Executive Director of Annual Giving

Annual Giving Network LLC; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

MIT Alumni Association is seeking an Executive Director of Annual Giving to lead a high-impact, data-driven program that engages 30,000+ annual donors and 250,000 prospects. You will partner with senior leadership, RD, and volunteer boards to build a sustainable culture of philanthropy aligned with MIT’s priorities.

The role is hybrid (on-campus and remote) in Cambridge, MA, with occasional domestic and international travel to connect with alumni and donors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years in fundraising or advancement.
• 5+ years leading large, diverse teams and budgets.
• Proven success with high-net-worth donors and data-driven campaigns.
• Ability to translate data to actionable strategies.
• Experience with CRM and analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual giving program and donor engagement strategy.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors across multiple channels.
• Partner with leadership, schools, and the Annual Giving Board to align priorities.
• Drive a data-driven, multi-channel campaign approach to revenue growth.
• Travel domestically and internationally to represent MIT and engage alumni.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Data analytics

CRM experience

Alumni relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM systems

Predictive analytics

Donor database software

Job description

Posting 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

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree anda minimum of tenyears 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.