Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships & Development

There has never been a more exciting time to be the Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships and Development at NAFSA; the organization has been making deep and intentional investments in strategic partnerships. Reporting to the Executive Director and CEO, this senior director position is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the design, development, and execution of comprehensive strategic partnership development, fundraising and revenue-generating programs.

This role requires a dynamic fundraising professional who can effectively influence and promote support and engagement for international education. Working in partnership with NAFSA senior leadership, and leading an experienced team managing global partnerships, conference exhibition, and sponsorship activities, the Senior Director develops strategies to identify opportunities for greater engagement and commitment through external partnerships at the regional, national, and international level.

Strategic Leadership & Vision (20%)

• Lead the design and execution of a bold, future-facing partnership and revenue strategy aligned with NAFSA’s mission and global priorities.
• Identify and activate fresh opportunities—across sectors and borders—that redefine how we partner, fund, and grow.
• Create new partnership models that blend philanthropy, shared value, and social impact.
• Serve as a thought leader to the CEO, board, and global community on trends in cross-sector engagement and innovation.
• Design and implement an integrated strategy for partnerships, fundraising, sponsorship, and revenue development that aligns with NAFSA’s strategic priorities.
• Identify bold opportunities—especially those outside traditional international education spheres—that bring new energy, ideas, and investment to NAFSA’s work.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and manage relationships with key partners across various sectors.
• Champion a culture of collaboration and innovation across teams to consolidate and elevate NAFSA’s partnership and fundraising efforts.

Relationship Building & Innovation (20%)

• Cultivate and steward high-level partnerships with corporations, foundations, and government entities committed to global learning, equity, and social impact.
• Expand NAFSA’s global footprint by seeking mutually beneficial alliances with mission-aligned organizations, including those in emerging markets and adjacent sectors.
• Serve as a thought partner to the CEO and leadership team in advancing new partnership models and bold revenue initiatives.

Revenue Strategy & Management (20%)

• Lead a high-performing team overseeing conference exhibits, sponsorships, advancement, and grants to maximize revenue growth.
• Leads strategic revenue partners in organizational advancement, conference exhibits sales, sponsorship, and grant development activities to maximize revenue opportunities. Evaluate existing partnerships and external relationships to expand opportunities for collaboration with external individuals and organizations to support strategic objectives.
• Develop pricing strategies, benefit packages, and marketing approaches that reflect the evolving needs of our partners and stakeholders.
• Establish clear metrics and dashboards to monitor revenue performance and track impact.

Donor & Fund Development (15%)

• Collaborate with the CEO and Board to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts and transformative funding opportunities.
• Manage a targeted portfolio of high-value donors and partners, ensuring a high-touch, high-impact engagement experience.
• Develop compelling cases for support and proposals tailored to institutional and individual funders.

Market Intelligence & Opportunity Scanning (10%)

• Stay on the leading edge of trends in international education, philanthropy, and partnership models to inform strategy.
• Conduct due diligence and market research to identify prospective partners and revenue-generating innovations.

Grant Development & Institutional Giving

• Lead strategy and execution of grant proposals, reports, and submissions in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Monitor funding trends and proactively position NAFSA to pursue competitive grant opportunities aligned with strategic goals.

Perform other duties as assigned (5%)

Work Environment

The standard workday is generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. During the week after Memorial Day to Labor Day, it is 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday. NAFSA employees are eligible to apply for regular teleworking two days a week (on Mondays and Fridays).

Travel is required occasionally related to job responsibilities, especially for the annual conference or other leadership meetings. Participation in the NAFSA annual conference the week of Memorial Day, including the holiday itself, is a job requirement. The annual conference is held in varying cities.

Tasks are performed in a typical office environment, involving sitting for extended periods of time. Sitting, standing, bending, and lifting 10lbs or less will occur intermittently throughout the workday. Position involves constant use of computer keyboard and monitor, with intermittent use of headset and microphone.

Total Compensation, Benefits

The target salary for this full-time, 35-hour per week Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development position is $140,000. Total compensation for employment at NAFSA entails a competitive employee benefits package including:

• Competitively priced medical and dental insurance plans with CareFirst
• 403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for a 7% employer contribution
• Generous paid vacation, sick, personal, parental, and compassionate leave plans
• Seventeen paid days on and around federal holidays
• Fully paid group life and disability insurance coverage
• Health and dependent care flexible spending account plans
• Pre-tax parking and transportation plans
• Opportunities for professional development and $5,250 in tuition reimbursement
• Free onsite fitness center and secure bicycle parking

Qualifications (required):

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; advanced degree welcomed
• Minimum ten (10) years of direct experience in cultivating strategic partnerships that results in funding.
• Experience working with non-profit, mission-driven, or educational organizations
• Proven leadership experience developing and executing integrated revenue strategies that drive organizational growth, foster innovation and align with mission-driving objectives.
• Proven success cultivating and stewarding diverse donors, including corporate and foundation partners, and successfully converting prospects to donors
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong research, analytical, and database skills
• Direct Experience with grant writing and proposal development
• Experience working in a global setting or cross-cultural context
• Ability to think strategically and foster innovation in partnership development (including creating new partnership models), identifying creative approaches to engage and amplify mission impact
• Ability to craft compelling, persuasive fundraising communications tailored to varied audiences
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously across differing timelines.
• Proficiency with database management and customer relations databases and use of data analytics to measure success
• Consistent track record of meeting or exceeding short-term and long-term revenue goals
• Proven ability to build and maintain trust with diverse stakeholders
• Commitment to NAFSA’s mission and support for diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and well-being for all

Qualifications (preferred):

• Previous experience in international education, or other related fields association membership organizations
• Experience working with higher education institutions, government organizations and corporations
• Experience managing a collaborative team of sales, fundraising, or development professionals
• Ability to leverage opportunities
• Ability to speak a language other than English highly desirable

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