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Development Manager

Position Overview: 

The Development Manager will lead MIT Technology Review’s efforts to secure philanthropic support from individual donors and foundations. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the leadership team, the Development Manager will develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support the organization's mission-driven journalism and future growth. The Development Manager will play a critical role in advancing the growth and sustainability of MIT Technology Review (MITTR), a leading publication with a 125-year history of reporting on science, innovation, and technology. This position is pivotal as it represents the organization's first dedicated development hire, with the goal of building a strategic and sustainable fundraising infrastructure. Typical gift ranges for this role are between $100K to $1M

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions**):

FUNDRAISING STRATEGY AND DONOR DEVELOPMENT

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aimed at building a sustainable portfolio of major donors and foundations.
  • Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individuals and foundations capable of making six-figure-plus contributions. Employ strategies to engage potential donors at various levels of the giving spectrum.
  • Conduct research to identify and evaluate donor prospects, grading them based on their giving potential and alignment with the organization’s mission.
  • Build and articulate a compelling case for support for MIT Technology Review, aligning with the publication’s vision and strategic priorities.

GRANT WRITING AND STEWARDSHIP

  • Build a stable of freelance grant writers to communicate clearly and compellingly the programs for which MITTR seeks funding.
  • Oversee the grant writing process, including drafting proposals and reviewing freelance deliverables. Ensure that all funding requests persuasively communicate the organization's needs, objectives and value proposition.
  • Manage ongoing relationships with current and past donors, providing regular updates, impact reports, and appreciation to strengthen long-term engagement.

PORTFOLIO AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

  • Maintain and manage an active portfolio of donor prospects. Leverage an entrepreneurial approach to expand the donor base and maximize fundraising opportunities.
  • Organize and manage multiple fundraising projects simultaneously, ensuring that timelines are met with a high degree of organization, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
  • Develop financial, statistical, and other reports to provide regular updates to MIT Technology Review senior leadership.

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND ALIGNMENT

  • Work closely with the CEO, leadership team, and central Resource Development (RD) office to align fundraising efforts with MIT’s broader goals and initiatives.
  • Act as a thought partner with senior leadership to generate innovative solutions, define strategic initiatives, and test concepts with key stakeholders.
  • Translate strategic goals into actionable plans, identifying necessary resources and determining the sequencing of steps to achieve objectives.
  • Leverage MIT Technology Review’s deep experience in making MIT faculty research accessible as a value add to Institutional fundraising priorities.

SYSTEMS DESIGN AND POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

  • Lead the implementation of donor management and resource development workflows, creating a robust and sustainable fundraising infrastructure.
  • Develop and update policies and procedures as needed, ensuring compliance with MIT's institutional standards.
  • Ensure compliance with MIT gift acceptance policies and procedures.

LIAISON AND INTERNAL COORDINATION

  • Coordinate with central Resource Development to align fundraising priorities, share resources, and leverage existing relationships for mutual benefit.
  • Engage senior leadership in fundraising efforts, providing necessary information and support to facilitate their involvement in donor outreach.

OTHER DUTIES

  • Perform other duties as assigned, adapting to the evolving needs of the organization and the strategic direction of MIT Technology Review.

Education and Experience:

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

 Bachelor’s degree required.  Minimum of 2 years of direct fundraising experience preferably within a museum, cultural institution, or higher education organization; proven record of cultivation and solicitation of six-figure-plus gifts; excellent interpersonal, organizational, project management, time management, and written and oral communication skills; an entrepreneurial approach to developing a prospect pool; ability to manage multiple projects with confidentiality and discretion; high-level computer proficiency, including with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

MIT or journalism fundraising experience; interest in science, innovation, and/or technology.

** To comply with regulations by the Americans 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.

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