Director of Advancement

MIT Media Lab; Cambridge (MA); Ibrido; USD 130.000 - 190.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Hybrid work model

Descrizione del lavoro

MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, MA seeks a Director of Advancement to drive strategic fundraising and revenue generation for STEM and technology initiatives. You will cultivate major gifts, expand funding opportunities, and coordinate with faculty and leadership to align solicitation with the Lab’s mission-critical initiatives.

The role oversees donor engagement, pipeline development, stewardship, and collaboration with MIT Resource Development.

Competenze

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7+ years fundraising in emerging technologies and entrepreneurial environments.
• Ability to work with faculty, senior administrators, MIT leaders and high-profile business leaders.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong judgment and discretion with sensitive information.
• Dynamic communicator with diverse audiences.
• Proficient in MS Office and CRM/prospect management systems.
• Passion for collaborating with students, faculty, and researchers.

Mansioni

• Actively manages a portfolio with long-term relationships with supporters.
• Identifies diverse funding opportunities and leads development of compelling proposals.
• Increases awareness of the Lab’s mission through multiple channels.
• Manages donor database and reports fundraising progress to leadership.
• Develops annual and multi-year fundraising plans aligned with priorities.
• Connects funders with faculty and research groups.
• Drafts funding proposals from concept through submission; supports donor events.
• Travels as needed and works occasional nights/weekends.

Conoscenze

Fundraising leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Project management

Communication

Formazione

Bachelor's degree

Strumenti

CRM tools

MS Office

Descrizione del lavoro

The Director of Advancement serves as a strategic champion for the Media Lab's vision and mission, crafting compelling narratives that inspire stakeholders and catalyze transformational philanthropic outcomes. The ideal candidate will be an innovative and entrepreneurial fundraising professional with experience in STEM, technology, and higher education development, who expands revenue through diversification of fundraising channels and elevation of stewardship practices. The Director will cultivate and manage a robust prospect pipeline while partnering with faculty and Lab leadership to identify and develop new revenue opportunities that advance the Lab’s strategic mission-critical initiatives. Typical gifts this role will be responsible for are in the upper six figure to greater than $1M range.

Fundraising and Revenue Generation

• Actively manages a portfolio, including long-term relationships with current and potential supporters
• Identifies and develops a diverse collection of funding opportunities; creates a funding pipeline and leads the development of compelling proposals that articulate the value and impact of the work of the Media Lab
• Increases awareness of the Lab’s mission and vison through various channels, including social media and promotional materials
• Manages the donor database and monitors prospective donors; provides regular reports to Lab leadership on fundraising progress against goals

Fundraising Strategy

• Provides strategic leadership and direction by developing and executing comprehensive annual and multi-year fundraising plans that support the Lab’s work and align with organizational priorities
• Continuously stays abreast of the work happening in the Lab to be able to connect potential funders with specific faculty and research groups
• Serves as key liaison to MIT Resource Development to ensure strategic alignment between campaign priorities

Stewardship and Communications

• Effectively manages the involvement of the Executive Director, Faculty Director, and faculty with donor solicitation including preparation involving strategic briefings and appropriate follow up
• Expands the Lab’s donor base and strengthens stewardship practices
• Supports the design and execution of donor engagement strategies, including the planning of special events and the creation of high-impact proposal and engagement sessions for prospects
• Works with Lab faculty to draft funding proposals from concept through submission
• Acts as proxy for Executive Director when needed

Prospect Research and Pipeline Management

• Collaborates closely with Director of Communications and Director of Member Operations to present cohesive, comprehensive messaging and materials, reinforcing the messaging of the Lab
• Works collaboratively with the Assistant Dean for Development for the School of Architecture and Planning to ensure fundraising efforts are prudent and collaborative
• Analyzes giving trends and recommends targeted strategies for increasing support

Other duties as assigned

This role requires travel as well as occasional nights and weekends

Qualifications & Skills:

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree required

• Proven track record of at least 7 years of successful fundraising in emerging technologies and entrepreneurial environments with creative and innovative strategies
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, senior administrators, and MIT leaders, as well as high-profile business leaders
• Excellent organizational, project management, time-management
• Exceptional project management skills with ability to juggle competing priorities
• Strong judgment and discretion in handling sensitive information
• Dynamic communicator who engages effectively with diverse audiences
• Proven ability to craft compelling written materials and deliver impactful presentations
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM/prospect management systems
• Passion for collaborating with students, faculty, and researchers

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience or training in STEM-related fields
• Experience in a higher education or other non-profit organization

This is a hybrid position, with 3 days a week, or as needed, required onsite in Cambridge, MA