Employer & HR Partnerships Business Development/Lead Contractor Role (Contract, Freelance)

Location: Columbus, OH
Contract Term: 6–9 months, with potential for renewal
Travel Required: Frequent travel within the Columbus, OH region
Time Commitment: 15 hours/week or 60 hours/month
Compensation: Retainer + Signed agreement bonuses
Monthly base rate plus performance-based payments for each signed agreement with employer partner

About Build Commonwealth

Build Commonwealth ("Commonwealth") is a national nonprofit building financial security and opportunity for financially vulnerable people through innovation and partnerships. Our work has influenced more than 3 million people and led to policy change and product innovations across industries.

About Benefits for the Future

Funded by JPMorganChase , Benefits for the Future is a national initiative focused on expanding access to high quality workplace benefits such as workplace savings, retirement savings, student debt retirement match, and healthcare affordability . Commonwealth works with employers, HR leaders, benefit providers, and advocates to create more inclusive benefit solutions particularly for low- and moderate-income workers.

Role Overview

Commonwealth is seeking a Columbus-based contractor to lead employer and HR partnership development for the Benefits for the Future initiative. The contractor will be responsible for identifying and securing strategic partnerships with employers and HR leaders, primarily in the Columbus region. This role is ideal for someone with strong connections in the HR/employer ecosystem, a business development/pipeline development background, and a passion for advancing workplace equity and financial wellbeing. The contractor will work closely with Commonwealth’s team and have access to established decks and outreach materials, a curated list of target companies and contacts, and opportunities to engage through select events aligned with the initiative’s goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and engage key employers, HR leaders, and benefit decision-makers in Columbus

• Build and develop a pipeline of potential employer and HR partnerships aligned with the initiative’s goals

• Conduct presentations with partners and manage follow-up to move potential partners through the pipeline in collaboration with Commonwealth’s BFF project team

• Inform proposals/scope of work in collaboration with Commonwealth’s BFF project team and secure/close employer partners

• Take the lead on building a pipeline development process that includes critical steps and milestones to get from warm lead to closed/signed agreement

• Identify and attend relevant meetings, conferences, and events focused on workplace benefits and HR innovation in the Columbus area

• Provide weekly outreach updates to Commonwealth’s BFF project team

• Manage pipeline, communications, and contacts within our HubSpot CRM; prior HubSpot or CRM experience preferred.
  

Payment Structure

This is a performance-based contractor role with a two-part compensation structure:

• A monthly base rate to support ongoing relationship-building and outreach efforts.

• Additional payments for each signed legal agreement that establishes a formal partnership with:

  • A Commonwealth-priority company, or

  • A company with a large frontline workforce (e.g., 5,000+ U.S. employees or with significant regional presence).

• To qualify for performance-based payments, the partnership must be verified through a signed agreement.
  

Qualifications

• Based in the Columbus area and available for in-person meetings/events

• 10+ years of business development/partner development experience

• 5+ years experience in specific employer engagement, HR partnerships, workforce development, or a related field

• Strong professional network and credibility within the HR/employer ecosystem in the Midwest, especially Columbus

• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and collaboration skills

• Experience working in or with nonprofit organizations, social impact initiatives, or mission-driven programs a plus

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities

• Comfortable with frequent travel within the Columbus region
  

Travel & Event Expenses

• Commonwealth will cover the costs associated with attending and participating in relevant conferences, events, and meetings, including conference tickets, travel, and accommodations.

• The contractor will be responsible for coordinating and managing their travel logistics, ensuring timely attendance at all scheduled events.

• All event-related expenses must be approved in advance by Commonwealth.

Apply here.

Source: Iealist