Director, Leadership Programs

Description

Why the Partnership
When you join the Greater Houston Partnership, you get the opportunity to work with an organization helping guide the future of the Houston region. Our team of professionals work across multiple disciplines, including: Economic Development (Regional and International), Executive, Finance & Accounting, Marketing & Communications, Member Engagement, Public Policy, Regional Workforce Development, Research, Resources, and the Center for Houston’s Future.

The Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. As the economic development organization for the region, the Partnership champions growth across 12 counties by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area’s long-term success. Representing more than 900 member organizations and approximately one-fifth of the region’s workforce, the Partnership is the place companies come together to make an impact.

We look forward to telling you more about the organization and helping determine if a career with the Partnership is right for you!

Today, We Are Looking For

Director of Leadership Programs who will lead the strategy, recruitment, stewardship, curriculum development, content creation, and member experience for the Partnership's leadership programs: Executive Women's Partnership (EWP), Women on the Rise (WOTR), and Houston Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE). This role develops compelling leadership experiences, identifies and prepares speakers, creates speaker and panel remarks, and fosters meaningful relationships that advance professional development, member engagement, and retention. The Director works closely with Member Engagement, Inclusive Leadership and Opportunity, Events Execution, and Marketing and Communications (MarCom) partners to deliver cohesive, high-quality programming aligned with Partnership priorities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following responsibilities are essential to job performance:

• Develop and execute a strategic plan for EWP, WOTR, and HYPE, including annual program goals, participant recruitment, member stewardship, curriculum, engagement, and retention.
• Be accountable for achieving approved annual attendance and enrollment, participant retention, and revenue goals for each of EWP, WOTR, and HYPE, including program subscription and enrollment revenue and sponsorship revenue, in coordination with the appropriate internal teams.
• Lead annual theme development and design cohesive learning journeys and curriculum arcs for leadership program sessions, ensuring relevant, high-quality leadership development content.
• Collaborate closely with Inclusive Leadership and Opportunity, Events Execution, MarCom, and other internal partners to align leadership offerings with organizational priorities and ensure seamless member experiences.
• Partner with Member Engagement on annual program and content planning and on participant engagement, retention, and subscription-renewal strategies, including coordinated relationship management, sharing engagement data, and identifying at-risk participants and opportunities for deeper involvement.
• Create program concepts, session outlines, agendas, briefing materials, discussion questions, speaker and panel remarks, facilitator guides, and other written content.
• Identify, recruit, cultivate, and prepare speakers, panelists, moderators, facilitators, and executive leaders; coordinate content preparation and program messaging.
• Develop and facilitate engaging in-person and virtual leadership sessions, peer discussions, mentoring experiences, and networking opportunities as appropriate.
• Lead HYPE curriculum and engagement planning, including annual themes, a kickoff and three program sessions, HYPE Champion orientation, quarterly Champion check-ins and other engagements as identified.
• Lead WOTR curriculum and engagement planning, including annual themes, a kickoff and three program sessions, mentorship applications and review, mentor recruitment, mentor/mentee matching, and other engagements as identified.
• Lead EWP executive engagement planning, including the annual meeting, behind-the-scenes experiences, member programming, and annual retreat; serve as the Partnership liaison to the EWP Chair and Steering Committee to strengthen engagement.
• Facilitate EWP membership application reviews through the Steering Committee, maintain the Inner Circle directory, recruit Dine Around hosts, and support committee meetings and engagement activities, including retreat and mentorship committees.
• Build and maintain relationships with current and prospective EWP, WOTR, and HYPE members; provide responsive service, develop recruitment pipelines, and promote meaningful member connections.
• Serve as a primary program-content and engagement contact for HYPE Champions and EWP Steering Committee members, in coordination with executive leadership and the Events Execution team.
• Partner with the Events Execution team on program calendars, run of show, logistics handoffs, registration communications, event delivery, and post-event follow-up; maintain clear accountability for content and curriculum.
• Collaborate with MarCom on targeted promotional messaging, audience development, speaker announcements, and member communications for leadership programs.
• Coordinate with Partnership leadership on program plans, deliverables, speaker strategy, and approvals; provide regular progress updates and participate in planning meetings with program and event leads.
• Maintain accurate program and participant records, speaker and prospect information, committee rosters, and engagement data using Partnership systems, including Salesforce, Cvent, and Basecamp.
• Track and evaluate attendance, participant feedback, engagement, recruitment, retention, program outcomes, and other relevant performance indicators; recommend improvements based on results.
• Collaborate with the VP, Events & Programs, SVP, Membership and Investor Relations, and Sponsorship team on leadership program budgets, enrollment and subscription revenue, sponsorship revenue, and financial forecasting; monitor performance against approved budgets.
• Actively engage and steward key leadership program sponsors in partnership with the Sponsorship team; demonstrate sponsor value, support fulfillment of program-related commitments, and contribute to renewal and growth strategies.
• Manage, develop, and direct assigned team members, as applicable, and uphold the confidentiality of member and organizational information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong proficiency in strategy and program development.
• Demonstrated background and skills in leadership programming, leadership development curriculum design, and adult learning or professional development facilitation.
• Ability to recruit and steward participants, build executive relationships, and design meaningful mentoring and peer-learning experiences.
• Strong writing and editorial skills for curriculum, speaker briefings, panel questions, executive remarks, and member-facing communications.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills; effective and engaging storyteller.
• Project Management skills – handles complexity and prioritizes competing demands effectively.
• Relationship builder who initiates and develops solid working relationships with potential and existing members.
• Excellent Interpersonal Communication Skills – using the right communication method both verbally and in writing while understanding customer needs.
• Proficiency in these business, project, and event management systems: Office 365 and all Microsoft products, Windows, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook; and Basecamp, Salesforce and CVENT
• Public speaking skills.
• Professional appearance.
• Preference for working with all levels of internal and external contacts.
• Ability to exercise judgment and tact.
• Preference for fast-paced, goal and team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines, with minimal supervision.
• Self-motivated and directed.
• Ability and flexibility to prioritize and work on multiple assignments.
• Ability to pay attention to detail.
• Strong leadership and personnel development skills.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred. Certification in leadership programming/ leadership development, coaching, facilitation, adult learning, or a related field strongly preferred.

Required Experience

Minimum 5 years of experience in leadership programming, leadership development, curriculum or program design, member engagement, or a related field; experience working with executive leaders and professional development programs preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Good vision and hearing acuity (with adaptive aids if necessary).
• Manual dexterity and skillful use of computer keyboard.
• Physical exertion includes bending, pushing, standing, and walking. Must be able to move or lift approximately 25 pounds on occasion.

Mental and Aptitude Requirements

• Job requires the ability to hear, see, and talk; analytical, conceptual, problem-solving, planning, and decision-making skills.

Safety Requirements

• Adhere to the office safety policies and procedures.

The Greater Houston Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are treated without regard to such factors as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other reason prohibited by law.