National Director Development

Overview

Orientation:
Market-facing, outcomes-oriented fundraising role (versus management)

Location:

Atlanta-area preferred for team collaboration, however, given the relationship-driven nature of this role, we are open to exceptional candidates with national networks regardless of location.

Structure:
Full-time

Compensation:
Variable based on experience

SkillPointe Foundation is a fast-growing $5M+ nonprofit providing at-scale scholarships for skilled trades training through strategic partnerships with leaders like 3M, DEWALT, Ford Philanthropy, GE Vernova Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, Norfolk Southern, Schneider Electric, and others. We’ve funded more than 2,500 skills scholarships nationwide since our inception in 2021 and are only increasing our pace. Finding a great fundraiser is key to reaching our initial goal of 25,000 scholarships funded.

The Director of Development serves as a relationship-centric fundraiser and driver for SkillPointe Foundation’s national growth, securing transformational funding and partnerships that accelerate skills-based scholarship programs nationwide. This individual brings deep, trusted relationships with corporations, foundations, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and uses those networks to unlock major gifts, anchor partnerships, and multiyear funding commitments. This role is externally facing, highly strategic, and outcomes-oriented, focused on advancing the Foundation’s mission and securing partnerships and gifts rather than managing day-to-day development operations.

• Major & Transformational Giving
• Leverage national relationships to secure six- and seven-figure scholarship gifts, sponsor ships, and programmatic funding
• Engage UHNW individuals, family offices, foundations, and corporate philanthropies aligned with key industries, workforce development, and skilled trades

• Strategic Partnerships
• Originate and shape flagship partnerships with Fortune 500/1000 companies, national foundations, and industry leaders
• Help structure scalable, repeatable scholarship partnerships (named funds, industry funds, multi-year commitments)
• Represent SkillPointe Foundation credibly with senior executives, foundation leadership, and philanthropic influencers
• Open doors and create momentum that elevates the Foundation’s national profile

• Advisory & Strategic Input
• Advise the CEO and Board on national fundraising strategy, donor segmentation, and partnership positioning
• Provide insight into how large institutions approach major giving, stewardship, and relationship management

• Senior development leadership or high-level major giving experience at a national or large NGO
• Demonstrated success securing large, complex gifts and partnerships
• Trusted access to decision-makers in corporate philanthropy, foundations, and UHNW circles
• Strong strategic instincts; understands both mission and money
• Appreciation for workforce development, skilled trades, and/or scholarship funding

• Proactivity and drive coupled with access to the right relationships and the ability to convert them into partnerships to support skills scholarships.