-year, six-, seven-, and eventually eight-figure commitments.
• Develop a clear strategy, decision process, stakeholders, timing, and potential fit with CodePath’s programs and strategy.
• Originate new relationships through targeted research, warm networks, conferences, ecosystem engagement, and thoughtful outbound development.
• Lead the full partnership lifecycle: qualification, relationship mapping, cultivation strategy, concept development, proposal coordination, diligence, negotiation, close, stewardship, renewal, and expansion.
• Create persuasive concepts, proposals, presentations, and executive briefs in partnership with grant writing, program, finance, research, and communications colleagues.
• Prepare the CEO, SVP, and other executives for high-stakes partner interactions, including the objective, message, roles, likely questions, and desired next step.
• Maintain accurate pipeline and forecast data, communicate risks early, and drive next actions across internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure a strong transition from close to delivery and stewardship so partner expectations, outcomes, reporting, and renewal strategy remain aligned.
• Support the growth and operating maturity of the broader Partnerships team by sharing market intelligence, reusable tools, relationship insights, and effective practices.
• Use AI tools to accelerate prospect research, synthesize information, prepare tailored materials, and improve portfolio management while applying sound judgment and protecting sensitive information.

What You Bring

• A strong record of independently developing and closing complex institutional partnerships or philanthropic commitments in the multi six- and seven-figure range, with meaningful exposure to eight-figure opportunities.
• Deep experience with foundations, institutional funders, or comparable strategic partners; existing credibility and networks in technology, education, workforce development, philanthropy, or AI are valuable.
• Evidence of both hunting and stewardship: you can create new opportunities, not only manage inbound relationships or renew an inherited portfolio.
• Excellent relationship judgment and the ability to navigate multiple decision-makers, ambiguous paths to yes, long sales or fundraising cycles, and competing stakeholder needs.
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking paired with disciplined follow-through and attention to detail.
• The ability to turn complex programs, outcomes, and growth plans into a concise and compelling case for partnership.
• A highly collaborative working style and the ability to lead work across functions without relying on formal authority.
• Comfort operating in a fast-moving environment, learning new subject matter quickly, and shifting between executive conversations and hands-on execution.
• Practical fluency with AI tools and curiosity about how AI is changing education, workforce development, philanthropy, and the technology ecosystem.

Indicators of success

First 90 Days

Develop a clear view of the portfolio, top prospects, existing commitments, internal stakeholders, and near-term revenue plan; establish disciplined relationship and pipeline plans. Present the initial strategy and start integrating with your partners externally. Build trust and rapport with your team, leadership and cross functional colleagues. 

First 6 months

Build executive-level trust with priority partners; create new qualified opportunities; advance major proposals and asks; improve forecasting, internal coordination, and portfolio visibility. Close existing warm pipeline. Team increasing velocity for individual and shared goals. 

First year

Meet the agreed revenue goal; expand CodePath’s institutional funding base; close significant multi-year commitments; strengthen renewal pathways and create a healthy pipeline for the following year. A-player team in place positioned to self propel 2028 growth goals. 

Full-Time Employee Benefits

CodePath prioritizes employee well-being with a competitive benefits package to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.

• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance (90% employer-covered for employees and dependents), employer-funded healthcare reimbursement, FSAs, and Employee Assistance Program
• Financial Security: 401(k), employer-paid life & disability insurance, and identity theft protection
• Work-Life Balance: Generous PTO, paid holidays, 10 weeks of fully paid parental leave, and an annual year-end company closure (Dec 24 – Jan 2)
• Professional Growth: $1,000 annual professional development stipend and home office setup support
• ​​Student Loan Forgiveness: CodePath is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), helping employees manage student loan debt
• Additional Perks: Pet wellness plans, legal services, home/auto insurance discounts, and exclusive marketplace savings