Director of Business Development & Partnerships

Department: Shared Services
Reports To: COO
FLSA Status: Exempt
Last Updated: November 1, 2026

General Summary

The Director of Business Development & Partnerships is responsible for developing and executing strategies that expand the Homes for Heroes Hero Ecosystem, grow existing and new revenue streams, and strengthen the value delivered to heroes.

This role identifies, develops, and manages strategic partnerships, affiliate growth channels, and new business opportunities, taking initiatives from concept through implementation and measurable results. The Director works across the organization to turn strategic opportunities into successful, scalable business offerings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create, own, and execute the strategy for expanding the Hero Ecosystem and diversifying revenue.
• Identify and prioritize new business opportunities based on hero value, revenue potential, strategic fit, and operational complexity.
• Develop a repeatable partnership model for evaluating, structuring, pricing, launching, measuring, and scaling opportunities.
• Develop new affiliate growth opportunities through brokerage relationships, institutional partnerships, and expansion into additional affiliate and service categories, including insurance and other home-related services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Proven experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or new business growth.
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities, negotiate partnerships, and generate measurable business results.
• Strong project management and execution skills, with a track record of taking initiatives from concept through successful implementation.
• Entrepreneurial, resourceful, and hands-on, with the ability to operate effectively in a lean organization.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including business case development, pricing, and performance evaluation.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to influence and coordinate cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Experience developing scalable business models, partnerships, or new service offerings preferred.
• Real estate, mortgage, insurance, or related industry experience preferred.
• Adaptable to change and able to manage shifting priorities.
• Alignment with company core values.
• Demonstrates “Get It, Want It, Capacity to Do It.”

Business Development & Growth Strategy

• Develop new affiliate growth opportunities through brokerage relationships, institutional partnerships, and expansion into additional affiliate and service categories, including insurance and other home-related services.

• Create, own, and execute the strategy for expanding the Hero Ecosystem and diversifying revenue.

• Identify and prioritize new business opportunities based on hero value, revenue potential, strategic fit, and operational complexity.

• Develop a repeatable partnership model for evaluating, structuring, pricing, launching, measuring, and scaling opportunities.

Strategic Parnerships

• Identify, negotiate, and develop partnerships that bring more heroes into Homes for Heroes or expand the value offered to them.
• Build institutional distribution relationships with employers, associations, unions, hospitals, public-sector organizations, and other hero-focused groups.
• Own the business relationship, development, and ongoing performance of Horace Mann and future strategic partners.
• Establish mutually beneficial partnership structures with clear objectives, responsibilities, and performance expectations.

Project Management & Execution

• Personally drive initiatives from business case development and planning through implementation, launch, and ongoing optimization.
• Develop and manage project plans, milestones, deliverables, and timelines, ensuring initiatives move forward and achieve intended outcomes.
• Coordinate execution across Marketing, Affiliate, Technology, Legal, Finance, and Foundation, actively resolving obstacles and maintaining accountability.
• Balance strategic planning with hands-on execution, completing necessary work directly while coordinating resources across teams.
• Partner with Affiliate Growth leadership to transition new affiliate channels and offerings into ongoing operations with clear accountability.

Performance & Business Results

• Establish measurable goals and success criteria for new partnerships, pilots, and business offerings.
• Monitor partnership performance, hero engagement, affiliate growth, revenue contribution, and return on investment.
• Recommend when to scale, refine, or discontinue initiatives based on results.
• Provide leadership with regular updates on progress, opportunities, challenges, and business impact.

Benefits and Perks

Salary range of $120,000–$140,000 + bonus

Other Requirements

• This position is expected to be worked within core business hours and occasionally requires participation in after-hours work for special events.

• This is a 100% remote position available to candidates residing in: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia.
• Must have reliable high-speed internet capable of supporting an omnichannel communication solution and a dedicated and professional home office environment is required.
• There are no special physical demands. Extended periods of computer and telephone work may be required.