Senior Director, Philanthropic Partnerships

Overview

SENIOR DIRECTOR, PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIPS, Office of Philanthropic Partnerships, will serve as a senior leader responsible for shaping and executing strategies that advance MIT's highest philanthropic priorities. The Senior Director oversees a small team of frontline fundraisers, manages a portfolio of high-capacity prospects, and helps drive the Institutes efforts to secure principal and transformational gifts from individual and corporate donors. Working closely with the Executive Director and a fellow Senior Director, this role provides strategic direction, strengthens cross-team collaboration, and ensures alignment across OPP and the broader Resource Development organization.

The Senior Director designs and implements complex donor engagement strategies that connect Institute strengths with donor interests, cultivating relationships capable of generating commitments of $5M or more and expanding MIT's reach in emerging and high-impact markets such as artificial intelligence, climate, health, manufacturing, and quantum technologies.

• Lead and execute strategies to advance MIT's philanthropic priorities.
• Oversee a small team of frontline fundraisers; manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects.
• Develop donor engagement strategies to nurture relationships capable of generating commitments of $5M or more.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and a fellow Senior Director to align efforts across OPP and the Resource Development organization.
• Architect and implement donor strategies in emerging and high-impact markets (e.g., artificial intelligence, climate, health, manufacturing, quantum technologies).

REQUIRED:

Bachelors degree and a minimum of seven years of experience in principal gift-level fundraising or equivalent experience with a strong record of securing multimillion-dollar commitments; a deep understanding of donor motivation; demonstrated success in engaging high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals; ability to blend philanthropic and business development approaches to identify new prospects and markets; a minimum of three years of management experience, with the ability to coach staff, set goals, and drive performance;

exceptional communication skills; strategic judgment; intellectual curiosity; adaptability and professionalism.

• This is a hybrid position with a combination of on-campus and remote work.
• Must be willing and able to travel up to 20% time.
• Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.

Working at MIT offers opportunities that just aren t found anywhere else, including generous and unique benefits that help to ensure that MIT employees are healthy, supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work/life balance. Discover more about what it's like to work at MIT.

We welcome people from all walks of life to bring their talent, ideas, and experience to our community. We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds like yours. If you want to be part of our exceptional, multicultural, collaborative, and inclusive community, then take a look at this opportunity.