Director of Strategic Partnerships at Avesta – Portland, Maine

Are you inspired by building meaningful relationships, telling powerful stories, and securing the resources that drive lasting community impact? Do you take pride in leading teams, shaping strategy, and advancing a mission through partnerships and philanthropy? Avesta Housing is seeking a strategic, mission-driven Director of Strategic Partnerships to lead our fundraising and communications efforts and expand support for our work across Maine and New Hampshire.

In this senior leadership role, you'll develop and execute multi-year fundraising and communications strategies, cultivate and steward major donors and partners, and oversee a talented team responsible for grants, donor engagement, and storytelling. You'll collaborate closely with the CEO, executive leadership, and board to strengthen Avesta's public presence, align messaging with organizational priorities, and build partnerships that advance our mission. Every day, your work will help generate the resources and visibility needed to improve lives by creating and maintaining quality, affordable homes for people in need.

This role is a great fit if you:

• Enjoy leading teams while personally engaging donors and partners
• Bring strong expertise in fundraising, communications, and relationship-building
• Thrive in a strategic, fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
• Want to make a lasting impact by advancing housing stability and community well-being

About Avesta Housing

Avesta Housing is a local leader in housing development, property management, and assisted living solutions. Founded in 1972, our nonprofit organization serves individuals and families in need of quality affordable housing in Maine and New Hampshire.

What it's Like to Work Here

Our team members have positive attitudes, are creative problem-solvers, and share a dedication to housing equity and inclusion for all. Our shared commitment to improving the lives of others and strengthening our communities through affordable housing gives us purpose and inspires our best work. Our workplace culture and continuous opportunities for growth have resulted in Avesta Housing being a popular place to work.

Our employees selected Avesta Housing as a 2025 Best Places to Work in Maine because of our opportunities for career advancement, friendly workplace culture, impressive benefits and compensation, responsive managers, and company values!

What We're Looking For

The person who is ready for this opportunity will generally offer these attributes:

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling messages.
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and stakeholder-management abilities.
• Skilled in strategic planning, project management, and balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to analyze fundraising and communications data and apply insights to improve performance.
• Strong judgment, discretion, emotional intelligence, and ability to navigate sensitive external relationships.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and represent the organization professionally in public settings.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Business, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, partnership development, communications, or related fields within nonprofit or mission-driven organizations.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience overseeing professional staff.
• Preferred: experience in affordable housing, community development, or social-impact sectors.
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts and institutional funding, including grant writing and donor stewardship experience.
• Experience developing and implementing communications plans, managing media relations, and producing written content for external audiences.
• Experience with CRM systems and digital engagement tools.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to Avesta sites and community events required

Click HERE to view the full Director of Strategic Partnerships job description.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week) position, and the starting annual salary range is $100,000 - $120,000.

Work Location

This job is on-site at our headquarters located at 307 Cumberland Ave, Portland, Maine, and will require travel to our company’s portfolio of properties in southern Maine and eastern New Hampshire.

Benefits

We have excellent employee benefits, including:

• Employer-paid health and dental plans for employees;
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts;
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with immediate vested match of up to 6%;
• Employer-paid basic life, long-term and short-term disability;
• Free wellness services for benefits-eligible employees and their dependents;
• 13 paid holidays;
• Up to 8 weeks paid parental leave;
• Generous earned time, starting with 22 days in first year of employment;
• Professional development assistance;
• Employee referral bonus program
• Tuition reimbursement

Ready to Apply?

If this job sounds like a fit for you, please click through to our Employment Application. A resume that tells us how your experience is relevant to this role is required.