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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.

Senior Officer, Foundation Relations
  • Job Number: 24142
  • Functional Area: Development/Fundraising
  • Department: Vice Pres for Resource Development
  • School Area: VP for Resource Development
  • Employment Type: Full-time (Hybrid)
  • Employment Category: Exempt
  • Visa Sponsorship Available: No
  • Schedule:


Job Description

SENIOR OFFICER, FOUNDATION RELATIONS, Resource Development, to be responsible and accountable for establishing, implementing, tracking, and delivering on strategies for the growth of the OFR fundraising program.  The focus is on securing six- to eight-figure awards supporting a subset of MIT’s five schools, one college, and numerous departments, labs, and centers while fulfilling the Institute's goals and priorities.  

Job Requirements

REQUIRED:  bachelor’s degree; five year’s fundraising experience, preferably within a complex academic or research-based institution with a focus on the life sciences, and an understanding of the complexities of foundation fundraising within this environment; excellent interpersonal, organizational, planning, problem-solving, analytical, time management, presentation, project management, editing, and written and oral communication skills; experience working with foundations, faculty, senior officers, and development professionals to raise significant funds for an institution and further its goals/mission; experience developing relationships with donors and prospects, negotiating the interests of foundation donors and the Institute, and securing gift commitments at the $1M level and above; familiarity with philanthropic trends related to foundations and with basic processes of foundation funding and gift/grant acceptance; experience setting and implementing strategy; attention to detail, accuracy, quality, and time sensitivity; comfort with academic, scientific, and/or highly technical materials; discretion with confidential information; and proficiency with standard applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Zoom, and PowerPoint) and fundraising databases.  Must be able to convey information clearly and concisely; work effectively with and gain the respect and support of various constituencies; influence others toward a common vision/goal and develop and negotiate complex relationships and proposals; and embrace challenges and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, complex, team-oriented environment.  PREFERRED:  master’s/advanced degree.  Job #24142-11


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

Must be willing and able to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel with and staff the president, senior officers, and faculty to key meetings with prospects and donors.

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

6/13/24