Overview

Pursuits mission is to create economic transformation at scale. Our comprehensive model combines rigorous training with strategic partnerships to connect & support high-quality tech talent from low-income backgrounds with leading companies. By training adults to launch & 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 & partnered with top companies like Blackstone, USV, Citi, Peloton, & Uber. Our vision of scaled impact is to reshape the skill training landscape, & particularly how governments, funders, & employers invest in workforce solutionsensuring 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 & changing workforce development for good.

The Opportunity

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

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

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership Development & Revenue Growth

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

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead the partnerships & business development team to meet our revenue targets
• Set the vision, goals, & priorities for the team, ensuring alignment with Pursuits 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, & thought leadership convenings.
• Work cross-functionally with Investment, Program, Sales & Government Relations teams to structure innovative funding models & partnership approaches.
• Collaborate with the CEO & senior leadership team to shape Pursuits next phase of growth & influence in workforce development.
• Support shift of Board into fundraising board & drive network activation

Key Competencies & Experience

• Master Relationship Builder Exceptional ability to engage, influence, & build trust with senior executives, funders, & key stakeholders. Ideally has a strong network & 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 & philanthropic investments.
• Strategic Thinker & Doer Able to design & execute high-level strategy while also rolling up sleeves to drive outcomes.
• Innovator & Systems-Changer Deep interest in reshaping workforce development, economic mobility, & the way capital is invested in social impact.
• Leader & Team Builder Experienced in leading, scaling, & coaching high-performing teams.
• Mission-Driven & Impact-Oriented Passionate about driving economic opportunity & systems-level change.
• Understanding of New York & 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 & working cross-functionally in complex organizations.
• Strong storytelling, pitch, & negotiation skills, with an ability to craft compelling partnership narratives.
• Interest in AI & its role in the future of workforce development, with a forward-thinking approach to innovation & systems transformation.(doesnt need to have worked with AI but important that they are excited by this component of Pursuit) 
• Dynamic & engaging presence, capable of representing Pursuit to startup leaders, the tech ecosystem
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to lead through ambiguity, identify opportunities, & execute with urgency

Where youll work: Hybrid: 3 days a week in our HQ in Long Island City & 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, & 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, & kindness are valued
• Competitive compensation in base, plus bonus & a full benefits package
• 401k plus match
• Unlimited PTO & an all-Pursuit week-long holiday the last week of December
• An opportunity to work at the intersection of tech & social impact, & make a direct impact on the communities of those we serve.

Pursuit values diversity: 

Our team has a wide range of backgrounds & experiences, & we value the richness that diversity brings to our organization. We welcome new perspectives & 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.