Manager, Partnerships Team

FUSE is seeking a Manager to optimize and oversee the operational processes that support the organization's partnerships with city and county governments. The Manager will drive operational excellence across the Partnerships function, focusing on process improvement, systems performance, and contract administration.

LOCATION

FUSE is a fully virtual organization and this position can be based remotely from anywhere in the United States.

ANNUAL SALARY

This position offers a non-negotiable annual salary of $90,000 and robust benefits. More details can be provided upon request.

ABOUT FUSE

FUSE is a national nonprofit that partners with local governments to address pressing challenges with equitable solutions. We place experienced professionals within city and county agencies to lead strategic projects that are designed to narrow racial disparities, accelerate systems change, and increase government effectiveness. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with local stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve a substantive impact on regional priorities. We then conduct an individualized search for each project to ensure that the selected candidate has the required competencies and is deeply connected to the communities they serve. Hired as a FUSE employee and embedded in a government agency for at least one year of full-time work, the executive fellow receives training, coaching, and professional support to ensure that they achieve their greatest potential for impact.

We are focused on issues such as workforce development, affordable housing, public health, educational access, criminal justice reform, and climate resilience. FUSE breaks down barriers between governments and the people they serve, using human-centered design to engage community members in policy development. We foster culture change within governments to promote data-driven and results-based decision making. We also utilize storytelling to share the insights from our work in order to inspire all civic leaders to think and act differently in pursuing systemic change.

This work is financially supported primarily through fee-for-service contracts with our government partners. Additional support is provided by local funders and national philanthropic investments from groups such as the Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, Ballmer Group, Waverley Street Foundation, and others. We are also proud to partner with recording artist and FUSE Board member John Legend on a campaign called HumanLevel, which is using public awareness and policy advocacy to uplift communities that have been disproportionately impacted by institutionalized racism.

For more information: https://www.fuse.org

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, the Manager will help ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of FUSE's Strategic Partnerships team. This team builds connections with local government leaders, designs executive-level fellowship projects, secures contracts with governments, and manages long-term relationships with local and national partners. The Manager will support each Partnerships Director, guide the Associate's administrative tasks, and lead special projects aimed at enhancing both the department and the organization-at-large.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented project manager passionate about operational excellence, process improvement, and systems optimization. While experience with small government contracts is valuable, we're also interested in candidates with the skills and willingness to learn. A natural relationship-builder, this collaborative leader will work closely with four Directors of Strategic Partnerships-who each oversee government relationships across specific regions-while partnering with internal teams and external stakeholders to strengthen operational processes and execute contracts.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Operational Process Improvement

• Map and document business processes and work closely with the VP to identify areas for improvement and implement efficient workflows. Enhance systems and data management resources and guide the Associate's administrative work.
• Leverage technology to streamline operations and improve decision-making. Ensure operational systems support the strategic needs of the department and align with organizational goals.

2. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Integration

• Manage the integration of processes across different teams to ensure smooth collaboration. Facilitate effective communication within the department and across the organization to promote alignment, clarity, and collaboration.
• Collaborate with the VP and Directors to ensure that all processes are consistently aligned with organizational goals and support seamless workflow execution.

3. Salesforce Management

• Help oversee the vision and build out of Salesforce systems to support strategic goals and ensure the platform provides useful data for the VP and Directors. Regularly generate reports related to pipeline status, operational efficiency, and key performance metrics.

4. Contract Management

• Oversee the entire contract lifecycle, including drafting, negotiating, reviewing, amending, and managing small contracts with city and county governments nationwide, ensuring all contracts meet FUSE's programmatic, financial, and legal requirements.
• Engage directly with partners on behalf of the Directors of Strategic Partnerships to ensure timely and high-quality contract execution and compliance with FUSE's processes. Work against tight deadlines, coordinating internal and external processes to ensure governments move contracts through approval processes efficiently.

5. Vendor and Writer Management

• Oversee relationships with vendors supporting the Strategic Partnerships team, including independent writers developing project descriptions based on interviews with local partners. Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and performance against scopes of work.

6. Market Research

• Help establish a market research strategy to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges that inform FUSE's partnership development efforts. Set up and maintain access to relevant data sets and analytical tools, ensuring timely availability for decision-making and project development.
• Coordinate with the Partnerships team to ensure data-driven insights are consistently integrated into government relationships and project scoping, supporting proactive and informed partner engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Experience & Skills

• 5+ years of experience in project management and process improvement roles
• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing organizational workflows and systems
• Strong track record managing complex, cross-functional initiatives
• Experience using data and technology to drive operational efficiency
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities
• Natural collaborator who builds trust and influences without authority
• Systems thinker who can manage multiple priorities and navigate ambiguity
• Passion for increasing government effectiveness and building equitable communities

Preferred Qualifications

• Contract management experience
• Salesforce system administration
• Experience working with government agencies or nonprofits
• PMP certification or similar credentials

TO APPLY

Please submit an application and cover letter by clicking on the associated job description. The cover letter should explain your motivation to join FUSE and how you anticipate leveraging your experience in this role.

FUSE Corps is an equal opportunity employer with a core value of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work at every level. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.