Client Partnerships Consultant

WHO WE ARE

CCS Fundraising is an international strategic fundraising firm that partners with nonprofits for transformational change. Since 1947, CCS has empowered many of the world’s leading organizations across sectors to advance some of the most important causes in history. We plan, manage, and implement programs and initiatives that achieve fundraising goals and mission impact. This year, we were named one of Forbes’ America’s Best Management Consulting Firms 2026, based on recommendations from clients and consulting peers.

CCS provides tailored support to more than 700 nonprofit organizations annually. Headquartered in New York, the firm has over 600 professionals and 18 offices throughout the United States and Europe. Our people are our greatest strength. At CCS, you will join a diverse team of smart, passionate, and resourceful professionals who are driven by purpose and committed to performance.

LOCATION: This position is open to candidates throughout the Central region.
REPORTS TO: Executive Vice President, Client Services
WORK TYPE: Full Time, Remote (Travel required up to two times per month for client engagements).

CCS is unable to sponsor employment visas for this position, such as H-1B visas. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship. This may apply to individuals currently authorized under temporary student or practical training visas, who will require sponsorship from CCS to maintain work authorization long-term.

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE

The Consultant, Client Partnerships will work with CCS project and client executives on a specialized Client Partnerships team as we collaboratively launch partnerships with nonprofits. You will have direct access to leaders in the field and expert training, expanding your opportunities to learn and building your network for future success.

This role will focus on ensuring clients have a quality experience with CCS during the onboarding of their engagement. As the initial weeks of our work are vital for establishing trust, we rely on the Client Partnerships team to provide a confident, professional start to every engagement through exceptional project planning and transition management, leading client onboarding, and serving as the dedicated project director for select part-time engagements.

The successful candidate will have excellent multi-tasking skills and manage a portfolio of ~4-6 client projects concurrently, joining a team of high-performing professionals that specialize in:

• Leveraging fast-paced project management abilities to launch new client projects

• Laying the foundation for success for the client and CCS team

• Creating detailed plans for project sequencing and timing

• Developing all necessary project tools

• Collaborating with clients on tailored messaging strategies

• Implementing best practices for client services and partnerships

This is a client-facing role with significant responsibilities for relationship building, setting a standard for professional excellence, and producing bespoke client/constituent engagement tools and deliverables.

Ideal candidates will possess excellent writing, communication, client and project management, and multi-tasking skills. The candidate is also comfortable partnering with multiple executives, capable of meeting set deadlines, and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced corporate environment. It is critical to have a client services mindset and a strategic focus on project management and discipline in crafting a work plan tailored for the realities of the client team and project needs

GROWTH AND ADVANCEMENT

As you build fluency in the onboarding process and deepen your relationships across the CCS team, you will have the opportunity to expand your scope within the Client Partnerships function.

High-performing team members are encouraged to take on a portfolio that includes assignments as the lead director on a project alongside onboarding projects.

For the right candidate, it is a meaningful pathway to broader project ownership, increased client exposure, and long-term career growth within CCS.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a project manager and strategic partner to nonprofit clients, CCS Team executives, and incoming directors in the initial phases of project activity

• Work collaboratively with a variety of different audiences – from senior client leaders, donors, board members, and volunteers as well as internal colleagues and working groups

• Be the central point of contact and consultative liaison between the assigned client and the CCS team in the first 4-8 weeks of the client engagement

• Lead in the design and execution of all initial planning calls, meetings, and materials

• Develop the foundational materials that will guide the engagement, including work plans and other operational tools

• Draft, refine, and finalize all study/assessment tools and materials in partnership with the CCS and client teams, including writing and designing donor- facing materials

• Conduct and support data analysis of clients’ past fundraising performance

• Track and manage workplans and deadlines simultaneously across project portfolios

• Ensure CCS executives are kept up-to-date on project progress and challenges

• Facilitate the transition of each engagement to a CCS Director and provide peer coaching

• Support the maintenance of an onboarding resource library, including onboarding-specific templates, toolkits, and director-led onboarding reference guides.

• Report weekly on your slate of work, capacity to support upcoming engagements, and feedback that could support contract structure decisions and director assignment strategy

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required

• 5+ years of experience in a professional role required. Prior experience preferred in the client services, development, and/or fundraising sector

• Exceptional professional demeanor and interpersonal skills, and ability to work collaboratively with all levels of staff at our client partners and internally at CCS, including with multiple senior-level executives

• Ability to work autonomously and manage day-to-day activities in a remote setting

• Demonstrated data-based and logical decision-making, developing strategies and recommendations based on client and industry data and strategic thinking

• Adaptability to manage multiple workflows, timelines, scope adaptations, and deadlines

• Close attention to detail with the skill to integrate edits and feedback consistently

• Strong verbal communication skills in-person, via Zoom, and by phone

• Outstanding writing skills with an eye for design and visually appealing documents

• Advanced knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Outlook

• Ability to learn new software applications and adopt new project management tools

• Familiarity with donor CRMs and database needs a plus (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, etc.)

• Experience with project management tools, such as Monday.com, is a plus

• Knowledge of prospect research programs and modalities is a plus

• Thrives in a mission-oriented environment and is motivated by the idea of working across philanthropic sectors

• Self-starter able to drive activity while handling multiple workstreams with a solutions-focused approach

CCS offers competitive benefits, a dynamic training program, resources, career advancement, mentoring, and networking opportunities. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourage a diverse pool of candidates to apply.

CCS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and during employment, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us so we can discuss your needs.