What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director of Development, Principal Gifts, Faculty of Arts and Sciences 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 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).
The Executive Director is a leader and contributor in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), overseeing a team of principal gift fundraisers responsible for engaging, soliciting, and stewarding prospects for 8- to 10 figure gifts. Reporting to the Associate Vice President and Dean of Development (AVPDOD), this position personally manages a small portfolio of prospects. The Executive Director plays a critical leadership role in shaping transformational gift opportunities, providing leadership on a strategic framework and vision, and coaching colleagues to secure principal gifts that advance the mission and priorities of the FAS. The Executive Director serves as a member of the FAS Development Management team and works closely with the AVPDOD, Dean of FAS, in addition to senior administrators, fundraisers and other colleagues, and regularly with the University President and Provost.
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).
The Executive Director is a leader and contributor in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), overseeing a team of principal gift fundraisers responsible for engaging, soliciting, and stewarding prospects for 8- to 10 figure gifts. Reporting to the Associate Vice President and Dean of Development (AVPDOD), this position personally manages a small portfolio of prospects. The Executive Director plays a critical leadership role in shaping transformational gift opportunities, providing leadership on a strategic framework and vision, and coaching colleagues to secure principal gifts that advance the mission and priorities of the FAS. The Executive Director serves as a member of the FAS Development Management team and works closely with the AVPDOD, Dean of FAS, in addition to senior administrators, fundraisers and other colleagues, and regularly with the University President and Provost.
Position Description
- Directly supervises a team of fundraisers responsible for raising principal gifts, whose portfolios focus on those prospects that can give $10M . Drives and assesses the overall strategy that engages FAS’s principal gift population. Sets individual goals, guides prospect strategies, models and encourages collaboration and transparency, communicates metrics, provides feedback, conducts performance management, attends to professional development, and allocates work. Sets team goals with measurable objectives, communicates with and convenes the fundraisers and support staff, and builds a positive team culture. Assigns prospects to fundraisers.
- Manages a prospect portfolio of at most 25-30 prospects. Drives strategic, consistent, personalized engagement with assigned donors, including meaningful interaction with academic leaders, faculty, and other major supporters. Builds effective relationships to deeply engage donors in the FAS’s/University’s mission and priorities. Models a donor centric and highly collaborative approach to the work. Staffs and briefs senior academic administrators and faculty for substantive, strategic prospect/donor visits and events. Meets expectations for cultivation, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship, that he/she has established for the team. Collaborates with colleagues to develop engagement and stewardship plans.
- Works with the AVPDOD to develop the strategic framework for multi-year principal gift strategies in partnership with the academic deans and Academic Development Planning team. Develops the training and facilitation of the fundraising framework among the FAS Principal Gifts team. Serves as a coach and partner to fellow gift officers in applying the framework in gift development efforts. Serves as lead principal gift officer on assigned mini-initiatives and campaigns, and in this capacity, develops the overall fundraising strategy, develops prospect lists and gift tables, and manages the project’s overall fundraising activities.
- Designs and leads activities intended to foster a collaborative principal gifts environment across the team and University partners, with the goal of maximizing philanthropy at the $25M levels. Creates forums for principal gifts colleagues across the FAS to share best practices. Collaborates with staff responsible for creating and disseminating content to ensure that principal gift officers have opportunities to learn about academic priorities and transformational opportunities across FAS and Harvard. Communicates with internal stakeholders to ensure long-term impact on the University’s ability to maintain a robust and active pipeline of principal gift prospects and develop fundraising strategies that leverage a broad range of philanthropic opportunities and fundraiser talent from across Harvard.
- Provides experience and expertise for staff responsible for developing transformational gift opportunities, big ideas, materials and recognition. Provides experience and insight as a senior leader on programs, proposals, recognition and communications for principal gift audiences. Provides experience and expertise to staff responsible for developing materials and building pipelines for initiatives, affiliates, and priorities. Provides insight and communicates needs to staff outside the team who are responsible for supporting principal gifts on reporting, pipeline management, use of the Advance database, and other operational items.
- The above covers the most significant responsibilities of this position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.
Basic Qualifications
- Minimum of 15 years of experience in university fundraising as a seasoned fundraising professional with a successful track record of developing and executing strategies for 8- and 9-figure solicitations.
- Experience managing fundraisers is required.
- Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel as necessary for donor meetings.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- A sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles and practices, the ability to move prospect strategies forward, an orientation toward action, and a high level of intellectual curiosity. Experience at a major research university preferred.
- Strong soft skills that include an ability to form productive working relationships with donors, prospects, administrative leaders, faculty, senior fundraising colleagues across the University, and colleagues of all levels in the AA&D organization; an ability to leverage volunteers in advancing donor relationships and gift discussions; an ability to translate a broad range of academic areas into inspiring visions for donors, and a high level of adaptability and flexibility as needs and priorities change.
- The Executive Director must possess excellent communication skills and the ability to maintain confidential information.
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
Department Office Location
USA - MA - Cambridge
Job Code
302061 Development Manager
Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Sub-Unit
-
Salary Grade
061
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
