Leadership Giving Officer

Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Cambridge, MA

86d

About The Position

The Leadership Giving Officer for Biological Engineering (BE) will create and execute a comprehensive, strategic development plan designed to raise awareness, strengthen relationships, and garner financial support for BE's initiatives and academic programs. This role involves managing, building, and executing successful fundraising strategies for a mature portfolio, including the Core Team, and creating individualized solicitation plans leading to major and principal gifts in support of MIT's fundraising priorities, capital projects, and other departmental priorities. The officer will work collaboratively to increase the visibility of BE and establish a thriving community of supporters, including both philanthropic and industry partnerships. Responsibilities include participating in face-to-face donor, industry partner, and prospect visits, arranging faculty meetings, site tours, and events, drafting high-level proposals, creating materials, and disseminating content and collateral related to BE. Additionally, the officer will help maximize the Department Head's and faculty's travel to engage with prospective donors and industry partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in an engineering or scientific field.
• Minimum of three years of direct fund-raising experience, preferably with a higher education organization.
• Exceptional organizational, project management, communication, and time management skills.
• Active learner and effective communicator with a strong interest in the BE mission.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills for relating with diverse constituencies.
• Robust writing skills for producing high-quality and compelling written materials.
• Knowledge of professional options and career strategies, particularly in engineering or related fields.
• Experience presenting content to large groups.
• Proficiency with office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to handle confidential information using discretion and judgment.
• Proficiency with prospect management systems or other CRM systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with confidentiality and discretion.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with research university culture and administration.
• Proven record of successful cultivation and solicitation of 6-figure+ gifts.
• Entrepreneurial approach to developing a prospect pool.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute a comprehensive, strategic development plan for BE.
• Manage, build, and execute successful fundraising strategies for a mature portfolio.
• Create individualized solicitation plans leading to major and principal gifts.
• Work collaboratively to increase the visibility of BE and establish a community of supporters.
• Participate in face-to-face donor and industry partner visits.
• Arrange faculty meetings, site tours, and events.
• Draft high-level proposals and create materials for fundraising.
• Disseminate content and collateral related to BE.
• Maximize the Department Head's and faculty's travel to engage with prospective donors.

Benefits

• 2-year position with a possibility of extension based on funding availability.
• Regional, out-of-state travel required (~20% of time).
• Ability to work evening and occasional weekend hours with advance notice.

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees