Sr. Partnerships Associate

Position Summary

The Sr Partnerships Associate provides expertise in the design, implementation, management, assessment, and continuous improvement of MHM's strategic partnerships approach. The role builds and sustains executive-level, systems-focused relationships with internal and external partners and other stakeholders to advance MHM's mission, vision, goals, strategic plan, and anchor strategies. It also applies strong project management, analysis, and relationship stewardship to strengthen partnership outcomes and organizational impact in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Scope and Impact

Supports strategic partnerships across MHM's broader health and well-being ecosystem, particularly systems-level, CEO-relevant partnerships through which MHM is positioned as a thought leader, role model, and learner. The role maps partnership networks, supports coordinated action across internal and external stakeholders, tracks partnership performance and mutually beneficial impact, and contributes strategic intelligence that informs MHM's long-term strategic partnerships direction. This role also engages heavily in project management, documentation, and coordination.

Decision Making Authority

Acts independently in core work functions and applies specialized knowledge, critical thinking, sound professional judgment, and strategic perspective to achieve outcomes. The position has a high level of autonomy in managing assignments, stakeholder relationships, analyses, recommendations, project timelines, and deliverables, while remaining accountable for quality, timeliness, and expected outcomes.

Interactions / Working Relationships

Works closely and routinely with the Strategic Partnerships team, MHM leaders, cross-functional departments, and internal project teams. Externally, the role cultivates and manages ongoing relationships with executive-level leaders, community partners, public health and human services organizations, philanthropic and nonprofit entities, consultants, patients, grassroots organizations, and other stakeholders; it may also represent MHM in conferences, webinars, committees, meetings, and partnership activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Map MHM's partnership ecosystem to identify connection opportunities, gaps, emerging field trends, and opportunities across initiatives, projects, networks, and partners.
• Serve as project manager and liaison for strategic partnerships and cross-functional initiatives, using proposals, work plans, road maps, timelines, and related project management approaches.
• Track partnership performance against key metrics and industry benchmarks; conduct analyses and risk assessments to inform strategy, strengthen outcomes, and proactively address challenges.
• Identify, cultivate, negotiate, and steward high-impact, executive-level partnerships aligned with MHM's mission, values, strategy, and organizational priorities.
• Develop executive-level briefs, backgrounders, presentations, reports, summaries, and correspondence for internal and external audiences, often on tight timelines.
• Build and refine partnership systems, tools, and pipeline processes, including the Partnerships Portal, MOUs, quarterly action plans, and other mechanisms tied to MHM's impact and strategic plan.
• Provide forward-looking market intelligence and conduct asset scans and feasibility studies for potential partnerships using an equity lens.
• Support MHM's participation in conferences, webinars, committees, and related external forums, including content development and professional representation of the Strategic Partnerships department.
• Plan and manage partnership meetings, agendas, logistics, documentation, action-item follow-up, and dissemination of meeting outcomes and next steps.
• Maintain partnership documentation, contracts, and reporting; continuously improve how partnership information is organized, shared, and used across the organization.

Supervisory or Leadership Responsibilities

This position does not supervise others.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

Education: Bachelor's degree required.

Licenses/Certifications: No professional certification is required. Must maintain a valid driver's license and auto liability insurance.

Experience: Five (5) years of strategic partnerships experience in a public health, health and human services, nonprofit, or philanthropic setting; three (3) years of stakeholder and project management experience; and two (2) years supporting executive-level partnerships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred.
• Project management certification and/or training highly preferred.
• Experience with writing and reviewing, developing policies and procedures, working with consultants, and developing assessments highly preferred.
• Experience working with underserved or under-resourced populations preferred; fluency in Spanish highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

Strategic and assets-based thinking; opportunity orientation; conceptual, analytical, and critical thinking; project and stakeholder management; executive-level relationship building and negotiation; collaboration in complex matrix environments; sound judgment and professionalism; strong organization and time management; facilitation of complex decisions and discussions; adaptability to changing priorities; creative problem-solving and innovation; equity-centered relationship management; ability to translate strategic imperatives into practical execution; initiative and independent work; continuous learning and responsiveness to feedback; knowledge of how power dynamics influence equity-based partnerships.

Language Skills

Fluent English required. Fluency in Spanish highly preferred. Strong verbal and written communication skills are required, including the ability to read and interpret business and technical materials; write reports, business correspondence, and procedures; prepare professional presentations and documents; and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Technology and Tools

Working knowledge of the Internet, Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, including the ability to import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and develop reports. Ability to navigate virtual meetings using Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Work is performed in settings consistent with strategic partnership activities and may include meetings, events, and activities outside normal business hours.
• Travel outside of San Antonio may be required up to 25%. Must be able to drive and have access to a vehicle, with a valid driver's license and auto liability insurance.
• Requires bending, stooping, twisting, turning, walking, climbing step stools, sitting, and standing for periods of time. Must be able to lift and maneuver at least 25 pounds.