Partnerships & Outreach Senior Manager, The States Forum

Position: Senior Manager, Partnerships & Outreach
Location:  Remote, with 15% of expected travel for in-person team meetings and events. 
Deadline to apply: 5pm ET on November 18, 2026
 
Who We Are
The States Forum (TSF) was founded on the conviction that delivering for the American people requires more than good policy ideas. It requires good ideas based in a clear, coherent worldview that policymakers can articulate and Americans can aspire to. 
Most Americans want the same things: the freedom to control their own lives and a real path from effort to opportunity. But power over our economy, government, and culture is concentrated in too few hands, leaving a democracy that fails many Americans. TSF helps leaders deliver on what matters most to the people who elected them. TSF’s mission is to reinvigorate Americans’ trust in our democracy by producing and disseminating state-based ideas grounded in our nation’s founding ideals of political equality, universal rights, individual freedom, and true economic opportunity for everyone. 
TSF focuses on states because that’s where the government still works for Americans. We are building a network of thinkers, practitioners, and policymakers who generate ideas. We do this work through partnerships, policy accelerators, research, and convenings; and we publish written, graphic, and video content through our own channels.
Position Details
This is a full-time, exempt, at-will position. The team operates remotely, with occasional in-person team retreats, etc. Some travel will be required. Additional evening and weekend hours are occasionally required to fulfill the duties of this position. 
The Opportunity
The Senior Manager, Partnerships & Outreach will lead TSF’s efforts to grow its network of partners, building relationships with the organizations and individuals who shape state-level policy. Reporting to the Senior Director of Policy, this role will identify and cultivate prospective partners and turn promising connections into lasting collaborations that advance TSF’s mission. Those partners include state government decisionmakers and the staff who work closely with them, state-focused organizations, think tanks, and coalitions.
This position also serves as a public face of TSF at conferences and convenings, sharing our work and building new connections.
The successful candidate will bring a mix of relationship-building skill, organizational discipline, and interest in joining a startup. They enjoy meeting people, can spot an opportunity, and follow through to build partnerships that last. They are a confident communicator in writing and in person, highly organized, and a self-starter. They are also comfortable with travel and a fun person to work with.
What You Will Do
Principal activities will include but not be limited to:
Leading outreach and partnership development for TSF by identifying, researching, and building relationships with prospective partners whose work aligns with TSF’s mission.
Working with the Senior Director of Policy to find where partners can help shape TSF ideas, inform promising policy areas, and amplify TSF products.
Representing TSF at conferences, convenings, and other events to share our work and build new connections.
Responsibilities

Partner development
Identify and research prospective partners. Priorities include key state government decisionmakers and influential staff, state-focused organizations, think tanks, coalitions, and other groups that work in or influence state policy. Conduct proactive outreach, build relationships, and move promising conversations toward formal partnerships. Develop and maintain a partnership pipeline that tracks contacts, status, next steps, and outcomes. Steward existing partner relationships to keep them active, mutually beneficial, and aligned with TSF priorities.

Events and outreach
Coordinate follow-up after events to turn new connections into ongoing relationships. Support TSF-hosted or co-hosted convenings with partners as needed. Develop outreach materials, such as one-pagers, partner briefings, and talking points, in coordination with the content team.

Reporting
Track and report on partnership and outreach activity, with regular updates and recommendations to leadership on new opportunities to collaborate and grow TSF’s network.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience 5–10 years of relevant professional experience in partnerships, outreach, external affairs, or coalition building Demonstrated success building and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders Highly organized, with the ability to manage a pipeline and multiple relationships at once Capable of independently managing time and tasks associated with a fast-paced organization; a self-starter who takes initiative and follows through Clear communication skills, both written and verbal, with comfort representing an organization in person Willingness to travel for events and meetings

Desired Qualifications
Expert-level ability to build coalitions or partnerships across organizations with differing priorities Experience with state government, state-focused organizations, or the state-level policy landscape Experience with relationship-management or CRM tools for tracking a partnership pipeline Experience working in a startup or early-stage organization

What You Can Expect During the Recruitment and Hiring Process:
All applicants will submit a resume and cover letter. Selected applicants will be moved forward to a phone screen. The next steps will include interviews with leadership.