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Associate Vice President and Dean for FAS Development, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/16/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/15/2025

Job Summary

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 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).

Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development
FAS Development is responsible for the fundraising efforts supporting the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, including Harvard College, the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. FAS Development staff work with Harvard College donors, alumni, parents, and friends who provide critical support for the FAS and often for other parts of the University.

The Associate Vice President and Dean for FAS Development leads the development enterprise on behalf of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), and as a senior member of the Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) organization. As the chief development officer of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Dean of Development oversees a staff of more than 180, which includes staff members from AA&D Resources service teams that are dedicated to FAS Development and are considered part of the full FAS Development team. This leadership position is responsible for developing, leading, and executing on the fundraising ambitions and priories of the FAS. The incumbent will shape fundraising vision and priorities that fuel the fundraising momentum fostered throughout and since Harvard’s last comprehensive campaign by build upon the loyal base of FAS alumni and donors which have served as the core of FAS’s philanthropic resources and volunteers and explore new ways of effectively responding to the changes in the philanthropic landscape and the increasing diversity of Harvard’s alumni population.

The Associate Vice President and Dean for FAS Development serves as a member of the Vice President of AA&D’s Executive Team to design and facilitate a university-wide alumni affairs and development workplan. In this capacity, the incumbent works in close collaboration with the Associate Vice Presidents leading the Harvard Alumni Association, University Development Office, and AA&D Resources, as well as other Harvard schools on leading and coordinating alumni engagement and fundraising initiatives.

In addition, the Associate Vice President and Dean for FAS Development will serve on the FAS Dean’s Leadership Team and works with the academic deans and unit leadership to both shape and strengthen the development agenda and make sure it remains aligned with the priorities established by the Dean of the FAS.

Position Description

Leadership and Management:
  • Oversee fundraising efforts across the FAS, including the following areas: Harvard College, the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Division of Science, the Division of Arts and Humanities, the Division of Social Science, the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Department of Athletics, the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, FAS Library, and the Division of Continuing Education. Develop and execute annual and multi-year operating plans that reflect the priorities and desired outcomes of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
  • Recruit, supervise, and mentor a senior leadership team responsible for overseeing the major functions, including major giving, gift planning, principal giving, the Harvard College Fund, development communications, stewardship and donor relations, academic and development coordination and planning and operations.
  • Lead and motivate a diverse and committed staff and manage successfully across change and growth. Develop team members by providing clear and direct feedback in a manner that is motivated by a desire to help individuals grow while advancing the overarching goals of the organization and the needs of the team.
  • Serve as a member of the AA&D Vice President’s executive team and the FAS Dean’s leadership team. Serve on other leadership committees and steering committees as requested.
  • Develop, manage, and steward the annual operating budget in alignment with the FAS Dean’s directives and the overall resource administration practices of AA&D.
  • Engage with genuine interest and curiosity with the faculty at the FAS and participate actively in the life of the campus.
  • Advocate strongly and persuasively for the interests of FAS in numerous settings.
  • Continue to lead the evolution of the FAS development as one that embraces best-in-class systems and processes to support the fundraising efforts. Develop and mine data that enables the FAS to broaden and better understand its prospective donor community.
Fundraising Leadership:
  • Partner closely with the FAS Dean and members of the FAS Leadership Group to shape concepts and ideas that frame the development agenda; provide expertise on the agenda’s feasibility based on data-driven analysis and assessment of prospect viability.
  • As the Chief Development Officer for the FAS, develop and execute annual and multi-year fundraising objectives aligned with FAS priorities and capture the participation of diverse alumni, parents, and friends.
  • Expand and nurture a broad and diverse community of volunteers and donors that reflects the diversity of the ever-evolving university community and our world.
  • Personally hold responsibility for a principal gift portfolio composed of FAS top prospects; lead and manage a high-performing, collaborative fundraising team and develop strategies to grow annual fundraising goals.
  • Partner closely with the FAS finance team, Vice President of AA&D, Associate Vice President of AA&D Resources, and Senior Director of Finance and Administration to support annual and multi-year budget planning.
  • Lead and support the comprehensive fundraising volunteer leadership community, including establishing a long-term leadership development and succession plan and designing content and roles that advance FAS development priorities.
Position description is continued under "Additional Information"

Basic Qualifications

  • Requires excellent communication skills including public speaking, and the ability to handle difficult situations with diplomacy and judgment
  • Minimum of 15 years of experience leading a large development enterprise. He or she will have an exceptional track record of leadership, engagement, and fundraising in large and complex universities or other similar institutions. The AVP/Dean will have worked successfully with a wide range of donors, leading to important and transformational gifts and the execution of highly sophisticated stewardship strategies.
  • A bachelor’s degree is required
  • Ability to travel is required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

  • Advanced degree is strongly preferred.
  • Impeccable character and integrity; someone whom the institution and community can trust completely and without reservation.
  • Superior interpersonal skills, a healthy sense of humor, and a supportive and accessible management style.
  • Intelligence, compassion, courage, and resilience.
  • Creative, critical, analytical thinker.
  • Ability to respect, honor, and balance the long-standing strengths of Harvard’s development operations while envisioning and implementing innovative approaches.
  • A supportive and accessible management style.
  • An excellent listener, who encourages input from a wide array of perspectives at all levels of the organization.
  • Self-awareness and strong commitment to personal and professional development, proactively seeking feedback and coaching.

Additional Information

Position description continued:

University-wide Leadership and Participation:
  • Understand the coherence, power, and synergy of the partnership between the FAS and the university’s AA&D; strengthen a “One Harvard” culture of philanthropy through establishing relationships built on mutual trust across FAS, AA&D, and the broader institution, including academic and administrative leadership, fundraising and governance volunteers, faculty, staff, alumni and other external constituents, and advancement professionals.
  • Collaborate closely with the Vice President of AA&D and the university development office on coordination of university principal gift prospects, strategies, and opportunities.
  • In partnership with the AA&D executive team, participate in the design, planning, and execution of university-wide campaigns and initiatives that have direct or indirect impact on FAS.
  • Participate in the regular UDO-convened President’s prospect review committee meetings to advise on strategy and foster alignment with FAS.
  • Manage, monitor, and facilitate cross-school fundraising by FAS alumni as appropriate.
  • Facilitate the FAS development team and FAS leaders’ involvement in the university-wide, multi-year AA&D next-gen enterprise systems project that will reimagine how modern technology supports alumni engagement.
  • Serve as a member of the university council of fundraising Deans and support the values and principles outlined in the "One Harvard" fundraising aspiration.
  • Serve as key facilitator and collaborator between FAS development, the Harvard Alumni Association, the university development office, and the FAS academic and administrative leadership.
Please note: To submit materials or nominate someone to serve as the FAS Associate Vice President and Dean for Development, please email: HarvardAVP@SpencerStuart.com.

This position requires a 6 month orientation and review period.

To learn more about the AA&D team, please visit our Careers site at https://alumni.harvard.edu/careers

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.

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.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/benefits-wellbeing) 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

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

302063 Development Manager

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

-

Salary Grade

063

Department

Alumni Affairs and Development

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, 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 this excellence 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

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