Job Description

The Executive Director (ED) is a newly created leadership position within the MIT Media Lab, responsible for driving the Lab’s development, fundraising, and communications efforts, articulating the Lab’s vision  and formulating strategy. Collaborating closely with the Faculty Director of the Media Lab and serving as a member of the Lab’s Executive Committee, the Executive Director will play a critical role in amplifying and solidifying the Lab’s position as a global leader in innovation. This is a 3 year appointment with the possibility to extend.

Responsibilities

Vision, Strategy, and Communications

• Articulates the Media Lab’s vision, impact, and funding needs, and formulates Lab strategy, based on close collaboration with the Faculty Director, faculty, and other members of the Media Lab community 
• Oversees the development and execution of comprehensive communications strategies and narratives that effectively tell the story of the Media Lab, its vision and priorities, and impact in the world 
• Serves as the lead Media Lab representative at external events and speaking opportunities that involve engagement with potential corporate and philanthropic donors 
• Oversees the conception and development of high-impact events and outreach activities that enhance the organization’s visibility and engagement with key stakeholders

Fundraising and Relationship Building

• Develops and leads comprehensive revenue strategies and plans to meet fundraising goals by expanding the Media Lab consortia, sustaining and growing its philanthropic support, and developing new types of funding models and partnerships
•  Cultivates effective relationships with MIT alumni, companies, philanthropists, and other potential donors
• Grows the Media Lab’s global alumni network, with a focus on expanding alumni giving and other forms of alumni engagement
• Provides insight into research funding and trends to help position the Media Lab to maximize opportunities and plan ahead of major funding changes, trends, or shifts
• Analyzes and measures progress towards revenue goals and evaluates effectiveness of fundraising strategies and membership recruitment and retention
• Maintains portfolio of donors, corporations, and relationships

Team Leadership and Management

• Coaches, motivates, manages, mentors, and assesses leaders and team members in the Member Relations, Development, and Communication groups
•  Fosters a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability
• Optimizes synergies and opportunities for collaborations between Communications, Member Relations, and Development teams
• Collaborates and partners with the Media Lab’s Faculty Director, who has the ultimate fiduciary responsibility for the integrity of research, finances, and administration at the Media Lab

Other duties as needed:

• Responsible for managing and achieving budgetary objectives and metrics.
• Travel, evening, and weekend work as required.

Qualifications

REQUIRED: 

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 10 years related work experience
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, building capacity, and increasing revenue
• Ability to translate complex science and technology to diverse audiences
• Proven track record of successful, collaborative fundraising
• Supervisory experience: ability to motivate and inspire staff, and demonstrated managerial excellence
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to engage and inspire donors
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups of faculty and other constituencies
• Proficiency with a variety of CRM systems
• Excellent judgment and ability to maintain confidences
• Significant in-person presence at the Media Lab

PREFERRED: 

• Advanced degree
• Experience in higher education
• Experience in entrepreneurship and the technology sector
• Broad and in-depth knowledge of resource development best practices and trends

Please include a cover letter no more than 2 pages in length with your application.  Priority will be given to applications received by December 15, 2024.

To apply, please visit  MIT's careers at  https://hr.mit.edu/careers and search for job ID number #24593