Development Officer

Pay Range Minimum: $107,100

Pay Range Maximum: $140,600

MIT Open Learning:

MIT Open Learning is the Institute’s engine for educational innovation and global impact. Led by MIT’s Vice Provost for Open Learning, our work is driven by the belief that everyone should have access to knowledge. We create innovative digital learning experiences that break down barriers to education and harness MIT’s strengths in research and technological innovation. In joining Open Learning, you help create opportunities for learners everywhere to learn with and from MIT, furthering the Institute’s mission of advancing knowledge in service to the nation and the world.

Position Overview:

The Development Officer, Open Learning, raises funds to support Open Learning initiatives with the Associate Director of Development. The Development Officer, Open Learning, develops and implements strategic plans to raise gifts and/or other revenues from foundations, corporations, and individual donors. Typically, gifts secured by the Development Officer, Open Learning, are in the upper six figure to greater than $1M range.  The Development Officer, Open Learning, will focus intense and particular attention on foundations, corporations, and individuals whose resources are associated with the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions**):

• This position operates on a high-velocity, team-based model that thrives on real-time, in-person collaboration with the Open Learning Open Education team and Open Learning finance, faculty, and donors. In-person presence in Cambridge, MA, for a minimum of two days per week (when not traveling for business) is an essential function of this role because it allows Open Learning teams to iterate messaging instantly, share real-time donor insights, and gain an intuitive understanding of shifting funding priorities. The face-to-face environment directly contributes to more informed matches between funders and initiatives and highly successful solicitations when donor/prospect meetings, special events, and team meetings take place in person on the MIT campus.
• Collaborates with Open Learning and Institute resource development colleagues to create, develop, and execute donor relations and stewardship strategies and to identify prospects and arrange meetings with Open Learning leaders for cultivation and solicitation.
• Develops positive face-to-face relationships with faculty and staff to facilitate a deep understanding of the broad range of work conducted within Open Learning, for the purpose of matching this work with potential funders.
• Manages own portfolio of prospects and donors acquired through personal and professional networks, with particular focus on foundations, corporations, and individuals connected to the AI industry; Associate Director will add assignments to this list appropriate. 
• Collaborates on symposia, conferences, and other special events to cultivate prospective donors and acknowledge current major donors. 
• Develop, produce, and disseminate content related to departmental initiatives and opportunities for funding.
• Prior to Open Learning leadership development meetings, researches and prepares background information, prepares high-level strategy briefings and other communications.
• Travels and works nights and weekends as required.
• Oversees writing of contact reports and prospect research reports using MIT’s Advance database.
• Analyzes giving trends and recommends targeted strategies for increasing support.
• Regularly reports on progress against goals, and issues, if any.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• The Development Officer is required to work in person on the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA, a minimum of two days a week when not traveling for business. This hybrid schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the Resource Development team, Open Learning, or MIT.

Supervision Received:

Reports to the Associate Director of Development.

Supervision Exercised:

N/A

Qualifications & Skills: 

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree required.

Minimum 3 years of experience working with corporate, individual, and philanthropic donors.

Broad knowledge of the Fundraising discipline and broad understanding of other related disciplines required.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience with higher education organizations preferred.

Experience administering projects, programs and philanthropic strategies is preferred.

** To comply with regulations by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the principal duties in job descriptions must be essential to the job. To identify essential functions, focus on the purpose and the result of the duties rather than the manner in which they are performed. The following definition applies: a job function is essential if removal of that function would fundamentally change the job.