Senior Leadership Giving Officer

MIT•Cambridge, MA

About The Position

The Senior Leadership Giving Officer (SLGO) reports jointly to the Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and the School of Engineering Assistant Dean for Development. The position creates and executes a comprehensive strategic development plan to raise financial support for Chemical Engineering, including the David H. Koch School of Chemical Engineering Practice. The officer manages a portfolio of 50–75 donors and prospects and cultivates and solicits major gifts of $1 million or more for departmental priorities, including fellowships, professorships, capital projects, and research funds. The role identifies and engages prospective donors in collaboration with the Chemical Engineering Department Head, Practice School Director, and faculty. It also conducts face-to-face donor and prospect visits; arranges meetings, site tours, and events; drafts high-level proposals and strategy briefings; builds partnerships with organizations for research collaborations and funding opportunities; and oversees stewardship of department funds and donor records using the Advance database. The officer develops stewardship strategies for current donors, analyzes giving trends and recommends targeted strategies, represents Chemical Engineering at donor-related events, and collaborates on fundraising activities. Approximately 20% travel is required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
A minimum of five years of direct fundraising experience, preferably in technical, engineering, or scientific fields.
Proven track record securing seven-figure or higher gifts.
Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
Proficiency with office software and CRM/prospect management systems.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Nice To Haves

MBA or MS in a technical, engineering, or scientific field.
Experience at a research university.
Strong writing and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

Create and execute a comprehensive strategic development plan to raise financial support for Chemical Engineering, including the David H. Koch School of Chemical Engineering Practice.
Manage a portfolio of 50–75 donors and prospects, cultivating and soliciting major gifts of $1 million or more for departmental priorities.
Identify and engage new prospective donors in collaboration with the Chemical Engineering Department Head, Practice School Director, and faculty.
Conduct face-to-face donor and prospect visits.
Arrange meetings with faculty, site tours, and events.
Draft high-level proposals and develop strategy briefings.
Build and maintain partnerships with organizations for research collaborations and funding opportunities.
Oversee stewardship of department funds and donor records using the Advance database.
Develop and execute comprehensive stewardship strategies for current donors.
Analyze giving trends and recommend targeted strategies.
Represent Chemical Engineering at donor-related events and collaborate on fundraising activities.