National Director of Partnerships

MDI empowers the career success of people with disabilities. As a nonprofit, social enterprise manufacturer, we create corrugated packaging solutions and provide production services that support businesses across the country. In addition Unified Work, powered by MDI, advances workforce inclusion and empowerment for people with disabilities through cutting-edge training and education programs. We aim to eliminate barriers to employment and champion more inclusive workplaces. Your work will fuel our vision to provide 1 million job related learning experiences, and shape the future of employability training across the nation. A comprehensive strategy showed that Unified Work's national expansion is best enabled through partnerships with national and regional organizations. Current targets include Special Olympics NA and Junior Achievement (JA). Ideally Unified Work would be a statewide government supported programming.

MDI is on a dynamic growth trajectory as a social enterprise, expanding its mission through strategic partnerships and new initiatives that support justice-involved individuals, neurodivergent talent, and underserved youth. We remain committed to fostering inclusion and empowerment across all the communities we serve, as we evolve into a national leader in workforce development. The Director of Partnerships will work with the leaders of these overlapping initiatives to create and resource combined and individualized development strategies.

The ideal National Director of Partnerships will provide visionary, executive-level leadership to drive both MDI's partnership and development strategy on a national scale. This is not just a fundraising role - it is an opportunity to lead transformative system change by building powerful coalitions and aligning diverse missions under a unified vision of inclusive employment. In this role, you will cultivate and steward high-impact relationships with non-profits, corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individual philanthropists, enhancing MDI's visibility, revenue streams, and mission impact. You will oversee integrated funding strategies, major campaigns, and stakeholder engagements across the country, ensuring that MDI's ambitious growth is both impactful and financially sustainable. This position is ideal for an innovative, mission-driven leader who can lead through influence, uniting cross-sector partners and communities to advance a national movement for inclusion and empowerment.

Essential Functions:

• Strategic Vision & Leadership: Provide visionary direction for MDI's partnership and development efforts, aligning them with the organization's mission and long-term growth goals. Develop and implement national strategies that integrate multiple program areas and upcoming initiatives, ensuring a cohesive approach across our expanding focus areas.
• Cross-Sector Partnerships & Coalition Building: Forge and lead national coalitions that span the corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors to advance inclusive workforce development across diverse communities (including people with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, neurodiverse talent, and youth). Identify and pursue high-impact sponsorships, in-kind support, and co-branded initiatives that elevate MDI's profile and collective impact. Close multi-year agreements and major funding partnerships that support both annual targets and long-term sustainability.
• Fundraising & Resource Development: Design and execute integrated funding strategies to fuel MDI's mission, leveraging a mix of philanthropic gifts, grants, corporate contributions. Lead the execution of ambitious annual and multi-year fundraising plans that drive significant growth in support of programs like Unified Work and new national initiatives. Engage and inspire current and prospective donors through compelling storytelling and relationships, expanding financial support and stewardship. Oversee donor engagement activities, signature events (e.g. benefit events like the Ability Bash), and nationwide fundraising campaigns, ensuring they are well-coordinated and impactful. Partner with the marketing team to craft effective public relations, branding, and donor communication strategies that convey MDI's vision and results. Ensure robust infrastructure for fundraising by supervising donor data systems and reporting, with accurate tracking, acknowledgment, and analysis of contributions.
• Board & Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with the Board of Directors and its Resource Development Committee to set and execute strategic fundraising and partnership priorities. Prepare and present updates, insights, and recommendations to board members to inform strategic decision-making. Recruit, engage, and support board members and volunteer leaders in fundraising and advocacy efforts, harnessing their networks and influence
• Community Representation & Influence: Act as a national ambassador for MDI and Unified Work. Lead through influence by building trust and motivating stakeholders at all levels (from community participants and frontline staff to business executives and public officials) toward collective action. Maintain regular, personalized communication with major donors, corporate partners, and community allies, ensuring they feel valued and connected to the impact they help create.
• Team Leadership: Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing partnerships and development team (staff and consultants), fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, inclusion, and accountability. Set clear goals and provide professional development opportunities for team members. Lead by example to inspire creativity and dedication, and empower the team to achieve ambitious outcomes.
• KEY 2025/2026 Project - Lead MDI's 2026 Special Olympics Partnership / Sponsorship: This role will be the head of MDI's efforts as it concerns the 2026 Special Olympics Games. This includes leading a cross functional team to plan, develop, build, and execute the event in multiple locations. Will leverage contractors, vendors, and volunteers to execute a world class event. This will consume upwards of 50%
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are crucial, as this role involves interacting with a diverse set of employees, donors, board members, foundations, and other stakeholders. The director must have the ability to craft compelling narratives that convey MDIs mission and impact effectively to build and maintain relationships.
• Ensure adherence to all current organizational and national fundraising policies
• Maintain highest levels of ethics and confidentiality
• Maintain a safe work environment for oneself and others, including wearing mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Extensive leadership experience: 10+ years of senior-level experience in nonprofit development, cross-sector partnership management, or related executive roles. Proven ability to lead complex initiatives or system-wide programs with multiple stakeholders.
• Track record of impact: Demonstrated success in securing significant philanthropic investments (major gifts, grants, sponsorships) and in forging multi-stakeholder partnerships or coalitions at a regional or national level.
• Strategic and financial acumen: Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to balance visionary goals with pragmatic execution. Experience developing integrated funding strategies. Business acumen to ensure financial goals are met without compromising mission impact.
• Exceptional communication and influence: Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to inspire, persuade, and mobilize diverse audiences. Adept at leading through influence in a matrixed or collaborative environment - building trust and consensus among colleagues, partners, and communities without direct authority.
• Mission alignment and innovation: Passion for inclusion, diversity, and empowerment. Creative, entrepreneurial mindset with a drive to innovate in pursuit of mission. Comfortable navigating fast-paced, dynamic environments and adapting to change while keeping teams focused on the big picture.
• Collaboration and integrity: Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, building strong relationships internally and externally. High degree of professionalism, ethical standards, and commitment to confidentiality.
• Additional Requirements:
  
  
  
  • Ability to effectively read and interpret industry-specific documentation
  • Experience working with people with diverse disabilities
  • Advanced knowledge of development processes
  • Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check
  • Satisfactory completion of DHS Net Study
  • Verified eligibility for employment in the United States
  
  
  
  

Environment and Physical Demands:

• Hybrid work environment: Blend of onsite and remote work. Regular presence at MDI's Twin Cities (Roseville, MN) offices is expected (approximately 3 days per week) to collaborate with the team, with flexibility for remote work on other days.
• Inclusive culture: MDI fosters an inclusive, team-oriented culture. The National Director will interface with a diverse range of colleagues - from manufacturing floor staff to program trainers and executives - and must be comfortable working in both office and community settings.
• Works in a typical office setting which includes;
  
  
  
  • Sit, use computer monitor, mouse, and keyboard, standard telephone, hearing and talking
  • Occasionally lift, reach, rotate hands, stoop, kneel, or crouch
  • Occasionally works in a typical factory environment (high noise levels, machinery, conveyors, dust, chemicals, odors, and temperature fluctuation.)
  • Basic vision is required
  
  
  
  

Other:

• Travel (30%): Frequent in-state travel within Minnesota to engage donors and partners across our locations. Occasional national travel to meet with partners, attend conferences, and support expansion efforts. Must be willing to attend key events or meetings on evenings or weekends as needed.
• Must have the ability to obtain a passport for international business travel (within 90 days of employment)

Salary:

• The annual base salary range for this role is $150,000 - $160,000.
• Annual bonus eligible up to 15%

The list of essential job functions and qualifications contained in this job description is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Tasks are to be completed with or without reasonable accommodations.