What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Dean, Academic and Donor Engagement position at Harvard University?
Job Summary
Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D)
Alumni Affairs and Development is a dedicated team supporting Harvard’s advancement activity through front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, prospect management and research, business process, events, communications, and many other areas.
Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees; to deliver the strongest possible results by incorporating diverse perspectives into our daily work; and to make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. We strive to live with our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation; and open communication and effective information sharing in our daily interactions and our work.
AA&D is comprised of the University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
As a member of the senior management team of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development Office, this full-time exempt position is responsible for overseeing the functions of Donor Relations, Academic and Development Planning, Academic and Donor Engagement, and Terms and Development Policy which provide critical support services to the FAS frontline fundraisers, donors, academic and administrative leaders and faculty.
The Assistant Dean will work closely with the Associate Vice President and Dean of Development, and the FAS Development Management team to shape, articulate, and advance priorities that achieve fundraising goals. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for developing and executing high-level strategies to enable the realization of established goals and objectives in support of the annual and multi-year objectives for the FAS.
Alumni Affairs and Development is a dedicated team supporting Harvard’s advancement activity through front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, prospect management and research, business process, events, communications, and many other areas.
Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees; to deliver the strongest possible results by incorporating diverse perspectives into our daily work; and to make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. We strive to live with our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation; and open communication and effective information sharing in our daily interactions and our work.
AA&D is comprised of the University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
As a member of the senior management team of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development Office, this full-time exempt position is responsible for overseeing the functions of Donor Relations, Academic and Development Planning, Academic and Donor Engagement, and Terms and Development Policy which provide critical support services to the FAS frontline fundraisers, donors, academic and administrative leaders and faculty.
The Assistant Dean will work closely with the Associate Vice President and Dean of Development, and the FAS Development Management team to shape, articulate, and advance priorities that achieve fundraising goals. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for developing and executing high-level strategies to enable the realization of established goals and objectives in support of the annual and multi-year objectives for the FAS.
Position Description
- Directly supervises the Director of Donor Relations, who oversees stewardship reporting, acknowledgements, donor recognition, and related events.
- In partnership with the Director of Donor Relations, develops a comprehensive and systematic FAS-wide approach to creating, implementing and assessing donor relations strategies and programs to ensure that donors to FAS receive the attention, recognition, and periodic updates on the activities and impact supported by their gifts, commensurate with the donor’s gift level. Working with FAS Finance ensures that reportable endowments are used in accordance with their terms. Ensures that department activities are communicated to all interested individuals, including fundraisers and administrative personnel, using the Advance system and other methods.
- Works closely with University Donor Relations to ensure that FAS donors to FAS Science priorities, University Professorships, and centrally administered funds are properly stewarded and there is alignment on messaging and a systematic and comprehensive view of donor engagement with Harvard.
- Responsible for FAS-wide acknowledgements strategy. Oversees staff responsible for day-to-day production of acknowledgements for gifts to FAS from FAS Dean and HCF Executive Director, among others. Ensures that FAS acknowledgements efforts, particularly regarding the gathering and tracking of donor/gift information, are closely coordinated with the Presidential acknowledgements program.
- Works with the Executive Director of Development Marketing & Communications on Dean’s messaging to key donor communities and tailoring bespoke communications and outreach to individual alumni and parents.
- In partnership with the Director of Academic and Donor Engagement, oversees the management and implementation of donor engagement strategies and activities involving the FAS Dean, academic deans and faculty and senior academic administrators, development leadership, including event programs and donor/prospect meetings.
- In partnership with the Director of Academic and Donor Engagement and frontline management, oversee and develop strategies of volunteer groups, such as the FAS Dean’s Council, Financial Aid Working Group, Major Gift Committees (West Coast, NYC, and Boston), FAS Asia Advisory Council, and SEAS Dean’s Cabinet.
- Works with the Director of Academic and Development Planning to develop and translate academic priorities and initiatives into fundraising priorities, as well as proposals for donors in line with FAS fundraising priorities. Partners with academic leaders, financial partners, and administrators to ensure alignment of funding opportunities with academic and financial objectives.
- Directs the work of the Senior Associate Director, Terms and Development Policy and their team to provide operational leadership for FAS Development’s gift terms development; works with partners in AA&D, specifically related to the Gift Policy Committee, and ensures alignment with University gift policy.
- Partners strategically with frontline management and other members of the FAS Management Team and their direct reports to identify and implement strategies that support the goals of FAS Development.
- Works with FAS Events and Academic and Donor Engagement on oversight of all fiscal year planning for events and travel.
- Ensures that all materials produced by the departments are of the highest quality and accuracy. Implements processes to ensure proper editing and review of written materials.
- Attends FAS staff meetings, prospect review sessions and other meetings as needed. Attends other training sessions, conferences, and workshops as required.
- Manages special projects as needed.
Basic Qualifications
- Graduate from an accredited college with a minimum fifteen (15) years’ experience preferably in an academic setting with a successful track record as a leader, manager, and strategist in a complex organizational environment; fundraising, academic, higher education, or related transferable experience preferred.
- The position requires a minimum of five (5) years of management experience with a proven ability to motivate, engage and work with colleagues and senior administrators.
- Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- This position requires an extremely high level of professionalism, collegiality, self-motivation, organization, and the ability to work effectively with faculty, senior administrators, staff and donors.
- Experience working in communications, donor relations and/or gift policy. Experience in utilizing a multi-channel, digital approach to alumni/parent engagement, ranging from donor relations work to broad based alumni communications. The ability to segment and utilize data to inform organizational decisions and inform future direction of alumni engagement using the latest strategies.
- Experience working on large scale academic campaign planning, including work with capital projects, which require tracking, case development, and multi-year planning with multiple stakeholders.
- Must be a professional, confidential, and trustworthy person. Must be able to deal effectively with people from all types of backgrounds and experience and in all types of difficult situations. Must have definite abilities to evaluate problems accurately and display good, sound and confidential judgment. Must be able to listen carefully as well as to influence and persuade others.
- Demands a sophisticated understanding of development and academic affairs in a complex university environment.
- Ability to work effectively in a data-driven decision-making and management environment.
- Superb organizational skills. Must have solid analytical skills. Must be motivated to learn and flexible to change. Must be creative and proactive yet disciplined, discriminating and able to streamline work volume in order to maintain bottom line efforts in midst of multi-tasking and daily re-prioritizing. Must have ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Excellent public speaking, presentation skills and written communication skills required.
- Computer literacy required.
Additional Information
- This position requires a 6 month orientation and review period.
- Please include a cover letter with your application.
To learn more about how Harvard supports diversity and inclusion throughout the University please visit the Office for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at https://dib.harvard.edu/.
Accommodations: Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please let your recruiter know.
COVID 19 Vaccination Information: The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Work Format Details
This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
This position is hybrid, but the exact schedule may be subject to change due to any operational adjustments in the department.
This position is hybrid, but the exact schedule may be subject to change due to any operational adjustments in the department.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
- Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
- Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
- Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
- Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
- Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
- Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
- Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
- Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Job Function
Alumni Affairs and Development, Communications
Department Office Location
USA - MA - Cambridge
Job Code
CM0262 Communications Management Dir
Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Sub-Unit
-
Salary Grade
062
Department
Alumni Affairs and Development
Union
00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
Time Status
Full-time
Pre-Employment Screening
Education, Identity
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)
#LI-JP1
Salary : $5,250
