We Are Hiring: Partnerships Officer
Mission: Landmark Columbus Foundation (LCF) cares for, celebrates, and advances the cultural heritage of Columbus, Indiana and like-minded communities.
Vision: Transform communities through design excellence.
Values: We love Columbus; Design shapes our lives; We create a stronger community by working together.
About: Landmark Columbus Foundation is a public resource and thought leader for Progressive Preservation in Bartholomew County. It advocates and educates about cultural heritage and is a source of inspiration to advance good design for public benefit throughout Indiana and beyond. To fulfill its mission, Landmark Columbus Foundation works in three key program areas that are intertwined in building the organization’s vision.
Columbus Design Institute is a technical service effort that promotes the value of good design, which built Columbus and was defined by Heritage Fund, The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. CDI completes collaborative projects and events with partners to encourage meaningful investments in the sustainable and equitable development of communities.
Exhibit Columbus is an exploration of community, architecture, art, and design that activates the modern legacy of Columbus, Indiana. It creates a two-year cycle of programming that uses the context of Columbus to convene conversations around innovative ideas and then commissions site-responsive installations to create a free, public exhibition that demonstrates the power of art and architecture to make cities better places to live for everyone.
Progressive Preservation efforts assist in caring for buildings, landscapes, and art in Bartholomew County. Through research, conservation, fundraising, and documentation, it educates and advocates for the stewardship of cultural resources. This work demonstrates a community-based approach to addressing some of the country’s most complex heritage challenges.
The Position: The Partnerships Officer plays a key role in advancing the mission of Landmark Columbus Foundation by fostering strategic, collaborative, and mutually beneficial partnerships. Reporting to the Executive Director, this full-time, year-round role is responsible for effective project management, developing meaningful relationships with community stakeholders, supporting the execution of Exhibit Columbus, developing the Columbus Design Institute, and contributing to Progressive Preservation initiatives. Through these efforts, the Partnerships Officer enhances the organization’s capacity to care for, celebrate, and advance cultural heritage while driving community engagement and impact.
Culture: Landmark Columbus Foundation fosters a fast-paced, collaborative team environment with flexible work styles. Team members work across various projects to deliver high-quality outcomes for the Columbus community and beyond. Success is driven by trust, dedication, and accountability, making it an ideal environment for independent, self-motivated individuals.
Key Responsibilities
Maintain and Build Partnerships:
Work closely with the Executive Director to identify, cultivate, and maintain strategic partnerships with businesses, schools, organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
Encourage and facilitate community engagement with LCF’s projects and events to foster alignment and collective impact.
Represent the organization by attending community meetings or serving on boards and committees with similar visions and goals.
Exhibit Columbus Program Development:
Collaborate with the team to plan and implement Exhibit Columbus, including determining the project’s strategic timeline, identifying community partners, and shaping the exhibition’s thematic concept with the team.
Assist in producing Exhibit Columbus, including coordinating the Miller Prize, University Design Research Fellowship, and High School Design Team components and ensuring smooth project execution.
Recruit and manage volunteers, interns, and subcontractors to support program success.
Support for Other Projects and Events:
Assist in developing the Columbus Design Institute and its projects and events throughout the state and beyond.
Participate in team efforts to complete Progressive Preservation projects and events that advance the organization’s mission.
Qualifications and Desired Skills
Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, project management, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
3+ years of experience in partnership development, community engagement, or program management.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects in a collaborative team environment.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment, adapt to changing priorities, and independently drive initiatives to completion.
Experience recruiting and managing volunteers or subcontractors is a plus.
Familiarity with design, art, architecture, and community development is highly desirable.
Working at Landmark Columbus Foundation
A collaborative and fast-paced team environment.
Flexible work styles supported, with an emphasis on accountability and achieving results.
Requires availability for occasional evening and weekend events.
Compensation and Benefits
Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
Paid time off and flexible working environment.
Opportunities for professional growth and training in nonprofit advancement.
How to Apply:
Submit a letter of interest and resume to:
Richard McCoy, Executive Director
Email: richard@landmarkcolumbus.org
This role is ideal for a passionate, community-focused professional eager to contribute to innovative programs celebrating cultural heritage and advancing good design.
