Overview

About Us
UpTogether believes every person is an expert in their own life. But too many systems in our society have been set up to prevent hardworking people from getting ahead.

That’s because in the U.S., there is a broadly held stereotype that if you’re experiencing poverty or financial hardship, it’s solely your fault. After all, others have “pulled themselves up by their bootstraps” and you can too.

UpTogether knows that’s not true. Poverty is a policy choice. That’s why starting in 2023, we renewed our focus on a bold goal of changing systems and policies so all people in the United States are seen and invested in for their strengths, and able to build power, reinforce their autonomy and drive their own economic and social mobility.

Our systems change strategy is three-pronged: We work with individuals, families, funders, governments and community partners to:

  • Invest unrestricted cash in families and individuals with limited incomes
  • Amplify stories that tell the true lived experiences of people with financial hardship and financially under-resourced communities
  • Rally for state and local policies and practices that support and accelerate socioeconomic mobility

The strategy is grounded in our strength-based approach of community, capital and choice, which honors people’s initiatives, abilities and self-determination.

How We Do It Why We Do It
Community: We learn from financially under-resourced communities and co-create opportunities for people to build and strengthen their social networks. People benefit from the power of community and naturally and routinely exchange social capital and help one another.
Capital We invest in individuals and families through unrestricted cash. People must have access to sufficient capital to invest in their own lives.
Choice We trust that people are capable of making decisions for themselves and their families. People are experts in their own lives and must have full choice and control over their time and resources.

At UpTogether, we work towards these values:

  • Community: We’re better together than we are alone, and we know that with the support of our neighbors, family and friends, all of us will have a better shot at achieving our goals and dreams.
  • Impact: We focus our time and energy on collective work that will have the largest impact for people experiencing financial hardship.
  • Collaboration: We center the lived experiences of our members, partner with them to change systems and work with them to co-create opportunities for people to reach their financial goals.
  • Racial Equity: We are committed to being an anti-racist organization, and we promote anti-racist policies that eliminate the racial wealth divide.
  • Leadership: We intentionally create space for everyone to lead, regardless of their title.
  • Choice: We respect everyone’s autonomy and know each person is capable of  making their own decisions.

The Position
Reporting to the Senior Director of Partnerships, the Partnership Director, West Coast Region (includes California, Oregon, Washington and Arizona), will develop and lead the regional strategy for the adoption of UpTogether’s strength-based approach. In partnership with government, individual donors and philanthropy, the Partnership Director will work to identify, cultivate and steward funding commitments for UpTogether’s funds and the regional operations; in 2023 the region’s goal is to raise funds to support core operations, including direct payments to families. This position will ultimately lead the development and execution of a strategy that drives investment to change systems and narrative in the region.

They will supervise a regional team who will support their regional strategy. This is a remote position (based in California) requiring a solid internet connection and functional work environment. Some travel (30% of your time) will be required for this position. 

The Director will have at least seven years of experience in development, project management, or campaign/coalition management. The Director works remotely and from home across time zones, and is disciplined, flexible, creative, inspirational, and supportive.

Responsibilities:
Revenue generation

  • Develop and lead the fundraising strategy to meet regional goals
  • Create, strengthen  and maintain relationships with philanthropic and government partners to build fund partnerships that advance UpTogether’s mission and vision
  • Oversee, guide and grow the development of a regional pipeline of partners and donors

Movement building

  • Lead regional communications with philanthropic, governmental, and individual funders as well as other key stakeholders (i.e., analytic trends, insights, findings; significant happenings to report; member and partner stories)
  • Identify groups, spaces and coalitions to amplify UpTogether’s mission
  • Represent UpTogether at external meetings, press conferences, conferences, regional events, etc.
  • Where advantageous to UpTogether’s organizational mission, establish relationships with public officials, evaluators, NGOs, or private entities
  • Serve as primary contact with regional funders, influencers and policy makers

Strategy

  • Design and implement partnerships advancing organizational strategies to support, sustain, and grow adoption of UpTogether’s strength-based approach
  • In partnership with the Senior Directors, identify, prioritize, and cultivate relationships with values-aligned key stakeholders (e.g.: thought leaders and institutions) to advance SBA and creating leads for future partnerships or connections
  • Uphold and advance UpTogether’s Mission, Vision, and Values

Operations

  • In partnership with regional team members, initiate and coordinate grant and financial reporting  for UpTogether partnerships
  • Ensure coordination of development and partnership operations/needs with relevant staff, including the Finance Department, Member Communications, Engineering and others as needed
  • Maintain fund and partner information using Salesforce, a tool used across multiple verticals at UpTogether to cultivate fund partnerships, donors, track UpTogether Funds, and provide donor records and insights
  • Oversee and support the implementation of the UpTogether funds

Team building and management

  • Provide leadership development that ensures the regional team feels valued for their unique talents and contributions and supported in their self-directed leadership goals.
  • Foster a work environment that practices our organization’s values and supports psychological safety and belonging within our team and across the organization.
  • Manage and coach the regional team in line with UpTogether’s values and performance management standards to ensure relevant key outcomes are met; identify and support areas for professional development

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 7  years of experience fundraising, with a proven track record of securing six to seven figure grants/gifts.
  • Demonstrated experience establishing and managing partnerships, coalitions and/or movements and/or leading innovative strategies that have led to systems change within philanthropy and/or government.
  • Experience raising and overseeing grants and/or gifts of over six-figures
  • At least 4 years of experience managing staff members and coaching direct reports
  • Experience managing and negotiating contracts with government agencies and foundations
  • Proven track record of success developing mission-aligned partnerships with increasing responsibility and impact
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating impact data and case statements both verbally and in writing to diverse audiences

Other qualifications include

  • Ability to thrive in a remote work environment; self-directed; proactively reaches out, responsive; comfortable in a virtual setting.
  • Comfort interacting with a diverse group of stakeholders. A passion for building relationships and having conversations that challenge ingrained assumptions about BIPOC communities and people experiencing poverty
  • Exceptional communication, written and verbal; skilled at making complex information easy to understand
  • Ability to effectively manage up/down/across teams to accomplish goals
  • Experience with development constituent management software; preferably Salesforce
  • Demonstrated commitment to, or passion for, our mission; deep belief and trust in the innate capabilities of families with limited incomes and their communities; willingness to engage in conversations aimed at addressing erroneous stereotypes about people with limited incomes and people of color
  • Excited and energized by a dynamic work environment
  • Keenly interested in learning from others
  • Demonstrated leadership through learning, creating solutions, and accountability.

Compensation
This is a full-time position with a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision, 401(k), and vacation. Salary range is $110,000–130,000 and is dependent upon experience. This is a remote position (must be based in the United States).

Inclusion Statement
We strive to create a community that embraces equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we support the efforts of others to build such communities. We encourage all qualified and interested persons to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

To Apply
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a resume and cover letter via this link: Apply Here. Your cover letter should outline how your personal and/or work history will contribute to the mission of UpTogether. We ask that you do not include a photo or image of yourself on your resume or cover letter. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

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