Senior Director, Philanthropic Partnerships

SENIOR DIRECTOR, PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIPS, Office of Philanthropic Partnerships, will serve as a senior leader responsible forshaping 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 Institute’s 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.

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of experience in principal gift–level fundraising or equivalent experience in a comparable setting—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; and the ability to blend philanthropic and business development approaches to identify new prospects and markets; a minimum of three years of management experience is essential, along with a proven 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.

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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.