Senior Partnership Manager- Utilities

Make a Difference for Climate and Equity — Join Slipstream as a Senior Partnership Manager!

Apply your relationship-building, utility industry, and business development expertise to help advance an equitable, clean energy future. As a Senior Partnership Manager, you'll be part of our Advancement team, where we build the strategic relationships, partnerships, and funding opportunities that enable Slipstream to scale its impact.

Slipstream is a national, mission-driven organization that accelerates climate solutions for everyone. We inspire new approaches to complex energy challenges and are optimistic, inclusive, and ambitious about our impact.

We are seeking a Senior Partnership Manager who will grow utility partnerships and utility-funded revenue while advancing Slipstream's mission across Illinois and Midwest markets. In this role, you will identify and advance funding opportunities, cultivate relationships with utilities and other key stakeholders, represent Slipstream in industry and stakeholder forums, and help position the organization for long-term growth and impact.

Working collaboratively across the organization, you will translate market trends, policy developments, partner priorities, and emerging opportunities into actionable programs, services, and funding pursuits. You will connect internal subject matter experts with external partners, support development of innovative energy solutions, and help guide competitive proposals and initiatives that advance energy efficiency, decarbonization, workforce development, research, and market transformation.

The ideal candidate brings utility-sector knowledge, strong relationship management and business development skills, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.

We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds. We value collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous improvement. While we're mostly remote, this position requires residence in the Chicago area to support regular engagement with partners and stakeholders throughout Illinois.

What You'll Do

Partnership Development

• Serve as Slipstream's primary relationship manager, external representative, and key point of contact for utility and stakeholder partnerships, ensuring a high-quality partner experience.
• Proactively grow and manage a portfolio of strategic partnerships and business development opportunities within Illinois and selected Midwest markets.
• Identify, cultivate, and advance funding opportunities aligned with Slipstream expertise in energy efficiency, decarbonization, market transformation, workforce development, research, and energy financing.
• Develop and maintain a robust opportunity pipeline, guiding opportunities from identification through proposal development, award, and support of contract execution.
• Support client and partner relationships to encourage renewals, expansions, and repeat funding opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for new or expanded utility programs, pilots, and services.

Program & Service Development

• Facilitate internal ideation and solution development efforts, translating partner priorities, regulatory requirements, policy developments, funding opportunities, and market trends into actionable project and program concepts.
• Support development of scopes, budgets, and project plans for proposed utility initiatives.
• Connect internal subject matter experts with external partners to advance strategic opportunities.
• Assist in developing new or expanded service offerings, including emerging technology pilots, decarbonization programs, and other innovative energy solutions

Proposal & Grant Development

• Support proposal development and RFP responses for utility-funded programs and research.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams to develop competitive submissions aligned with Slipstream’s strategy.
• Contribute partner insights, market intelligence, and stakeholder perspectives to strengthen proposal narratives and strategic positioning.
• Guide internal teams through evaluating opportunities and funding pursuits.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Program Acceleration, Research & Innovation, Workforce Development, Policy, and Advancement teams to ensure cohesive delivery of utility-focused work, align project outcomes with partner expectations, share market and stakeholder insights, and advance strategic growth opportunities.

Market Intelligence & Industry Engagement

• Monitor energy market, policy, and funding developments across Illinois and the Midwest to identify emerging trends, opportunities, and risks.
• Cultivate and leverage relationships with key decision-makers, funders, policymakers, state agencies, community-based organizations, philanthropic partners, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen organizational visibility, advance strategic opportunities, influence industry discussion, and secure resources and partnerships that support mission-driven growth and impact.
• Represent Slipstream through stakeholder engagement, CEJA-related forums, advisory groups, industry convenings, presentations, conferences, and thought leadership activities.
• Share market intelligence, stakeholder feedback, funding trends, and policy developments to help guide organizational decision making.

Other Duties

• Actively participate in internal workgroups and Slipstream initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.