Individual Giving Officer

Individual Giving Officer

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research is a leading, nonprofit research and educational institution that has defined the cutting edge of biomedical science, creating a legacy of research excellence and academic eminence since 1982.​ Wholly independent in its governance, finances and research programs, Whitehead shares a teaching affiliation with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), offering the intellectual, collegial and scientific benefits of a leading research university.​ Whitehead’s Faculty Members and Fellows run pioneering programs in cancer research, immunology, developmental biology, stem cell research, regenerative medicine, genetics and genomics—programs with a record of success.​

We offer excellent benefits including a choice of health insurance options; a generous retirement plan; comprehensive dental, disability and life insurance coverage; competitive salary, substantial vacation and holiday time; and programs for tuition reimbursement, dependent care assistance, pre-tax spending accounts, and subsidized public transportation or parking.

Whitehead Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CLASSIFICATION:                Exempt; Administrative Support Staff

DEPARTMENT:              Institutional Advancement

REPORTS TO:               Manager of Advancement

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Manager of Advancement, the Individual Giving Officer (IGO) will be responsible for the direct engagement and solicitation of existing and prospective donors to the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. The IGO will work to ensure that the Institute’s endowment, capital, planned giving, and special project funding priorities are met by raising major and principal gifts. The IGO will also work closely with Institute Faculty, Fellows, and high-level volunteers, as well as the Manager of Advancement and the Manager of Advancement Operations and their teams, to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospective donors according to best practices and team procedures and policies. The IGO will carry a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and will undertake fundraising for planned gifts, special projects, and initiatives as charged. The major gift officer should devote 60% of their time to visits with prospective donors and existing donors, either alone or in tandem with leadership.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

• Reporting to the Manager of Advancement, engage, solicit, and manage a portfolio of
  100+ individual prospects in various stages of the development cycle at the major and principal gift levels.
• Identification and qualification of major and principal gift prospects with a focus on donor acquisition.
• Responsible for an annual goal of $5M.
• Independently develop and implement strategies for individual donors and prospects for major and principal gifts, as well as planned gifts.
• Meet specific personal goals for qualification, engagement, and solicitation of prospects as developed with the Manager of Advancement.
• Support or conduct face-to-face visits, solicitations, and other high-level interactions with major and principal gift donors and prospects either independently, or as staff to the Director, Vice President for External Relations, Manager of Advancement, Faculty or high-level volunteers as individual strategies may require.
• Must be willing to actively and assertively contact prospective donors resulting in 15 donor visits monthly and provide visit and gift tracking data. Track all
  prospect outreach and information in Raiser’s Edge and produce contact reports in a timely fashion.
• Coordinate involvement of board members, volunteers, WI management, and staff as
  appropriate with donor strategies.
• Coordinate and support special projects and initiatives as charged.
• Complete other projects as assigned by the Manager of Advancement.
• Frequent travel, regional, national and potentially international, may be required to meet donors and prospects, as well as regular participation in evening and weekend events.
• The gift officer is expected to conduct an average of between 3 to 5 visits a week. That equates to 12 to 15 visits a month; 145 to 180 meetings a year. The gift officer should visit approximately 75 percent of their portfolio each year.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Background in fundraising for biomedical research.
• Collaborative team player, who interacts successfully with colleagues on organizational goals.
• Excellent social, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working with high-level decision makers, trustees, and other volunteers. Excellent verbal/written communication, organizational and presentation skills.
• Must exercise significant judgment and confidentiality in working with prospects, volunteers, faculty and staff.
• Knowledge of prospect management systems. Ability to work within electronic environment for solicitation and gift tracking.
• Knowledge of planned giving concepts and principles.
• Must be willing to travel as necessary to achieve goals.
• Computer literate and fluent with current software and shareware, as well as Zoom and video conferencing software.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of five years of development experience with a proven record of accomplishment in closing seven figure commitments or more.
• Proficiency with fundraising for basic biomedical research and experience in working with high-level faculty and volunteers.

Interested candidates should submit a resume to resumes@wi.mit.edu

Whitehead Institute is an E-Verify employer

 Salary Range: $100k- $110k

Visit our career website: https://wi.mit.edu/careers or send resumes to Resumes@wi.mit.edu