Strategy Director Jobs in California
Strategy Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, entertainment, healthcare, and financial services, with openings ranging from senior manager to C-suite adjacent leadership. The largest hiring markets are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers like Google, Disney, and Kaiser Permanente have long maintained significant strategy functions. Corporate strategy, growth strategy, and go-to-market planning are the most consistently in-demand specializations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position Overview
The Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships will lead City Year Bay Area’s strategy for building, stewarding, and growing high-impact external partnerships that advance the site’s mission, deepen community investment, and expand opportunities for students, AmeriCorps members, staff, alumni, and partners across the Bay Area.Job Description
Minimum Qualifications
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic partnerships, fundraising, business development, external engagement, corporate relations, community affairs, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing senior-level external relationships and translating organizational priorities into partnership strategies, proposals, communications, and stewardship plans.
- Experience working cross-functionally with senior leaders and internal teams to manage complex projects, relationships, events, or initiatives.
- Authorized documentation to work in the United States of America.
- Criminal background history clearance to work with school-age children, depending on position requirements.
Responsibilities
The Managing Director of strategic Partnerships will perform the following roles and responsibilities as described below:
Strategic Partnership Development, External Engagement & Executive Communications
- Develop and lead a comprehensive strategic partnerships plan that strengthens relationships with corporations, foundations, civic leaders, community organizations, alumni, school partners, and other external stakeholders while identifying and managing high-value opportunities that advance City Year Bay Area’s strategic priorities, revenue and engagement goals, and visibility for impact.
- Build and manage a comprehensive project plan for a $16M, four-year investment to expand City Year Bay Area’s work in Eastside San José, coordinating internal teams, external partners, timelines, deliverables, reporting, and decision points to ensure strong execution and alignment with sitewide priorities.
- Represent City Year Bay Area in external meetings, partner convenings, community events, and other forums with credibility, professionalism, and a strong understanding of the organization’s mission, model, and impact.
- Prepare executive briefings, talking points, partner profiles, meeting materials, stewardship updates, and other communications that equip the Executive Director and senior leaders to advance strategic relationships.
- Translate City Year Bay Area’s impact, program model, and strategic priorities into compelling narratives for funders, corporate partners, public officials, school partners, and community stakeholders.
- Monitor local partnership trends, community needs, education and workforce development priorities, and philanthropic opportunities to inform proactive partnership strategy.
Revenue, Stewardship & Partnership Portfolio Management
- Partner with the Executive Director, Development team, and site leadership to support corporate, philanthropic, and community investment strategies that help City Year Bay Area reach its $2.7M private revenue goal, including cultivation, proposal development, sponsorship opportunities, stewardship touchpoints, and renewal planning.
- Manage a portfolio of strategic partnership relationships, ensuring each relationship has clear goals, defined next steps, strong documentation, and consistent follow-through.
- Develop metrics, dashboards, briefings, and reporting tools to evaluate partnership health, return on engagement, stakeholder satisfaction, and alignment with City Year Bay Area priorities.
Cross-Functional Partnership Strategy & Internal Alignment
- Work closely with the Chief of Staff to ensure partnership strategy is aligned with sitewide priorities, executive communications, board engagement, staff capacity, and cross-departmental planning.
- Collaborate with Development, Impact, People & Operations, Recruitment, Marketing & Communications, and national teams to design well-coordinated, mission-aligned, and operationally feasible partner experiences, supported by clear internal systems and communication routines that keep teams aligned on commitments, opportunities, deliverables, deadlines, and decision points.
Leadership, Collaboration & Learning
- Lead project teams, consultants, or staff as assigned, setting clear expectations, managing performance, and fostering an environment of belonging, collaboration, accountability, and inclusion.
- Role model a growth mindset and commitment to City Year’s culture and values as a senior leader within a youth-serving organization.
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director to advance City Year Bay Area’s mission and strategic priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, public policy, education, communications, external affairs, or a related field, or comparable professional experience.
- Experience in a nonprofit, education, youth development, workforce development, national service, corporate social responsibility, foundation, or public-private partnership setting.
- Demonstrated success developing or managing strategic partnerships that support revenue generation, volunteer engagement, thought leadership, events, community engagement, or multi-year initiatives, including experience contributing to strategies that help secure major annual funding priorities such as an approximately $1.5M challenge match and an approximately $3M sitewide private revenue target.
- Experience working with executive leaders, board members, corporate partners, public officials, school districts, philanthropic partners, or community coalitions.
- Comfort using CRM,(Salesforce) project management, presentation, and collaboration tools to track relationships, analyze engagement, and manage follow-through.
- City Year, AmeriCorps, or national service experience is a plus.
Competencies
In order to succeed in this role, an applicant must have the following competencies:
- Strategic Thinking: Identifies multiple pathways to address complex and nebulous problems; anticipates barriers and opportunities; develops plans to address them.
- Collaboration: Connects with stakeholders to identify shared interests; partners with others to incorporate different perspectives toward a common goal.
- Understanding & Building Connection: Considers perspectives of others and cultivates relationships to strengthen interpersonal bonds with colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Decision-Making: Uses appropriate context and data to make sensible and timely decisions; displays sound judgment when faced with opportunities/challenges.
- Project Management: Organizes, prioritizes, tracks, and manages workflow and resources into becoming a cohesive unit; fosters belonging, collaboration, and inclusion.
Technical & Functional Skills
- Ability to develop partnership strategies, cultivation plans, stakeholder briefings, stewardship materials, proposals, reports, and executive communications.
- Proficiency using CRM, (Salesforce) project management, and collaboration tools to track stakeholder engagement, commitments, deadlines, and follow-up actions.
- Strong public speaking, facilitation, writing, and presentation skills for senior-level internal and external audiences.
- Ability to use data and relationship insights to evaluate partnership effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
Physical requirements
- Ability to sit for extended periods and occasionally stand or walk.
- Manual dexterity for typing, writing, and handling standard office equipment.
- Visual acuity to read screens and printed materials.
- Hearing ability to participate in conversations and respond to phone or video calls.
- Occasional lifting or carrying of items up to 10–20 pounds, such as event or office materials. Ability to communicate clearly in person, by phone, by video conference, and in writing.
Working Conditions
- Operates in a professional office setting, partner meeting spaces, school partner environments, and community event settings using standard office equipment. ·
- Requires regular travel throughout the Bay Area for partner meetings, school visits, volunteer engagement opportunities, community convenings, and City Year events. ·
- Typical schedule is Monday–Friday during standard business hours, with occasional early morning, evening, or weekend commitments based on partner meetings and events. ·
- Noise level is generally moderate and may vary during community, school, or partner events. · Must have reliable internet access for remote or flexible work arrangements, as applicable.
Compensation
- Compensation: $125,000 - $130,000 Annually Commensurate with Experience and Location
Benefits
Full-time employees will be eligible for all benefits including vacation, sick days and organization holidays. You may participate in all benefit programs that City Year establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Currently, City Year offers medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and other benefits including 401(k) plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 401(k) plan document. For more information, click here.
Employment at City Year is at-will.
City Year does not sponsor work authorization visas.
Position Overview
The Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships will lead City Year Bay Area’s strategy for building, stewarding, and growing high-impact external partnerships that advance the site’s mission, deepen community investment, and expand opportunities for students, AmeriCorps members, staff, alumni, and partners across the Bay Area.Job Description
Minimum Qualifications
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic partnerships, fundraising, business development, external engagement, corporate relations, community affairs, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing senior-level external relationships and translating organizational priorities into partnership strategies, proposals, communications, and stewardship plans.
- Experience working cross-functionally with senior leaders and internal teams to manage complex projects, relationships, events, or initiatives.
- Authorized documentation to work in the United States of America.
- Criminal background history clearance to work with school-age children, depending on position requirements.
Responsibilities
The Managing Director of strategic Partnerships will perform the following roles and responsibilities as described below:
Strategic Partnership Development, External Engagement & Executive Communications
- Develop and lead a comprehensive strategic partnerships plan that strengthens relationships with corporations, foundations, civic leaders, community organizations, alumni, school partners, and other external stakeholders while identifying and managing high-value opportunities that advance City Year Bay Area’s strategic priorities, revenue and engagement goals, and visibility for impact.
- Build and manage a comprehensive project plan for a $16M, four-year investment to expand City Year Bay Area’s work in Eastside San José, coordinating internal teams, external partners, timelines, deliverables, reporting, and decision points to ensure strong execution and alignment with sitewide priorities.
- Represent City Year Bay Area in external meetings, partner convenings, community events, and other forums with credibility, professionalism, and a strong understanding of the organization’s mission, model, and impact.
- Prepare executive briefings, talking points, partner profiles, meeting materials, stewardship updates, and other communications that equip the Executive Director and senior leaders to advance strategic relationships.
- Translate City Year Bay Area’s impact, program model, and strategic priorities into compelling narratives for funders, corporate partners, public officials, school partners, and community stakeholders.
- Monitor local partnership trends, community needs, education and workforce development priorities, and philanthropic opportunities to inform proactive partnership strategy.
Revenue, Stewardship & Partnership Portfolio Management
- Partner with the Executive Director, Development team, and site leadership to support corporate, philanthropic, and community investment strategies that help City Year Bay Area reach its $2.7M private revenue goal, including cultivation, proposal development, sponsorship opportunities, stewardship touchpoints, and renewal planning.
- Manage a portfolio of strategic partnership relationships, ensuring each relationship has clear goals, defined next steps, strong documentation, and consistent follow-through.
- Develop metrics, dashboards, briefings, and reporting tools to evaluate partnership health, return on engagement, stakeholder satisfaction, and alignment with City Year Bay Area priorities.
Cross-Functional Partnership Strategy & Internal Alignment
- Work closely with the Chief of Staff to ensure partnership strategy is aligned with sitewide priorities, executive communications, board engagement, staff capacity, and cross-departmental planning.
- Collaborate with Development, Impact, People & Operations, Recruitment, Marketing & Communications, and national teams to design well-coordinated, mission-aligned, and operationally feasible partner experiences, supported by clear internal systems and communication routines that keep teams aligned on commitments, opportunities, deliverables, deadlines, and decision points.
Leadership, Collaboration & Learning
- Lead project teams, consultants, or staff as assigned, setting clear expectations, managing performance, and fostering an environment of belonging, collaboration, accountability, and inclusion.
- Role model a growth mindset and commitment to City Year’s culture and values as a senior leader within a youth-serving organization.
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director to advance City Year Bay Area’s mission and strategic priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, public policy, education, communications, external affairs, or a related field, or comparable professional experience.
- Experience in a nonprofit, education, youth development, workforce development, national service, corporate social responsibility, foundation, or public-private partnership setting.
- Demonstrated success developing or managing strategic partnerships that support revenue generation, volunteer engagement, thought leadership, events, community engagement, or multi-year initiatives, including experience contributing to strategies that help secure major annual funding priorities such as an approximately $1.5M challenge match and an approximately $3M sitewide private revenue target.
- Experience working with executive leaders, board members, corporate partners, public officials, school districts, philanthropic partners, or community coalitions.
- Comfort using CRM,(Salesforce) project management, presentation, and collaboration tools to track relationships, analyze engagement, and manage follow-through.
- City Year, AmeriCorps, or national service experience is a plus.
Competencies
In order to succeed in this role, an applicant must have the following competencies:
- Strategic Thinking: Identifies multiple pathways to address complex and nebulous problems; anticipates barriers and opportunities; develops plans to address them.
- Collaboration: Connects with stakeholders to identify shared interests; partners with others to incorporate different perspectives toward a common goal.
- Understanding & Building Connection: Considers perspectives of others and cultivates relationships to strengthen interpersonal bonds with colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Decision-Making: Uses appropriate context and data to make sensible and timely decisions; displays sound judgment when faced with opportunities/challenges.
- Project Management: Organizes, prioritizes, tracks, and manages workflow and resources into becoming a cohesive unit; fosters belonging, collaboration, and inclusion.
Technical & Functional Skills
- Ability to develop partnership strategies, cultivation plans, stakeholder briefings, stewardship materials, proposals, reports, and executive communications.
- Proficiency using CRM, (Salesforce) project management, and collaboration tools to track stakeholder engagement, commitments, deadlines, and follow-up actions.
- Strong public speaking, facilitation, writing, and presentation skills for senior-level internal and external audiences.
- Ability to use data and relationship insights to evaluate partnership effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
Physical requirements
- Ability to sit for extended periods and occasionally stand or walk.
- Manual dexterity for typing, writing, and handling standard office equipment.
- Visual acuity to read screens and printed materials.
- Hearing ability to participate in conversations and respond to phone or video calls.
- Occasional lifting or carrying of items up to 10–20 pounds, such as event or office materials. Ability to communicate clearly in person, by phone, by video conference, and in writing.
Working Conditions
- Operates in a professional office setting, partner meeting spaces, school partner environments, and community event settings using standard office equipment. ·
- Requires regular travel throughout the Bay Area for partner meetings, school visits, volunteer engagement opportunities, community convenings, and City Year events. ·
- Typical schedule is Monday–Friday during standard business hours, with occasional early morning, evening, or weekend commitments based on partner meetings and events. ·
- Noise level is generally moderate and may vary during community, school, or partner events. · Must have reliable internet access for remote or flexible work arrangements, as applicable.
Compensation
- Compensation: $125,000 - $130,000 Annually Commensurate with Experience and Location
Benefits
Full-time employees will be eligible for all benefits including vacation, sick days and organization holidays. You may participate in all benefit programs that City Year establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Currently, City Year offers medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and other benefits including 401(k) plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 401(k) plan document. For more information, click here.
Employment at City Year is at-will.
City Year does not sponsor work authorization visas.
See All 294+ Strategy Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Strategy Director JobsStrategy Director Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Strategy Director Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Gilead Sciences22
- Visa6
- Adobe5
- Intuit4
- Illumina4
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software16
- Banking & Financial Services5
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals5
- Retail3
- Medical Devices3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in strategy director jobs across California.
- MBA or advanced degree in business, strategy, or a related field typically required
- Seven or more years of progressive experience in strategy, management consulting, or corporate planning
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional strategic initiatives at a California-based or global organization
- Proficiency in financial modeling, market analysis, and data-driven decision-making frameworks
- Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills at the VP or C-suite level
- Experience with competitive intelligence, M&A due diligence, or market entry planning preferred
Strategy Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a strategy director in California?
Most strategy directors in California follow a path that begins with an MBA from a California institution such as Stanford GSB, Haas, UCLA Anderson, or Marshall, or entry into a top management consulting firm. From there, candidates typically move through analyst and senior analyst roles into manager and director positions. California employers place particular weight on experience within the state's dominant industries, including technology, entertainment, and healthcare, and on demonstrated ability to lead multi-stakeholder initiatives in complex organizations.
Which companies hire strategy directors in California?
Employers hiring strategy directors in California right now include Gilead Sciences, Visa, and Adobe, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, major health systems, and global entertainment studios means demand for strategy leadership is broad and sustained across multiple sectors.
Which California cities have the most strategy director jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have the most strategy director openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its dense concentration of technology and venture-backed companies headquartered there, while Los Angeles draws significant demand from entertainment, media, and consumer brands, and San Diego's life sciences and defense sector supports a steady need for senior strategy leadership.
Are there remote strategy director jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. Strategy director work is primarily analytical, advisory, and communicative, making it well suited to remote or hybrid arrangements. About 75% of strategy director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how broadly California employers have embraced flexible work for senior non-operational roles. Portfolio strategy, market analysis, and planning functions are the most commonly offered in fully remote formats.
How can I get hired as a strategy director in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a strategy analyst or associate role at a California management consulting firm, a corporate strategy team, or a high-growth technology company. Large California employers including technology companies in the Bay Area and integrated health systems like Kaiser Permanente run associate strategy programs and rotational leadership tracks that build toward director-level advancement. Candidates without direct strategy titles benefit from lateral moves from roles in finance, product management, or business operations, paired with an MBA from a California program or a demonstrable project portfolio showing structured problem-solving.
Where can I find and apply to strategy director jobs in California?
You can find and apply to strategy director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from California employers. Find roles that fit your experience and seniority level and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 294+ Strategy Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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