Head of Sales, Partnerships & Fundraising - National Credit Union Foundation

Job Description

Organization Overview:The National Credit Union Foundation supports the U.S. credit union movement and exists to improve financial well-being with and through credit unions.

Job Description: We are seeking a highly strategic, proactive, and results-oriented Head of Sales, Partnerships & Fundraising to own and lead the Foundation’s fundraising, sponsorship sales, and partnership development efforts—driving revenue growth through disciplined sales execution, relationship management, and market engagement. The ideal candidate will focus primarily on institutional fundraising and partnership development (B2B), working with credit unions, system partners, and aligned organizations rather than individual (B2C) donor fundraising.

This role serves as the Foundation’s dedicated revenue driver, responsible for personally generating new and renewed revenue, managing and expanding a portfolio of key donor and partner relationships, and building a strong pipeline of new business opportunities. The role balances strategic leadership with hands-on execution, ensuring that revenue goals are achieved through consistent, proactive sales activity and strong relationship stewardship.

Responsibilities:

Donor Development & Fundraising Leadership

·Lead and execute the Foundation’s donor fundraising strategy, with a primary focus on institutional giving from credit unions and credit union system partners as the largest revenue source.

·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 that drive continued investment and growth.

·Lead and manage the Foundation’s Fundraising Committee, driving alignment, activity, and enabling results.

·Identify and coordinate opportunities to engage the Executive Director, Board members, and senior leaders in donor cultivation, solicitation, and relationship development, including activating Board members to support introductions, engagement, and fundraising.

·Equip Board members with tools, materials, and guidance to effectively support fundraising and partnership development.

·Serve as a liaison between staff and Board related to fundraising strategy and execution.

·Lead disciplined use of CRM systems to track pipeline, manage relationships, and monitor fundraising and partnership activity across the team. Ensure consistent documentation of outreach, engagement, and deal progression to enable transparency, coordination, and performance tracking.

·Establish and maintain accurate revenue forecasting, including pipeline health, conversion expectations, and progress toward goals.

·Drive a disciplined sales operating cadence, including regular pipeline reviews, forecasting updates, and performance tracking.

Sponsorship Sales & Revenue Generation

·Lead sales and execution of sponsorship revenue, including the Foundation Gala (primary fundraising event), 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, strengthening engagement, retention, and long-term growth.

·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.

·Represent the Foundation in the market through speaking engagements, events, and partner interactions, serving as a visible and credible voice on financial well-being and the credit union movement.

·Support business development efforts through presence, relationships, and thought leadership.

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.