Head of Sales, Partnerships & Fundraising

About the role

The National Credit Union Foundation is seeking a Head of Sales, Partnerships & Fundraising to lead and execute the Foundation’s fundraising, sponsorship sales, and partnership development efforts. This role serves as the Foundation’s dedicated revenue driver, responsible for personal revenue generation, relationship management, and market engagement.

Responsibilities

• Donor Development & Fundraising Leadership
• Lead and execute the Foundation’s donor fundraising strategy, focusing on institutional giving from credit unions and system partners.
• Own and grow a portfolio of key donor relationships, with accountability for retention, expansion, and long-term engagement.
• Actively solicit and secure philanthropic contributions through direct outreach, relationship management, and tailored engagement strategies.
• Identify, cultivate, and close new donor opportunities across the credit union system and adjacent partners.
• Partner with executive leadership to align donor acquisition, retention, and recognition strategy with organizational priorities and impact goals.
• Partner with Brand & Experience and program leaders to translate program outcomes and impact into compelling donor-facing value propositions.
• Lead and manage the Foundation’s Fundraising Committee, driving alignment, activity, and enabling results.
• Equip Board members with tools, materials, and guidance to effectively support fundraising and partnership development.
• Represent the Foundation in the market through speaking engagements, events, and partner interactions.
• Support business development efforts through presence, relationships, and thought leadership.
• Sponsorship Sales & Revenue Generation
• Lead sales and execution of sponsorship revenue, including the Foundation Gala, Financial Well-Being Exchange executive event, DE Program, and other Foundation programs and initiatives.
• Personally develop, pitch, and close sponsorship opportunities aligned to Foundation priorities and partner objectives.
• Partner with the Chief Growth Officer to design and evolve sponsorship offerings, pricing models, and value propositions.
• Ensure strong sponsor experience and fulfillment in collaboration with Brand & Experience and program teams.
• Grow sponsorship pipeline and expand sponsor portfolio over time.
• Relationship Management & Account Growth
• Serve as the primary relationship owner for key donors, sponsors, and partners, ensuring strong engagement, trust, and long-term value.
• Connect donor and partner investments to the Foundation’s impact by clearly articulating outcomes, value, and system-level benefits.
• Develop and execute account strategies to increase investment, deepen engagement, and align partners with Foundation initiatives.
• Coordinate cross-functional delivery to ensure commitments are met and experiences are high quality.
• Identify opportunities to expand relationships across programs, sponsorships, and philanthropic giving.
• Partnership Development & New Business
• Identify and pursue new partnerships and revenue opportunities beyond traditional donor and sponsorship channels.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospects across credit unions, system partners, and aligned organizations.
• Develop and deliver compelling proposals and partnership concepts that align with Foundation strategy.
• Identify opportunities to expand the Foundation’s reach and relevance through strategic partnerships.
• Team Leadership & Resource Alignment
• Lead and develop a high-performing Partnerships & Growth team, including direct management of a Director and Senior Coordinator responsible for fundraising, sponsorships, and relationship management.
• Set clear revenue goals, performance expectations, and activity targets to drive accountability and results across the team.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and performance management to support strong execution in sales, relationship development, and donor engagement.
• Establish clear roles, workflows, and operating cadence across fundraising and partnership efforts to ensure alignment with enterprise goals.
• Ensure effective coordination with Brand & Experience, Digital Marketing, and other teams to support integrated growth efforts.
• Serve as a member of the Foundation’s Leadership Team, contributing to enterprise strategy, cross-functional alignment, and organizational culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
• 10 + years of progressive experience in fundraising, business development, partnerships, sales, or related fields.
• Experience with institutional fundraising, B2B sales or other B2B revenue generation models such as sponsorship sales, with experience selling specifically to credit unions and system partners strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully generating revenue through donor development, sponsorship sales, or partnership-driven growth.
• Experience managing and growing a portfolio of key relationships, including donors, sponsors, or strategic partners.
• Proven success in prospecting, cultivating, and closing new business opportunities.
• Experience leading or contributing to fundraising strategy and execution within a nonprofit, association, or mission-driven organization preferred.
• Experience working with or supporting Boards in fundraising efforts, including engagement, activation, and partnership development.
• Experience operating within a growth or revenue-focused team, collaborating across marketing, brand, and program functions.
• Experience using CRM systems to manage pipeline, track activity, and support forecasting and reporting.
• Leadership experience managing and developing team members, with accountability for performance and results.
• Experience in the credit union system or broader financial services ecosystem strongly preferred.
• Ability to Travel 45-60 days per year.