Logo
NAFSA: Association of International Educators

Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships & Development

NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022

Save Job

Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships & Development

Join to apply for the

Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships & Development

role at

NAFSA: Association of International Educators Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships & Development

Join to apply for the

Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships & Development

role at

NAFSA: Association of International Educators Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Previous jobFall Intern (PAID), Leadership &... More Results Previous jobFall Intern (PAID), Leadership &... Director, Stanford Program In SantiagoNext job

Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships & Development

Employer NAFSA: Association of International Educators Location Washington D.C. Salary minimum/target is $140,000. Closing date Aug 23, 2025

View more categoriesView less categories

Specialty Partnerships & Outreach Position Type Director Hours Full-time Employment Type Permanent Organization Type Non-profit

Apply on website

You need to sign in or create an account to save a job.

Send job

Job Details Company

Job Details

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

Requirements

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

Company

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is an organization of people dedicated to building a global community and fostering a more peaceful world through advancing international higher education. With more than 10,000 members, NAFSA is the world’s largest professional development and advocacy organization committed to international learning and creating a more globally engaged, welcoming, and educated United States. We are an organization of individuals who believe that: international education advances learning and scholarship; strengthens America’s diplomatic ties with countries across the globe and is an integral part of national security; and is essential for developing globally competent individuals. We believe that international education lies at the core of an interconnected world characterized by peace, security, and well-being for all. NAFSA is a workplace that not only appreciates diversity but believes it is our strength, and we strive to create an inclusive culture for all our team members. NAFSA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Share this job

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Apply on website

Send job

Apply on website

You need to sign in or create an account to save a job.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert

Similar jobs

Adjunct Instructor -Online courses in Global Education, Sustainable Development, International Relat West Brattleboro, VT, Working from home Seniority level

Seniority level Director Employment type

Employment type Full-time Job function

Job function Sales and Business Development Industries Higher Education Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at NAFSA: Association of International Educators by 2x Get notified about new Director of Strategic Partnerships jobs in

Washington, DC . Vice President, Strategic Partnerships - Fully Remote

Washington, DC $180,000.00-$220,000.00 1 month ago Washington DC-Baltimore Area $150,000.00-$180,000.00 2 weeks ago Director of Business Development (East Coast)

Arlington, VA $263,000.00-$325,000.00 3 days ago Director of Business Development, Human Performance

Director, Business Development, R&D Programs

Director, Global Strategic Partnerships – HPA Engagement

Gaithersburg, MD $172,468.00-$258,702.00 1 week ago Director of BD for Foreign Assistance Programs

Columbia, MD $120,000.00-$150,000.00 3 weeks ago Bethesda, MD $100,000.00-$180,000.00 5 days ago Washington, DC $140,000.00-$160,000.00 1 month ago Director, Business Development- Munitions

District of Columbia, United States 1 week ago Director, Business Development USAF (ACC-OEM Focus)

Senior Director, Partner Business Development

Washington, DC $170,000.00-$225,000.00 2 weeks ago Director, Political Business Development & Data Partnerships

Washington, DC $140,000.00-$160,000.00 2 weeks ago Director II, Business Development - US Exports

Falls Church, VA $169,630.00-$288,370.00 6 days ago Washington, DC $95,000.00-$105,000.00 2 weeks ago Director of Business Development - Government - US

Director of Business Development, Aerospace & Defense

Senior Director, Sales Operations & Strategy

College Park, MD $164,921.00-$215,063.00 3 months ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.

#J-18808-Ljbffr