Director, ConnectUS

The Columbus Partnership is a nonprofit organization of CEOs from Columbus' leading businesses and institutions. Through our membership and other ally organizations across Central Ohio, the Partnership upholds a shared vision to make Columbus the most prosperous region in the country.

The Columbus Partnership team also includes One Columbus, one of the nation’s top economic development teams that serves the 11-county Columbus Region; and Smart Columbus, a civic innovation lab that advances what is new and next at the intersection of technology and community good.

Can you imagine Columbus as the most prosperous region in the United States, where more and more people are able to improve their economic and social well-being? We do, every day.

The director, ConnectUS leads efforts to expand access to affordable, reliable internet, devices and digital skills while creating pathways for individuals to fully participate in today’s digital economy. ConnectUS is a community-wide initiative focused on closing the digital divide in Franklin County and sits within the Smart Columbus innovation lab.

As a strategic leader and connector, the director oversees the ConnectUS program portfolio, program management office (PMO) operations and a cross-functional team dedicated to advancing digital equity. The position provides leadership across program strategy and delivery, coalition and stakeholder engagement, financial and grant oversight, program evaluation and team development while ensuring measurable outcomes that align with digital equity goals.

The director plays a key role in strengthening and expanding ConnectUS through cross-sector partnerships, continuous program improvement and the identification of future funding and growth opportunities. This senior-level opportunity is well suited for an experienced program leader who excels at the intersection of community impact, strategic operations, people leadership and cross-sector collaboration and who can build strong relationships with nonprofits, educational institutions, public sector entities, funders and community leaders.

This role is grant-funded through 2027. Continuation of the position beyond 2027 will depend on the organization successfully securing additional or diversified funding streams.

Director, Smart Columbus

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the ConnectUS program portfolio, including program design, implementation, scaling and continuous improvement.
• Lead and manage a high-performing team responsible for program operations, participant engagement and project delivery; provide coaching, performance management and professional development.
• Oversee program management office (PMO) functions, including standardized processes, reporting, risk management, data systems and cross-project coordination.
• Lead the development and execution of program strategy, annual goals, performance metrics and scaling plans.
• Identify new program opportunities, innovative approaches and funding prospects to sustain and expand digital equity initiatives.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with ConnectUS Coalition and other key partners to ensure alignment with regional priorities.
• Lead the ConnectUS Coalition Steering Committee and associated work groups to guide strategic program development, long-term sustainability and coordinated community impact.
• Develop and nurture strategic relationships with community partners, training providers, funders and stakeholders to co-design and deliver impactful digital equity programs.
• Represent ConnectUS and Smart Columbus at community forums, conferences and regional…