Development Director Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky
Development director roles in Kentucky span nonprofits, universities, and healthcare systems, with employers like the University of Kentucky, Norton Healthcare, and Louisville-based foundations actively hiring. Most positions are concentrated in Louisville and Lexington, where fundraising and institutional advancement teams regularly recruit internationally experienced candidates for senior leadership.
Find Development Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 46+ Development Director Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 46+ Development Director Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Development Director Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
HERE, WE CRAFT EXCELLENCE TOGETHER. At Safran, we believe in sustainable career journeys, collaboration as a cornerstone of innovation, and the freedom to explore diverse career paths. As a Business Development Director, you'll contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future of aerospace.
Candidates for positions with Safran Landing Systems must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility verification will be required at the time of hire.
This position contributes to our vision by being responsible for defining and executing Safran Landing Systems' business development strategy across North America, with a focus on US military and strategic OEM opportunities. The role builds and sustains senior customer relationships, anticipates and shapes future requirements, and leads capture and bid activities from opportunity identification through submission, in close coordination with Sales, Programs, Engineering/R&T and Safran group stakeholders. The position also drives collaboration frameworks (including funded and collaborative R&T agreements) and market/competitor intelligence to ensure Safran Landing Systems is positioned early and credibly on next generation platforms and programs.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Competitive salaries
- Paid holidays
- Recognition programs
- Comprehensive benefits
- Retirement (401K) plans with employer match
- Professional development opportunities
- Tuition assistance
- Over 300 career paths across global sites
WORK CULTURE:
At Safran, we foster a respectful and inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. We support sustainable career journeys and encourage employees to explore multiple paths for growth. Collaboration is essential to our success, and we are committed to helping every team member thrive. We engage with our communities through educational programs, outreach initiatives, and career events, inspiring future talent to join our mission.
Join Safran Landing Systems, where you can look to the skies and say “we did that.”
Job Requirements
- Proven senior business development/capture experience within aerospace and/or defence, including ownership of pursuit strategy and bid submissions.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain executive level customer relationships (OEM and/or military) and influence customer requirements early.
- Strong commercial capability: negotiation, pricing/financial acumen, and experience shaping deal terms in collaboration with Sales/Commercial/Legal.
- Bid and proposal leadership skills, including coordinating cross functional inputs (Sales, Programmes, Engineering/R&T, operations/sites) to meet quality and schedule.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management, with the ability to brief leadership and align global/divisional priorities.
- US citizen (required due to military contract and ITAR/export control requirements).
- Willingness to travel within North America and to Europe as required.
COMPANY INFORMATION
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Landing Systems is the world leader in landing gear, wheels & brakes, and associated systems for civil and military aircraft, as well as helicopters. Did you know that every second, somewhere in the world, an aircraft lands thanks to our products?
Looking to grow in a stimulating, supportive, and people-focused company? Above all, we are seeking creative and committed individuals—so come and join our 8,000 passionate employees!
LOCATION
Location: Walton, Kentucky, Kentucky, United States
CONTRACT TYPE
Contract type: Permanent
CONTRACT DURATION
Contract duration: Full-time
REQUIRED DEGREE
Required degree: Bachelor's Degree
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
Required experience: More than 8 years
PROFESSIONAL STATUS
Professional status: Professional, Engineer & Manager
SALARY RANGE
Salary range: To be confirmed
ITAR
ITAR: ITAR Controlled position
INTRODUCTION
HERE, WE CRAFT EXCELLENCE TOGETHER. At Safran, we believe in sustainable career journeys, collaboration as a cornerstone of innovation, and the freedom to explore diverse career paths. As a Business Development Director, you'll contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future of aerospace.
Candidates for positions with Safran Landing Systems must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility verification will be required at the time of hire.
This position contributes to our vision by being responsible for defining and executing Safran Landing Systems' business development strategy across North America, with a focus on US military and strategic OEM opportunities. The role builds and sustains senior customer relationships, anticipates and shapes future requirements, and leads capture and bid activities from opportunity identification through submission, in close coordination with Sales, Programs, Engineering/R&T and Safran group stakeholders. The position also drives collaboration frameworks (including funded and collaborative R&T agreements) and market/competitor intelligence to ensure Safran Landing Systems is positioned early and credibly on next generation platforms and programs.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Competitive salaries
- Paid holidays
- Recognition programs
- Comprehensive benefits
- Retirement (401K) plans with employer match
- Professional development opportunities
- Tuition assistance
- Over 300 career paths across global sites
WORK CULTURE:
At Safran, we foster a respectful and inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. We support sustainable career journeys and encourage employees to explore multiple paths for growth. Collaboration is essential to our success, and we are committed to helping every team member thrive. We engage with our communities through educational programs, outreach initiatives, and career events, inspiring future talent to join our mission.
Join Safran Landing Systems, where you can look to the skies and say “we did that.”
Job Requirements
- Proven senior business development/capture experience within aerospace and/or defence, including ownership of pursuit strategy and bid submissions.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain executive level customer relationships (OEM and/or military) and influence customer requirements early.
- Strong commercial capability: negotiation, pricing/financial acumen, and experience shaping deal terms in collaboration with Sales/Commercial/Legal.
- Bid and proposal leadership skills, including coordinating cross functional inputs (Sales, Programmes, Engineering/R&T, operations/sites) to meet quality and schedule.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management, with the ability to brief leadership and align global/divisional priorities.
- US citizen (required due to military contract and ITAR/export control requirements).
- Willingness to travel within North America and to Europe as required.
COMPANY INFORMATION
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Landing Systems is the world leader in landing gear, wheels & brakes, and associated systems for civil and military aircraft, as well as helicopters. Did you know that every second, somewhere in the world, an aircraft lands thanks to our products?
Looking to grow in a stimulating, supportive, and people-focused company? Above all, we are seeking creative and committed individuals—so come and join our 8,000 passionate employees!
LOCATION
Location: Walton, Kentucky, Kentucky, United States
CONTRACT TYPE
Contract type: Permanent
CONTRACT DURATION
Contract duration: Full-time
REQUIRED DEGREE
Required degree: Bachelor's Degree
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
Required experience: More than 8 years
PROFESSIONAL STATUS
Professional status: Professional, Engineer & Manager
SALARY RANGE
Salary range: To be confirmed
ITAR
ITAR: ITAR Controlled position
Development Director Job Roles in Kentucky
See all 46+ Development Director Jobs in Kentucky
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Development Director Jobs in KentuckyDevelopment Director Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and organizations sponsor visas for development directors in Kentucky?
Kentucky's largest visa-sponsoring employers for development directors tend to be universities, hospital systems, and established nonprofits. The University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Norton Healthcare, and regional foundations in Louisville and Lexington have histories of sponsoring H-1B visa and other employment-based visas for senior advancement and fundraising professionals. Larger institutions with dedicated HR and legal teams are generally better positioned to manage the sponsorship process.
Which visa types are most common for development director roles in Kentucky?
The H-1B is the most common visa category for development director positions in Kentucky, as the role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field such as nonprofit management, communications, business, or public administration. O-1 visas are an option for candidates with an extraordinary record of fundraising achievement. Candidates already holding TN visa, L-1 visa, or E-3 visa status may also be eligible if transferring from a qualifying employer.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most development director sponsorship opportunities?
Louisville and Lexington account for the majority of development director openings in Kentucky. Louisville's concentration of healthcare systems, arts organizations, and regional nonprofits makes it the primary market, while Lexington's presence of the University of Kentucky and associated research institutions generates consistent demand. Smaller cities like Bowling Green and Covington occasionally post senior development roles but with considerably less frequency.
How to find development director visa sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship and filters development director roles in Kentucky by sponsorship history, making it easier to identify employers who have previously filed for employment-based visas. Rather than sorting through thousands of general postings, you can focus on organizations in Louisville and Lexington that have a demonstrated track record of sponsoring senior nonprofit and institutional advancement professionals.
Are there state-specific or role-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for development directors in Kentucky?
Development director positions in Kentucky are generally classified as specialty occupations under H-1B rules, but employers must demonstrate the role requires a specific degree field, not just any bachelor's degree. Kentucky's nonprofit sector leans heavily on relationship-based fundraising experience, so employers may scrutinize whether an international candidate's background aligns with local donor communities. The University of Kentucky and University of Louisville also function as H-1B cap-exempt institutions, which can simplify the sponsorship timeline for roles based there.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored development director jobs in Kentucky?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.