Vice President, Partner Relationships

The Vice President, Partner Relationships serves as a senior leader within SEO Career & Alternative Investment department, responsible for driving partnership strategy, managing key external relationships, and leading a high-performing Partnerships team. This role oversees a $13M+ portfolio of corporate and philanthropic partnerships that are critical to the success and growth of SEO's Career and Alternative Investments programs.

This role leads the day-to-day execution of partnership strategy-ensuring strong partner engagement, retention, and revenue performance. This includes working closely with corporate partners across financial services, alternative investments, real estate, and other sectors to deliver talent pipelines and successful internship and full-time placement outcomes.

The Vice President, Partner Relationships will serve as a senior point of contact for select high-priority partners, while guiding the broader team in building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships. Internally, you will manage and develop a team of partnership professionals, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and execution-focused culture.

This role requires a leader who can balance strategic thinking with strong execution-someone who can translate organizational priorities into actionable partnership plans, support team performance, and ensure that partnerships meaningfully contribute to both revenue goals and participant success.

- Own and drive performance against a $13M+ partnership portfolio across financial services, alternative investments, and corporate sectors, ensuring revenue targets are met through strong partner engagement and retention.

- Identify opportunities to grow existing partnerships and support the development of new partnerships aligned with program goals.

- Ensure partnership strategies are aligned with program needs, participant outcomes, and broader organizational priorities in close collaboration with the EVP, Career & Alternative Investments and Chief Advancement Officer.

- Partner with the Executive Vice President, Career & Alternative Investments to work with Development team on new corporate partnerships and philanthropic support.

- Serve as a senior point of contact for select high-priority partners, supporting relationship building, renewals, and issue resolution.

- Guide the Partnership team in delivering high-quality partner experience, including successful internship placement and full-time hiring outcomes.

- Address escalations and partner challenges as needed, ensuring strong communication and long-term relationship health.

- Lead and manage the Partnerships team, including Directors and Associate Directors across Partner Relationships and Business Development.

- Set clear goals and expectations, monitor performance, and provide ongoing coaching and professional development.

- Build a collaborative, accountable team culture that balances strategic thinking with strong execution.

- Partner closely with leaders across Program, Pathways, Operations, and Events teams to ensure alignment and successful program delivery.

- Review partnership performance data and team insights to monitor progress against goals and inform decision-making.

- Share updates with leadership on partnership health, risks, and opportunities.

- Contribute to material development for internal stakeholders and board reporting, as needed.

- Master's degree in business or in related fields highly preferred.

- 10-15 years of experience leading teams and programs/initiatives in the for-profit sector with exposure to non-profit a plus.

- Experience driving revenue with corporate partners and exposure to driving revenue with philanthropic foundations is a plus.

- Passion for SEO: A deep curiosity and awareness of the barriers to entry and obstacles for career launch in Corporate America, and a dedication to closing opportunity gaps.

- Relationship Building: Ability to cultivate strong external partnerships with senior level executives.

- Results-Driven: Excellent track record of measurable outcomes and delivery of ambitious results. Ability to motivate and lead a positive and results-focused team culture.

- Strategic Thinking: Ability to bring intellectual curiosity and practical implementation to both the Career and Alternative Investments department and broader SEO-wide opportunities.

- Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills, intellectual depth, and professional presence are critical.

- Team Leadership: Track record of building successful teams, developing initiatives from the ground-up or managing and leading teams through periods of meaningful change.

- Organization: Adept at handling multiple and often competing priorities to meet results in a timely manner and efficient manner. Demonstrated attention to detail.