Director, Strategic Partnerships & Growth

Michigan Central is where founders, industry, researchers, and government come together to test, build, and scale technologies that will define the future of how we build and move in the future.

In this position...

The Director, Strategic Partnerships & Growth will build and manage Michigan Central's external funding relationships across corporate, philanthropic, and individual major giving channels. This is a frontline role with decision-makers at foundations, corporations, and civic institutions. It will also require building out a fundraising strategy.

The position reports directly to the Director of Growth and works closely with senior leadership across Michigan Central and the broader ecosystem of partners.

This position is onsite 5 days per week in Detroit, MI.

What you'll do...

Capital Strategy & Revenue Generation

• Develop and execute a multi-year capital strategy focused on philanthropic, corporate civic, and mission-aligned private giving, with a deliberate emphasis on national funders.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospects; lead all stages from cultivation to close to stewardship.
• Set annual revenue targets and report pipeline health and progress to senior leadership.
• Actively expand Michigan Central's presence and credibility within local and national philanthropy and corporate social impact networks.

External Strategy, Positioning & Civic Partnerships

• Serve as Michigan Central's primary external relationship manager across philanthropic, civic, and corporate partners, owning senior-level touchpoints and long-term engagement plans.
• Develop clear engagement menus for partners (grants, sponsorships, fellowships, convenings) tied directly to Michigan Central's economic development and workforce priorities.
• Lead cross-sector forums and ecosystem convenings that deepen our network and strengthen Michigan Central's position as a national model for place-based innovation.
• Shape how Michigan Central is understood externally as a driver of Detroit and Michigan's economic growth and not just a Ford project.

Narrative & Case Development

• Partner with Marketing & Communications to develop a compelling, consistent narrative for Michigan Central's economic development and workforce agenda.
• Create and maintain high-quality fundraising materials: cases for support, investment decks, one-pagers, impact reports, and executive talking points.
• Build and maintain a library of case studies that demonstrate measurable partner and community impact.
• Ensure clear distinction and alignment between Michigan Central's value to Ford and its broader impact on Detroit and Michigan.

Strategic Foresight & Market Intelligence

• Continuously scan the national philanthropic, corporate giving, and impact-investment landscape for new funding programs, collaborative opportunities, and policy tailwinds.
• Advise Michigan Central leadership on emerging trends in place-based economic development, workforce/skills, and civic innovation.
• Translate market intelligence into concrete partnership and capital strategies.

Internal Coordination & Accountability

• Work closely with program and finance teams to align funding strategies with program design and delivery.
• Establish lightweight internal processes for opportunity intake, decision-making, and grant/sponsorship execution.
• Build a culture of stewardship — ensuring program teams follow through on commitments made to funders and partners.
• Maintain accurate records of relationships, opportunities, and outcomes in shared CRM tools.

What Success Looks Like in 2026

• A documented portfolio of 15 to 20 active relationships across corporate, foundation, and individual giving channels, with a clear stage and next step for each.
• Two or three closed commitments, whether new funding or renewed relationships elevated to a higher level of investment.
• A national funder strategy, built in partnership with leadership, that identifies five or more foundations or corporate giving programs outside Southeast Michigan worth pursuing in year two.
•  A clear working command of the LLC/501(c)(3) distinction and the ability to explain it to any funder.
• Implemented simple, effective processes for tracking opportunities, reporting outcomes, and coordinating with internal teams.

You'll have...

• 8+ years of experience in philanthropy, corporate civic giving, impact investing, or related fields — with a demonstrated trac