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MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering
MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering

DMSE Job Opportunities

DMSE occasionally hires for a wide range of positions. Opportunities include faculty positions for people with a PhD in materials science and engineering; research scientists or postdoctoral fellows or associates for recent PhD graduates or experienced researchers who want to pursue advance research in the field; lecturers and technical instructors; and administrative and support staff positions.

Please note that the availability of these positions varies over time and depends on the department’s specific needs, ongoing projects, and funding opportunities. To browse all open positions at MIT, visit MIT Human Resources’ Careers page.

There are currently no open positions. Please check again for updates.

There are currently no open positions. Please check again for updates.

There are currently no open positions. Please check again for updates.

Leadership Giving Officer

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT seeks a Leadership Giving Officer. The hiring pay range is $105,000 – $138,700. 

Position Overview

Reporting jointly to the Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE) and the School of Engineering (SoE) Assistant Dean for Development, the Leadership Giving Officer (LGO) will create and execute a comprehensive, strategic development plan, designed to raise financial support and awareness for DMSE. This position manages, builds and executes successful fundraising strategies for a mature portfolio (including Core Team) creating individualized solicitation plans leading to major and principal gifts in support of MIT’s fundraising priorities, capital projects and other departmental priorities.   

Responsibilities include working collaboratively with the DMSE Department Head, key faculty and investigators, administrative officer, and events/communications staff to increase the visibility of DMSE and establish a thriving community of supporters, including both philanthropic and industry partnerships. The LGO will build, manage, and collaborate on a portfolio of donors and industry prospects (including Core Team); collaborate with MIT’s central prospect management teams as well as with colleagues within MIT’s School of Engineering Resource Development group and MIT’s Office of Corporate Relations, to identify and engage prospective donors and industry partners.  This work will include, but not be limited to, taking part in face-to-face donor/industry partner/prospect visits; arranging faculty meetings, site tours, and events; drafting high-level proposals; creating materials and disseminating content and collateral related to DMSE; and, as well as strategically orchestrate meetings and other interactions between faculty/staff with prospects, donors, and industry partners.  
 
The LGO will help maximize the Department Head’s/faculty travel to engage with prospective donors and industry partners. The LGO is responsible for keeping all relevant donor/prospect records updated with notes and activities. 

Principal Responsibilities
  1. Manages portfolio of 50-75 prospects and donors (including core team collaborations with Central Resource development), including identification, cultivation and solicitation ($100,000+).  Primary focus will be on departmental priorities such as fellowships, professorships, capital projects, and research funds.  
  2. Work collaboratively with DMSE Department Head and faculty, as well as Resource Development colleagues, to identify and engage new prospective donors, expanding the donor base and philanthropic support of DMSE.  
  3. Take part in face-to-face donor/industry partner/prospect visits (often including the DMSE Department Head, faculty, and/or senior administrators), as well as strategically orchestrate meetings and other interactions between faculty/staff and donors, industry partners, or prospects. Maximize DMSE Department Head/faculty travel to engage with prospective donors and industry partners. Provide and update all relevant donor/prospect records accordingly. 
  4. Work collaboratively with DMSE Department Head and faculty to develop and execute a strategy to build relationships with and maintain a network of partner organizations resulting in research collaborations, funding, and recruitment opportunities. 
  5. Research and prepare background information, draft high-level strategy briefings and prepare correspondence or other communications as needed. 
  6. Work collaboratively with all SoE colleagues; members of the Resource Development team (including Office of Philanthropic Partnerships, Individual Giving, and Foundation Relations), Corporation Relations and the Industrial Liaison Program; MIT communications units; MIT Alumni Association; and members of the MIT Corporation; departmental Visiting Committee(s); and external volunteers. 
  7. In partnership with the Assistant Dean for Development, the SoE Donor Relations Officer,  and the Resource Development stewardship team, develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for stewardship of current DMSE donors. 
  8. Oversee and assist with developing, producing, and disseminating collateral and content related to initiatives including high-level proposals. 
  9. Represent SoE and DMSE at events and meetings. 
  10. Event Planning – In partnership with DMSE teammates and Resource Development colleagues, develop concept and content of DMSE development-related events. 
  11. Using the central Resource Development data management system, Advance, ensure data consistency and accuracy with prospect and donor records.  Run reports and work with the DMSE Administrative Officer and the MIT Office of the Recording Secretary to ensure all gifts are properly tracked and stewarded.  Enter contact reports for prospect and donor engagements and key conversations.  
  12. Analyzes giving trends and recommends targeted strategies for increasing support. 
  13. Regularly reports on progress against goals. 
  14. Documents all donor interactions in a timely fashion utilizing MIT Advancement database. 
  15. Perform other duties as required. 
Supervision Received

Reports directly to the Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the School of Engineering, Assistant Dean for Development. 

Supervision Exercised

None

Qualifications & Skills
REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree. Three years of direct fund-raising experience. Applicant must have exceptional interpersonal, organizational, project management, and communication skills, both written and oral, as well as time management skills relating with diverse constituencies, including faculty; alumni; resource development colleagues; and industrial partners. 
 
The candidate must have the ability to manage multiple projects with confidentiality and discretion, and the ability to produce high-quality and compelling written materials for department leadership. Active learner and effective communicator. A high level of computer and office software competency is required, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Travel regionally and out-of-state is required for ~20% of time. Ability to work evening and occasional weekend hours with advance notice.  

PREFERRED

Background in an engineering or scientific field. Experience working in higher education organization. A proven record of successful cultivation and solicitation of 6-figure+ gifts is highly desirable and entrepreneurial approach to developing a prospect pool. Strong interest in the DMSE mission. Experience with research university culture and administration. Knowledge of professional options and career strategies, particularly, but not exclusively in engineering or other related fields. Prior experience presenting content to large groups. Proficiency with prospect management systems or other CRM systems. 

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