211 Strategy & Partnership Lead

The 211 Strategy & Partnerships Lead serves as United Way of Greater Toledo's lead staff member responsible for advancing the strategic growth, community partnerships, and organizational integration of 211 as a cornerstone of the organization's impact strategy.

Working closely with the Executive Vice President of Community Impact, this position connects 211 operations with fundraising, marketing, community analytics, volunteer engagement, and community impact initiatives to strengthen service delivery, expand strategic partnerships, and increase community investment in 211.

The Lead leads cross-functional projects, cultivates community relationships, coordinates grant and donor reporting, supports the development of new initiatives, and helps identify opportunities to expand 211's role in improving community outcomes. As the primary connector between departments, community partners, and 211 operations, this position helps ensure the organization fully leverages 211 to strengthen services, tell compelling stories of impact, and build lasting partnerships. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys connecting with people, building relationships, and turning ideas into action.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Growth & Partnerships

• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with nonprofit, healthcare, education, government, philanthropic, and private-sector partners.
• Represent United Way of Greater Toledo and 211 through community presentations, meetings, coalitions, and partnership development.
• Identify opportunities to expand 211 programs, strengthen partnerships, and increase community awareness of the service.
• Support implementation of new initiatives that strengthen United Way's community impact strategy.

Organizational Integration

• Serve as the primary internal liaison connecting 211 across internal departments and Executive Leadership.
• Coordinate cross-department projects and ensure strong communication, follow-through, and organizational alignment.
• Develop internal training and communication strategies that increase the understanding of emerging needs in community, 211’s partnerships, and opportunities for growth and alignment.

Program Management & Innovation

• Coordinate implementation of strategic initiatives including Ride United, Project DASH, Community Information Exchange (CIE), specialized navigation pilots, and future program expansions.
• Support county expansion efforts across Northwest Ohio and implementation of new contracts.
• Help identify opportunities to improve workflows, technology, reporting systems, and community partnerships.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and best practices that strengthen 211 and community navigation.

Fund Development & Strategic Partnerships

• Oversee stewardship and management of the 211 funding portfolio, including grants, corporate partnerships, and philanthropic investments, ensuring compliance, reporting, and strong funder relationships.
• Collect and organize impact stories, partner testimonials, and program outcomes to support fundraising, marketing, donor stewardship, and community engagement.
• Partner with Resource Development to retain existing funding and secure new investments by identifying funding opportunities, developing compelling proposals, and creating investment strategies that sustain and expand 211 core services and emerging initiatives.
• Support executive presentations, board materials, community reports, and other communications that demonstrate the impact and value of 211.

Performance, Reporting & Analysis

• Work closely with internal teams to translate data into meaningful reports for leadership, donors, funders, and community partners.
• Monitor program performance, partnership activity, and community trends / needs to support strategic decision-making.
• Help strengthen feedback loops between 211 providers, United Way, and community partners.
• Recommend improvements that strengthen organizational alignment, service delivery, and community impact.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Mission Alignment: Demonstrates commitment to United Way's mission, values, and equity principles.
• Communication: Shares ideas clearly and respectfully with internal and external stakeholders
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Works well with others; build positive relationships across departments
• Initiative & Innovation: Proactively identifies solutions and suggests improvements.
• Professionalism & Integrity: Uphold exacting standards in conduct, ethics, and accountability.
• Adaptability: Responds effectively to change and uncertainty.
• Knowledge & understanding of United Way and current events and the role they play

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Community Collaboration: engages diverse stakeholders to accurately and effectively assess community needs and with credibility, authenticity, and humility, strategically guides UWGT to contribute to the community’s priorities. Influences and inspires community leaders to partner with UWGT to create and implement programs that serve and add value to the community.
• Deep Community Expertise: Is an expert on community challenges who has thorough knowledge of the data trends, research, and environmental and community stakeholders. Proactively works to identify and address complex issues by providing leadership around gathering, interpreting, and using relevant data to inform and drive strategy development, make decisions, and drive for results. Plans, develops, and implements initiatives within impact areas to achieve results that drive collective community outcomes.
• Product Development and Implementation: understands the community and philanthropic interests of donors and investors. Identifies community strategies to connect with the interests of various investors and develop solutions and products as investment opportunities to connect donor aspirations with community needs.
• Donor Influence: understand donors and support year-round relationship management with key funder segments to attract and sustain resources.
• Advocacy and Public Policy: works with community leaders and elected officials to build on UWGT’s mission and advocates on education, impact, and health issues. Encourages partner organizations to engage in advocacy and to support issues important for the community.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit management, public health, human services, community development, philanthropy, healthcare, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience building partnerships and working collaboratively across organizations.
• Experience with grants, contracts, reporting, fundraising support, or community engagement preferred.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Builds trust quickly and represent United Way of Greater Toledo professionally.
• Has exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Is highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Thinks strategically while also enjoying day-to-day project management.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service and relationship management skills.
• Takes initiative and follows through on commitments.
• Enjoys solving problems, connecting people, and improving systems.
• Is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities evolve.
• Works collaboratively maintains a positive attitude, and contributes to a culture of teamwork and accountability.

EXPECTED COMMITMENTS

As a representative within the Department of Community Impact, you are expected to uphold our organizational values on diversity, equity and inclusion. To increase access to education, health and financial stability services, we must accurately understand the role in which racism, homophobia, xenophobia, ageism, ableism, classism, etc. has limited a person’s ability to receive the health and human services they deserve. This knowledge allows the department to better advocate for those in our community, as well as appropriately tell their stories.