The Company
Building Impact Partners is a philanthropy advising firm that works with changemakers who want to solve big challenges and move people, communities, and society forward for good. With expertise spanning education, social innovation, workforce development, and advocacy, along with experience in large-scale program implementation and launching nonprofits, our team has the insights, imagination, and determination to build bold, effective solutions that endure. We believe philanthropy can be an engine for systems change, so we help our clients move from intention to impact and work with and across the philanthropic community to build the knowledge, skills, and mindsets needed to create a more just and equitable world. As a mission-driven organization, we are intentional about attracting diverse, values-aligned talent. We look to hire self-starters and provide the support and runway they need to chart their career paths within our organization or beyond. We are committed to being a high-performing team that delivers value to our clients, partners, and the field. Every team member plays an integral role in our firm’s success.
The Role
Open to Principal (I) or Principal (II) level based on proven business development experience
The Principal serves as the lead on multiple client engagements and is responsible for delivering exceptional advisory work while developing strong, trusted client relationships. This role requires deep expertise in strategy consulting, outstanding relationship management skills, and the ability to both set the vision for client engagements and guide project teams to execute effectively against that vision. Some experience in philanthropy or philanthropy advising is strongly preferred.
As a Principal, you will direct, manage, and coach Senior Associates, Associates, and Analysts across multiple engagements, while ensuring the Partner (in most cases, the client relationship owner) is effectively leveraged as an active senior advisor and thought partner throughout each engagement. For candidates with demonstrated business development success, this role may also include expanded responsibility for originating new client relationships and growing existing accounts.
This role is fully remote and travel expectations vary based on client needs. This can range from minimal travel to periods of more frequent travel (e.g., multiple trips in a month). On average, we anticipate traveling once per month.
Who May Thrive in This Role
Competitive candidates will likely reflect one or more of the profiles below. These are not strict requirements, but examples of the experiences, skills, and motivations that often lead to success in the role.
- A trusted philanthropy advisor who enjoys partnering with clients on their journey, leading and coaching team members, and balancing strategic vision-setting with flawless execution. You are committed to delivering work that meets or exceeds client expectations.
- An entrepreneurial leader who has built or scaled an organization, enjoys wearing multiple hats, and is energized by creating positive impact. You are highly effective at prioritization, making sound decisions with incomplete information, and leading through ambiguity.
- A mission-driven leader who believes deeply in our organization’s purpose, has the ability to manage the perspectives and goals of multiple stakeholders, and is motivated by impact as well as growth potential for themselves and the firm.
Key Responsibilities
Client Leadership & Delivery
- Collaborate with Partners on project scopes and budgets, effectively demonstrating our value-add to clients and prospective clients.
- Set the vision, scope, and workplan for multiple engagements, translating client needs into meaningful outcomes and clear execution plans.
- Lead all aspects of engagements, ensuring excellent client service, strong team experience, and sound budget/resource management.
- Build trusted client relationships through deep listening, sound judgment, adaptability, and consistent delivery.
- Navigate ambiguity and complex client dynamics, surfacing assumptions, clarifying priorities, and solving difficult challenges.
- Generate strategic insights that move the work forward by leveraging prior experience, pattern recognition, and creative problem-solving.
- Effectively leverage Partners or senior leaders as advisors, demonstrating strong judgment on when and how to escalate or engage support.
Team Leadership
- Manage, coach, and develop a team of talent across the firm, as well as lead engagement team members, creating clarity, accountability, and opportunities for development at each level.
- Foster a high-performing team environment that balances rigor, collaboration, and learning.
- Contribute to overall team culture by playing a role in team retreats, staff meetings, etc.
Business Development (for candidates with commercial experience)
- Identify, cultivate, and secure new client opportunities aligned with the firm’s mission and capabilities.
- Expand relationships with existing clients through thoughtful account leadership and value creation.
- Contribute to proposals, pitches, thought leadership, and market development efforts.
- Achieve revenue goals established in partnership with firm leadership.
Leveling Note
We are open to hiring at different levels depending on candidates’ experience and demonstrated success in client leadership, business development, and revenue generation. Candidates with a strong track record of both selling and leading advisory engagements may be considered for a higher compensation level.
Qualifications
- 15+ years of relevant experience in consulting, philanthropy, or social impact, with a proven track record of increasing responsibility and results
- Strong generalist across subject matter, with deep consulting and leadership skills
- Ability to set clear vision and strategy, think several steps ahead, and anticipate team and business needs
- Trusted relationship builder who listens deeply, understands stakeholder priorities, and builds credibility across diverse perspectives and subject areas
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to tailor style to diverse stakeholders and drive engagement
- Strong people manager and talent developer who balances support with accountability, manages upward effectively, and drives team success
- Strong data-driven judgment and coaching skills, including oversight of high-quality deliverables (e.g., decks, models, memos)
- Commercially savvy, with the ability to identify emerging opportunities, generate new business, and evaluate decisions through both impact and financial lenses
- Ability to navigate shifting priorities and work or attend meetings outside traditional hours when needed
Compensation
- Principal (I) Base Salary: $185,000 - $250,000
- Annual performance-based bonus opportunity of 25% of salary.
- Principal (II) Base Salary: A candidate who is able to both lead engagements and has a track record demonstrating their ability to develop their own book of business could expect a salary between $225,000 - $350,000 with an expected bonus of up to 30% of salary.
New team members’ salaries are typically at the midpoint of a role's salary range. Building Impact Partners uses a variable bonus structure—team members’ final bonus is determined based on firm and individual performance. Building Impact Partners utilizes a variable bonus structure–team members’ actual bonus is determined based on Firm and individual performance.
Benefits
- Fully remote organization, with flexibility to work anywhere in the continental United States
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance, and an employer contribution to offset
- employer-sponsored plan premiums
- FSA and HSA accounts, company-paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance, and supplemental coverage options
- 401(k) plan with automatic 6% employer contribution
- Monthly phone and internet stipend
- Professional development stipend
- 45 days off per calendar year, including holidays, vacation, and sick time
- Two paid days per year for volunteer work
Commitment to Diversity
Building Impact Partners does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, contractors, and vendors.
Work Authorization
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
