Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Executive Director of Annual Giving

Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in fundraising, advancement, or business development.
  • 5+ years experience managing large, diverse teams and budgets.
  • Proven success in cultivating relationships with high-net-worth donors.
  • Expertise in modern advancement tools such as CRMs and predictive analytics.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and execution of a high-impact annual giving program.
  • Cultivate, solicit, and steward a diverse donor base of over 30,000 annual donors.
  • Work with senior leadership to align annual giving with institutional priorities.
  • Build partnerships across various departments to enhance donor engagement.
  • Drive data-driven strategies for donor acquisition and retention.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model of on-campus and remote options.
  • Opportunity for occasional travel, both domestically and internationally.
  • Engagement with a vibrant alumni network and community.
  • Possibility for professional development within a dynamic institution.
Full 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 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.

9/15/2026

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". The university is known for its strong emphasis on scientific and technological research and its engineering programs. MIT was founded in 1861 and has a long history of innovation and entrepreneurship. The university has produced numerous Nobel laureates, Rhodes Scholars, and MacArthur Fellows.
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