Senior Partnership Manager (Chicago-based, Remote)

Position Overview

The Senior Partnership Manager develops, manages, and grows strategic partnerships that advance Common Threads’ mission at the intersection of food, health, and equity. This role owns a portfolio of high-impact partners, including healthcare systems and providers, school districts, community-based organizations, funders, food and agriculture companies, and food policy organizations—and plays a key role in identifying and supporting partnership-driven funding opportunities.

This role is based in Chicago. This position builds and maintains high-impact relationships, supports overall funding requests, and ensures strong coordination between partners and on-the-ground program delivery. The role also supervises and supports field-based coordinators responsible for implementing nutrition education, cooking, and chronic disease prevention programs.

This is a full-time, exempt position. The role follows a fully remote work model. Regular local travel to school and community partner sites within the Chicago area is required, with occasional travel outside of Chicago. This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Development & Strategy

• Build, deepen, and steward strategic partnerships across healthcare, schools, community organizations, funders, corporate partners, and policy stakeholders in the Chicago region.
• Serve as the primary relationship owner for key Chicago-area partners, ensuring clear goals, strong communication, and consistent partner satisfaction.
• Identify and pursue new partnership opportunities aligned to organizational priorities, program goals, and funding strategy; develop a healthy partnership pipeline.
• Represent Common Threads externally at meetings, convenings, and community forums; increase visibility across Chicago.

Funding & Resource Development Support

• Partner with the Development and Leadership teams to support partnership-related proposals, renewals, and funder/corporate communications.
• Help shape partnership-based revenue approaches (e.g., sponsorship, grants, fee-for-service) by translating partner needs into fundable opportunities.
• Track partnership commitments, deliverables, and reporting requirements in coordination with internal teams to ensure high-quality, on-time execution.

Program Oversight & Team Management

• Manage and coach program coordinators and field staff responsible for implementing nutrition education, cooking, and chronic disease prevention programming at partner sites.
• Ensure consistent program quality, smooth site operations, and strong partner alignment, troubleshooting issues quickly and proactively.
• Provide performance management, support professional development, and build team culture that reflects Common Threads’ mission and values.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Program, Development, Evaluation, and Operations to align partnerships with organizational goals and capacity.
• Support data collection, impact reporting, and continuous improvement for partner-driven programs.
• Lead accurate and timely compliance reporting related to partner commitments and program implementation.
• Contribute to strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives.
• Increase awareness of Common Threads throughout the Chicago region and represent the organization at key community and district events.

The above statements are intended to describe the essential job functions of this role and are not an exhaustive list of all duties performed by personnel occupying this position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in public health, nonprofit management, nutrition, social work, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in partnerships, community engagement, program management, or development, preferably within health, food systems, or nonprofit sectors.
• 3+ years of experience in nonprofit organizations.
• 2+ years of direct staff management and supervision experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing external partnerships and internal teams.
• Strong understanding of food systems, public health, nutrition education, or food-as-medicine initiatives.
• Experience working with healthcare institutions, funders, or corporate partners strongly preferred.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills.
• Comfortable engaging senior leaders and frontline staff alike.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented leadership style.
• Commitment to health equity, community-centered programming, and mission-driven work.
• Strong organizational, time management, and analytical thinking skills; must be task-oriented.
• Positive energy and a demonstrated passion for wellness, food access, equity, and improving community health outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt style based on audience and context.
• Must have access to reliable transportation and be willing to travel locally throughout the Chicago area.
• Ability to work within a mission-driven environment, building professional and respectful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and remotely with confidence and excellent communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Google Workspace. Experience with Salesforce, Slack, and Asana a plus.

Additional Information

Common Threads offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 15 days of paid time off
• 15 paid holidays
• 3 floating holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) plan with company match

All Common Threads employees are subject to a background check and fingerprinting prior to employment.

This is a full-time position that primarily works Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm, with occasional evenings or weekends required.

Candidates must reside within the Chicago metropolitan area.

Regular travel is required for business purposes, and employees will be compensated for mileage incurred during official travel. Reimbursement applies to the use of a personal vehicle or public transportation and excludes rideshare services.

About Common Threads

Common Threads is a national leader in enhancing community health through the power of nutrition and food. For over two decades, the nonprofit has addressed the connection between nutrition and overall well-being by providing nutrition education, cooking skills training, and food access.

Operating in-person and digitally, Common Threads has partnered with more than 2,200 schools, provided over five million meals, and positively impacted the nutritional health of more than one million individuals. From the nation’s largest public school districts in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago to community organizations and medical institutions, its reach is both broad and deep.

For more information, visit commonthreads.org.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands/fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs;