SVP, Development and Strategic Partnerships

Overview

Pursuit’s mission is to create economic transformation at scale. Our comprehensive model combines rigorous training with strategic partnerships to connect and support high-quality tech talent from low-income backgrounds with leading companies. By training adults to launch and advance careers as software engineers, we help our Fellows increase their earnings from $18,000 to over $90,000 in starting salary on average, adding an estimated $2M in lifetime earnings. Since 2013, we have generated ~$1B in lifetime wage gains and partnered with top companies like Blackstone, USV, Citi, Peloton, and Uber. Our vision of scaled impact is to reshape the skill training landscape, and particularly how governments, funders, and employers invest in workforce solutions—ensuring capital is allocated in ways that drive lasting economic mobility. Through our innovative financial model, the Pursuit Bond, we are building the capital market to finance a sustainable model that other organizations can adopt, removing structural barriers and changing workforce development for good.

The Opportunity

The SVP of Development and Strategic Partnerships will be responsible for expanding and deepening Pursuit’s revenue-generating partnerships with corporate leaders, philanthropists, and mission-driven organizations. This leader will drive Pursuit’s growth by securing transformational partnerships, scaling funding opportunities, and ensuring that our work catalyzes systems-level change in workforce development, capital markets, and economic mobility.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the SVP will lead a team to unlock new opportunities and expand current partnerships that fund both Pursuit’s direct programming and broader policy and research initiatives. The SVP will identify and secure new partnerships that align with Pursuit’s mission, shaping opportunities in areas such as impact investing, capital mobilization, closing the wealth gap, financial inclusion, AI and workforce development, advancing research and policy, and capacity building.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership Development & Revenue Growth

• Develop and execute a high-impact partnerships strategy that aligns with Pursuit’s mission, vision, and growth goals.
• Own and drive revenue targets, securing multi-million-dollar commitments across corporate, philanthropic, and policy-driven partners.
• Source, cultivate, and close net-new partnerships at the C-suite and senior executive level.
• Deepen engagement with existing partners, ensuring renewals, expanded investments, and long-term collaboration.
• Develop compelling pitches for long term partnerships, aligning Pursuit’s work with funder priorities.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead the partnerships and business development team to meet our revenue targets
• Set the vision, goals, and priorities for the team, ensuring alignment with Pursuit’s long-term impact strategy
• Shift the team toward an account management model ensuring we have clear strategies across our priority partners

Strategic & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as a key external ambassador for Pursuit, representing the organization at industry events, partner meetings, and thought leadership convenings.
• Work cross-functionally with Investment, Program, Sales and Government Relations teams to structure innovative funding models and partnership approaches.
• Collaborate with the CEO and senior leadership team to shape Pursuit’s next phase of growth and influence in workforce development.
• Support shift of Board into fundraising board and drive network activation

Key Competencies & Experience

• Master Relationship Builder – Exceptional ability to engage, influence, and build trust with senior executives, funders, and key stakeholders. Ideally has a strong network and access to HNW individuals or leaders with $$ access. 
• Revenue Driver – Proven experience leading multi-million-dollar fundraising or revenue-generating efforts, securing large-scale corporate and philanthropic investments.
• Strategic Thinker & Doer – Able to design and execute high-level strategy while also rolling up sleeves to drive outcomes.
• Innovator & Systems-Changer – Deep interest in reshaping workforce development, economic mobility, and the way capital is invested in social impact.
• Leader & Team Builder – Experienced in leading, scaling, and coaching high-performing teams.
• Mission-Driven & Impact-Oriented – Passionate about driving economic opportunity and systems-level change.
• Understanding of New York and National fundraising landscape - whos who, network landscape builder, etc. 

Preferred Background

• 15+ years of experience in corporate partnerships, fundraising, philanthropy, business development, or strategic initiatives with a track record of driving multi-million-dollar deals. (e.g. who has raised 5M$ plus from HNW individuals/foundations)
• Experience leading high-growth teams and working cross-functionally in complex organizations.
• Strong storytelling, pitch, and negotiation skills, with an ability to craft compelling partnership narratives.
• Interest in AI and its role in the future of workforce development, with a forward-thinking approach to innovation and systems transformation.(doesnt need to have worked with AI but important that they are excited by this component of Pursuit) 
• Dynamic and engaging presence, capable of representing Pursuit to startup leaders, the tech ecosystem
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to lead through ambiguity, identify opportunities, and execute with urgency

Where you’ll work: Hybrid: 3 days a week in our HQ in Long Island City and 2 days wherever you work best. 

Compensation: $250,000 - $300,000 with 20% bonus contingent on achieving revenue goals

The range above is for the expectations as laid out in the job description, however we are often open to a wide variety of profiles, and recognize that the person we hire may be less experienced (or more senior) than this job description as posted.  If that ends up being the case, the updated salary range will be communicated with you as a candidate.

Pursuit offers: 

• Great culture where transparency, respect, teamwork, and kindness are valued
• Competitive compensation in base, plus bonus and a full benefits package
• 401k plus match
• Unlimited PTO and an all-Pursuit week-long holiday the last week of December
• An opportunity to work at the intersection of tech and social impact, and make a direct impact on the communities of those we serve.

Pursuit values diversity: 

Our team has a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and we value the richness that diversity brings to our organization. We welcome new perspectives and affirm that all employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, familial or marital status, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuit is an equal opportunity employer.