Executive Director, Annual Giving

Association of Fundraising Professionals; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

MIT Alumni Association seeks an Executive Director of Annual Giving to lead a data‑driven program, cultivating over 30,000 annual donors and 250,000 prospects. The role reports to the Alumni Association CEO and partners with Resource Development and leadership to ensure ongoing philanthropy across MIT.

Hybrid work, with occasional domestic and international travel, requires a decade of leadership in fundraising and a track record of driving donor acquisition, retention, and revenue growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years in fundraising, advancement, or business development; preferably in higher education or research.
• 5+ years directing large, diverse teams with complex budgets and goal setting.
• Proven success cultivating high-net-worth benefactors and data-driven campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Architect and execute a high-impact, data-driven annual giving program.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward 30k annual donors and 250k prospects.
• Collaborate with RD, leadership, and Annual Giving Board to ensure campaign readiness.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed to advance donor engagement.

Skills

Data-driven fundraising

CRM proficiency

Predictive analytics

Digital philanthropy platforms

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRMs

Predictive analytics tools

Job description

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ANNUAL GIVING, Alumni Association CEO

reporting to the CEO of the MIT Alumni Association and serving as a critical member of the senior management team, the Executive Director of Annual Giving is a visionary advancement leader responsible for architecting and executing a high-impact, data-driven annual giving program. This leader is charged with securing foundational and leadership‑level support from alumni, students, parents, and friends of the Institute. By driving an innovative, multi‑channel strategy, they will cultivate, solicit, and steward more than 30,000 annual donors and 250,000 prospects. Serving as the primary bridge between foundational participation and major gift pipelines, the Executive Director works in seamless partnership with Resource Development (RD), School and Institution leadership, and the Annual Giving Board to build a sustainable culture of philanthropy that ensures campaign readiness and supports MIT’s broader institutional priorities.

The full job description is available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9cwvamqin9ridwm78gdn4/Executive-Director-of-Annual-Giving-MIT-Alumni-Association.pdf?rlkey=mthwctblhmvnpsfk2ozj9z17j&st=zha06tjx&dl=0

REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of ten years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising, advancement, or business development, preferably within a complex higher education or academic research setting; 5+ years of experience directing large, diverse teams, managing complex budgets, setting goals, and driving performance and resource optimization; proven success in cultivating high-net-worth benefactors and executing data-driven campaigns that drive donor acquisition, retention, and revenue growth; adept at fostering partnerships across highly matrixed organizations, influencing cross-functional stakeholders, and empowering high-level volunteer boards and alumni leaders; expertise in modern advancement tools (CRMs, predictive analytics, digital philanthropy platforms) with the ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies and efficient systems.

This is a hybrid position with a combination of on-campus and remote work.

Must be willing and able to travel occasionally domestically and internationally to represent MIT and conduct alumni visits.

Applications, including a resume and cover letter, will be accepted until Friday, October 16, 2026.

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.

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