Vice President of Community Partnerships and Programs

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO: 

United Way of Southeast Minnesota (UWSEMN) responds to the greatest needs across our region by inspiring people to get involved, give back, and take action. We envision a resilient region defined by care and collective action where residents are healthy, households are financially secure, and young people succeed in school and life. 
 

WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS: 

UWSEMN is in the middle of a transformation. Our next chapter requires more than strong relationships, it requires the ability to turn strategy into execution across partners, programs, and systems. 

The Vice President, Community Partnerships and Programs is the senior leader accountable for UWSEMN’s community-facing partnership and program portfolio, including Building Bridges as a primary transformation initiative. 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Vice President is responsible for the planning, development, management, and implementation of high-quality impact strategies—strategies that improve outcomes for individuals and families and achieve community-level change. In this role, high-quality impact strategies focus on effective partner development, system development, and improvements within UWSEMN’s year-round community service portfolios. 

This position provides leadership to staff and volunteer teams and builds collaborations with key community leaders, initiative partners, community-based organizations, public entities, and other community constituents. 

SUCCESS PROFILE (WHAT “GOOD” LOOKS LIKE HERE): 

To be successful, this senior leader must consistently translate strategy into execution by: 

1. Converting direction into clear written plans (workplans, timelines, decision points, and accountabilities). 

2. Establishing an operating cadence (weekly priorities, meeting rhythms, partner follow-through, and internal coordination). 

3. Driving partner adoption through disciplined communication, expectation-setting, and barrier removal. 

4. Producing board-ready updates tied to outcomes, risks/controls, and next steps. 

3. Translate results into plain-language updates suitable for board, partners, donors, and the public. 

Partner and Community Relations 

You will: 

1. Develop staff, partners, and volunteers to sustain cross-sector collaboration and shared ownership. 

2. Maintain collaborative efforts with other funding sources and community stakeholders to meet changing needs and position UWSEMN as a credible convener. 

3. In coordination with Resource Development, support identification and securing of non-traditional funding sources (foundations and government grants) by contributing partner intelligence, program narratives, and measurable outcomes. 

REQUIRED WORK PRODUCTS (YES, WE MEAN WRITING) 

This role requires consistent, clear, structured written work. Upon hire and ongoing, you will produce: 

1. A 90-day portfolio implementation plan (priorities, sequencing, dependencies, decision points, delegation plan for Bridges Manager/Partnership Coordinator, Partner engagement cadence, and success measures for Building Bridges and year-round programs). 

2. A rolling 12-month portfolio workplan, updated quarterly. 

3. Board-ready decision memos and updates (decision requested; rationale; risks/controls; alternatives; recommended next step). 

4. Partner-facing materials that set expectations clearly (participation standards, cadence, roles, follow-through). 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Minimum Qualifications 

1. Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in social work, public administration, nonprofit management, business management, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 

2. Progressive leadership experience in human services and/or nonprofit planning. 

3. Demonstrated experience working in systemic change, including cross-organizational collaboration and adoption of shared practice. 

4. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including board-ready writing and logically sequenced implementation plans. 

5. Strong facilitation/consensus-building skills; strong organizational skills; ability to work cross-functionally. 

Strengths Alignment (Preferred) 

Candidates with demonstrated strengths aligned with execution, operating cadence, and partner adoption are especially well-suited (Executing + Influencing + Relationship Building tendencies). 

HOURS / WORKPLACE: 

This is a full-time senior leadership role. Some in-person meetings and partner engagement across our region are required. Occasional evening/weekend availability is expected. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: 

Salary range: $65,000–$80,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Benefits include comprehensive health coverage and retirement plan options consistent with UWSEMN’s benefits package. 

TO APPLY:

Email Zeni Aly at zeni@uwsemn.org with: 

1. 1. A short note (2–3 paragraphs) describing why you’re interested and how you match the role. 

2. In 250–400 words, describe a complex initiative you implemented. Include: 

   • your first 90-day plan
   • how you created operating cadence/accountability
   • one measurable result

3. A resume or LinkedIn profile.

Qualified applicants will receive a reply within five business days to schedule a conversation. Applications submitted before April 30th at 11:59 pm will have priority in this process. We will keep the position open until filled. Start date is flexible---ideally someone will begin full time by May 25th.