Chief Growth Officer at MassChallenge, Inc.

The Organization: MassChallenge
The Role: Chief Growth Officer (CGO)
Location: Boston, willing to travel
Reports to: Cait Brumme, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation: Base $190,000-200,000 + Performance Bonus + Sales/ Commission Bonus

MassChallenge is the global network for innovators who are working to solve massive challenges. We connect startups, experts, corporations, and communities to grow and transform businesses and economies. Our mission is BIG, and thus we are a team that gives 100% every day.

MassChallenge is currently seeking a Chief Growth Officer to join our Leadership Team at our Boston-based office.

The Chief Growth Officer (CGO) will play a critical role in the executive team, driving the execution of MassChallenge’s MC 2030 vision focused on funding. In this newly created role, the CGO will lead initiatives to grow corporate partnerships, strengthen philanthropic and grant funding, and secure new revenue streams. The CGO will focus on acquiring, retaining, and expanding corporate relationships while cultivating grant and philanthropic opportunities. The ideal candidate is a high-urgency, outcomes-oriented leader with a proven ability to build impactful partnerships, scale revenue, and thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments.

Working closely with the leadership team, the CGO will execute strategic plans to expand customer segments and build sustainable revenue for our strategic plan.

Location

This is a hybrid role based in Boston, requiring at least two office days per week (typically Tuesday and Thursday) and travel as needed.

What You'll Do

Corporate Partnerships & Revenue Growth

1. Develop and implement a growth strategy focused on acquiring and retaining corporate partners in MC's industries like climate, security/defense, healthcare, and financial services.
2. Drive revenue generation through innovative partnership models that align with MassChallenge’s mission.
3. Identify and secure strategic relationships with C-suite executives (CIOs, CDOs) to drive new sponsorships, collaborations, and programmatic engagements.
4. Deepen existing partnerships, maximize renewal and upsell opportunities, and explore new markets to drive revenue growth.
5. Lead a corporate partnerships team focused on long-term retention and shared ownership of innovation initiatives with partners.

Grants & Philanthropy

1. Develop and lead strategies to grow grant funding and philanthropic support for MassChallenge’s mission.
2. Pursue new grant opportunities from foundations, governments, and other organizations, ensuring strong alignment with MassChallenge’s goals.
3. Cultivate key relationships with donors and grant-making organizations, ensuring successful proposal submissions and grant compliance.
4. Manage the development team to achieve annual funding and renewal objectives.
5. Oversee pipeline development, revenue forecasting, and reporting to the CEO and Board, ensuring transparency and accuracy.
6. Build and lead a high-performing growth, development, and partnerships team, fostering a culture of urgency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
7. Partner with Marketing, Program, and Operations teams to ensure a unified approach to partnerships and revenue generation.

Market Expansion & Thought Leadership

1. Develop strategies to expand MassChallenge offerings and programs, positioning the organization as a key partner for corporations and governments.
2. Represent MassChallenge at industry events as a thought leader in corporate innovation.

Who You Are & What You Bring

1. 10+ years in senior leadership roles (business development, corporate partnerships, revenue growth) in high-growth environments.
2. Proven ability to secure and manage high-value corporate partnerships and multimillion-dollar revenue initiatives.
3. Experience in grant funding and donor relations.
4. Strong business acumen, with a focus on urgency, results, and revenue generation.
5. Exceptional leadership, team-building, and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and represent MassChallenge externally.
6. Experience managing revenue operations and consistently exceeding targets.
7. A proven doer; willing and able to think strategically and roll up your sleeves.
8. Fluent in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Asana, and other key tools.

Who We Are

MassChallenge is the global network for innovators who are working to solve massive challenges. We connect startups, experts, corporations, and communities to grow and transform businesses and economies.

Why You Should Join Us

We believe working at MassChallenge is fulfilling because of the mission, challenging because of the pace and work, and rewarding because you get to build to the next step in your career here. When you join MassChallenge you join an incredible team and network of innovators and entrepreneurs, you take ownership over significant and strategically important projects, you focus on impact and output, and you help strengthen the global innovation ecosystem.

Our Core Values:

1. Founder Mindset: Optimism, Tenacity, Love the Problem
2. Connect & Collaborate: Empathy & Inclusion & Fun, Build Community, Connect the Dots
3. Progress over Perfection: Build on experience, Fail Fast, Demonstrate Traction

Compensation

MassChallenge offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with skills and experience. For this position, the base salary range is $190,000-200,000 + Performance Bonus + Sales/ Commission Bonus.

MassChallenge is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We seek individuals from a broad variety of backgrounds with varying levels of experience who have a desire to do meaningful work. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.