Director of Partnerships at The DREAM Program in Winooski, VT

Position Summary

DREAM seeks a relationship-driven, strategic, and collaborative Director of Partnerships to lead the development and stewardship of partnerships that support DREAM’s growth, programming, and long-term sustainability.

DREAM relies on partnerships with affordable housing communities, housing authorities, schools, and other community-based organizations to enter new communities and sustain our work over time. As DREAM continues to grow, partnerships beyond our core program sites are also becoming increasingly important to our operations, including relationships with summer meal providers, pools and parks, literacy organizations, camps, enrichment providers, and other community resources.

The Director of Partnerships will develop and implement a comprehensive partnership strategy across DREAM’s regions and programs. This position will cultivate relationships with affordable housing networks and management organizations, identify prospective program sites, steward existing partners, oversee partnership agreements, and help regional teams build strong and sustainable community connections.

The role will support partnership development for both DREAM’s Village Mentoring and Guided Mentoring programs while also building broader partnerships that expand opportunities and resources for young people. The ideal candidate has experience in affordable housing, community development, partnership management, or a related field and understands how to translate relationships into measurable organizational growth and impact.

Essential Functions

Partnership Strategy and Growth

• Develop and implement an organization-wide partnership strategy aligned with DREAM’s mission, programs, and growth goals.
• Create regional growth maps and conduct outreach to prospective partners in current and emerging regions.
• Establish annual partnership goals and track progress toward growth, stewardship, and renewal targets.
• Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities that inform DREAM’s regional and organizational growth strategy.

Housing and Program Partnerships

• Build and steward relationships with housing authorities, affordable housing organizations, property managers, schools, and community-based organizations.
• Cultivate new partners that can support the expansion of DREAM’s Village Mentoring and Guided Mentoring programs.
• Represent DREAM within housing, education, community development, and nonprofit networks.
• Work with regional and program staff to assess prospective partners and determine readiness for new programming.

Partner Stewardship and Agreements

• Maintain strong relationships with existing partners through regular communication, recognition, reporting, and opportunities for feedback.
• Coordinate partner check-ins, renewals, and follow-up while supporting regional teams in navigating relationship challenges.
• Oversee the creation, execution, organization, and renewal of contracts, memoranda of understanding, and site agreements.
• Maintain centralized systems for tracking partnership contacts, commitments, agreements, deadlines, and next steps.

Community Resource Partnerships

• Develop partnerships that expand resources and opportunities for DREAM programs and youth, including summer meals, literacy programs, pools, parks, camps, transportation, and enrichment providers.
• Identify donated, discounted, or shared resources that strengthen programming and reduce costs.
• Help regional teams identify and cultivate local resource partners.

Collaboration and Reporting

• Serve as an organizational resource and provide tools, guidance, and training related to partnership development and stewardship.
• Collaborate with program, development, finance, communications, and regional teams to align partnership activities with organizational priorities.
• Maintain partnership records, prepare regular updates, and evaluate the effectiveness of DREAM’s partnership strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Two or more years of relevant experience in partnerships, affordable housing, community development, external relations, business development, or nonprofit leadership.
• Demonstrated success developing and sustaining external partnerships.
• Experience in affordable housing, including work with housing authorities, property management organizations, developers, resident services, or housing networks, strongly preferred.
• Experience developing partnership, outreach, or organizational growth strategies.
• Experience managing contracts, memoranda of understanding, or partnership agreements.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, presentation, project-management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with consistent follow-through, documentation, and day-to-day relationship management.
• Experience working across multiple regions or with youth-serving and community-based programs preferred.
• Ability to travel periodically to DREAM regions and partner communities.

Core Competencies

• Relationship building and stakeholder engagement
• Partnership development and stewardship
• Strategic thinking and growth planning
• Knowledge of affordable housing and community systems
• Project management and follow-through
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Communication and problem-solving
• Cultural humility and commitment to equitable community partnership

Compensation

Compensation for this position is based on experience, qualifications, and level of responsibility. DREAM is committed to internal equity and recognizes that candidates may bring varying levels of relevant expertise.

The anticipated salary range for this position is approximately $50,000–$70,000 annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

About DREAM

DREAM partners with youth and families living in affordable housing communities to close the opportunity gap through mentoring, social-emotional learning, and enrichment programs. Our work is grounded in long-term relationships with young people, families, housing communities, schools, and community organizations.

Operating across multiple regions, DREAM values collaboration, flexibility, accountability, and thoughtful growth. We seek team members who are relationship-oriented, self-directed, comfortable navigating change, and committed to building partnerships that create meaningful and sustainable opportunities for young people.