Director, Strategic Partnerships & Growth

Michigan Central is where founders industry researchers and government come together to test build and scale technologies that will define the future of how we build and move in the future.

In this position...

The Director Strategic Partnerships & Growth will build and manage Michigan Centrals external funding relationships across corporate philanthropic and individual major giving channels. This is a frontline role with decision-makers at foundations corporations and civic institutions. It will also require building out a fundraising strategy.

The position reports directly to the Director of Growth and works closely with senior leadership across Michigan Central and the broader ecosystem of partners.

This position is onsite 5 days per week in Detroit MI.

What youll do...

Capital Strategy & Revenue Generation

• Develop and execute a multi-year capital strategy focused on philanthropic corporate civic and mission-aligned private giving with a deliberate emphasis on national funders.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospects; lead all stages from cultivation to close to stewardship.
• Set annual revenue targets and report pipeline health and progress to senior leadership.
• Actively expand Michigan Centrals presence and credibility within local and national philanthropy and corporate social impact networks.

External Strategy Positioning & Civic Partnerships

• Serve as Michigan Centrals primary external relationship manager across philanthropic civic and corporate partners owning senior-level touchpoints and long-term engagement plans.
• Develop clear engagement menus for partners (grants sponsorships fellowships convenings) tied directly to Michigan Centrals economic development and workforce priorities.
• Lead cross-sector forums and ecosystem convenings that deepen our network and strengthen Michigan Centrals position as a national model for place-based innovation.
• Shape how Michigan Central is understood externally as a driver of Detroit and Michigans economic growth and not just a Ford project.

Narrative & Case Development

• Partner with Marketing & Communications to develop a compelling consistent narrative for Michigan Centrals economic development and workforce agenda.
• Create and maintain high-quality fundraising materials: cases for support investment decks one-pagers impact reports and executive talking points.
• Build and maintain a library of case studies that demonstrate measurable partner and community impact.
• Ensure clear distinction and alignment between Michigan Centrals value to Ford and its broader impact on Detroit and Michigan.

Strategic Foresight & Market Intelligence

• Continuously scan the national philanthropic corporate giving and impact-investment landscape for new funding programs collaborative opportunities and policy tailwinds.
• Advise Michigan Central leadership on emerging trends in place-based economic development workforce/skills and civic innovation.
• Translate market intelligence into concrete partnership and capital strategies.

Internal Coordination & Accountability

• Work closely with program and finance teams to align funding strategies with program design and delivery.
• Establish lightweight internal processes for opportunity intake decision-making and grant/sponsorship execution.
• Build a culture of stewardship ensuring program teams follow through on commitments made to funders and partners.
• Maintain accurate records of relationships opportunities and outcomes in shared CRM tools.

What Success Looks Like in 2026

• A documented portfolio of 15 to 20 active relationships across corporate foundation and individual giving channels with a clear stage and next step for each.
• Two or three closed commitments whether new funding or renewed relationships elevated to a higher level of investment.
• A national funder strategy built in partnership with leadership that identifies five or more foundations or corporate giving programs outside Southeast Michigan worth pursuing in year two.
• A clear working command of the LLC/501(c)(3) distinction and the ability to explain it to any funder.
• Implemented simple effective processes for tracking opportunities reporting outcomes and coordinating with internal teams.

Youll have...

• 8 years of experience in philanthropy corporate civic giving impact investing or related fields with a demonstrated track record of closing significant gifts or grants.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Demonstrate deep existing relationships with national philanthropic foundations and/or corporate social impact/giving programs not just a familiarity with the landscape.
• Experience working in or with place-based economic development workforce development or urban innovation initiatives.
• Genuine connection to Detroit or a strong motivation to invest in the citys future.

Even better you may have...

• A compelling communicator who can translate complex work into clear persuasive narratives for executive audiences.
• Entrepreneurial comfortable building systems relationships and strategy in a high-growth evolving environment.

As an established global company we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe or keep you close to home Will your career be a deep dive into what you love or a series of new teams and new skills Will you be a leader a changemaker a technical expert a culture builderor all of the above No matter what you choose we offer a work life that works for you including:

• Immediate medical dental vision and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days paid parental leave new parent ramp-up programs subsidized back-up child care and more.
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement fertility treatments and more.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Established and active employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• A generous schedule of paid holidays including the week between Christmas and New Years Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is leadership level 6 and ranges from $115500-$218100.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidates skills and experience and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits click here.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race religion color age sex national origin sexual orientation gender identity disability status or protected veteran the United States if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability please call 1-.

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