Assistant Director of Development, Harvard College Fund, Reunion Campaigns

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Development works in the Harvard College Fund and reports to a Managing Director of Development, Reunions. This full-time, exempt position plans and executes fundraising efforts for one Harvard College reunion class each year, ranging from the 5th through the 50th reunion. The role works closely with staff and alumni leaders to manage volunteer committees and maximize fundraising dollars and participation. It secures capital and annual support from alumni, primarily for the College and also for other Faculty of Arts and Sciences and University priorities. The position develops class-wide fundraising plans and individual prospect strategies, and travels occasionally to survey, solicit, and coordinate top donor prospects and volunteer leaders.

The role requires knowledge of basic fundraising principles, volunteer management, and annual, capital, and planned-giving fundraising, along with strong organization, professionalism, and written and oral communication skills. It manages alumni classes in and out of reunion; identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards prospects; plans and manages reunion campaigns; and enlists and supports volunteer leaders. It also collaborates across Harvard fundraising, alumni, research, operations, and engagement teams, and directs the work of and mentors a shared, full-time Development Assistant.

The position is hybrid, with onsite work in the Cambridge, Massachusetts office on assigned weekly days and potential additional onsite meetings. The schedule and work location are set by the department based on operational needs. The role requires approximately 15–20% travel on working days, as well as some event and weekend work, including spring reunions. Standard hours are 40 per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 4 years of experience in university fundraising and administration or related transferable experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Windows and databases.
• Knowledge of academic communities.
• Demonstrated success in annual or capital giving, or applicable ability.
• Ability to write fundraising materials and devise sophisticated cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Events management experience or ability.
• Proven ability to motivate, engage, and work with alumni, university officials, faculty, and staff or similar constituencies.
• Ability to evaluate problems accurately and exercise sound, confidential judgment.
• Ability to learn, adapt to change, innovate, think strategically and conceptually, manage multiple projects, and handle difficult situations tactfully.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and efficient, with the ability to produce clear documentation.
• Excellent public speaking, presentation, and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and streamline work while multitasking and adjusting priorities, with the managing director's guidance.
• Professionalism, confidentiality, honesty, trustworthiness, a strong work ethic, and a professional and caring demeanor.
• Even disposition and ability to deal effectively and politely with people from varied backgrounds and in difficult situations.
• Collaborative, conscientious, and results-oriented; able to listen, influence, and persuade.
• Able to work onsite in the Cambridge, MA office on assigned weekly days and potentially attend additional meetings onsite.
• Available for approximately 15–20% travel on working days and some event and weekend work, including spring reunions.

Responsibilities

• Manage Harvard College alumni classes in and out of reunion.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward top prospects in assigned classes.
• Determine solicitation strategies for prospects targeted for Associates-level ($1,000+) asks, independently and with management assistance.
• Strategize with prospect managers on prospects in their portfolios.
• Solicit leadership- and Associates-level gifts.
• Enlist and manage volunteer leadership.
• Plan and manage reunion gift campaigns by establishing calendars and goals, monitoring metrics, reporting results, conducting committee meetings and calls, and devising strategic social events.
• Identify, enlist, manage, and steward volunteers in collaboration with HCF management and relevant FAS and University gift officers.
• Guide conversations to encourage diverse and inclusive volunteer representation.
• Set clear expectations for volunteer roles and responsibilities and guide committees in support of FAS and HCF priorities and goals.
• Make solicitation assignments, provide resources to facilitate solicitations, follow up to close gifts, and document pledges.
• Steward volunteers to support a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
• Collaborate with HCF management and teams across major gifts, gift planning, principal gifts, alumni programs, research and prospect management, development services, operations, academic coordination, and donor engagement.
• Direct the work of and mentor a shared, full-time Development Assistant.
• Collaborate on special projects with the HCF Management Team and FAS and UDO fundraising staff to advance fundraising objectives.
• Travel to survey, solicit, and coordinate top donor prospects and volunteer leaders.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level