Associate Director of Development, Direct Response Marketing

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Development, Direct Response Marketing executes omnichannel campaigns across print, digital, and emerging technologies for the Harvard College Fund, Graduate School Fund, Athletics, and the 1636 Loyalty Society recognition program. The role turns strategy into production plans, audience segmentation, and coordinated timelines, managing campaigns from planning through deployment and providing input on messaging and creative direction. It also maintains key partnerships, supports operational improvements and process documentation, and supervises a Development Assistant Specialist.

The Associate Director supports the Managing Director of Development, Direct Response Marketing, in overseeing direct response marketing strategy and requesting signatories, and assumes team leadership in the Managing Director’s absence. The role collaborates on workflows and project-management frameworks, monitors campaign performance and trends, and uses data to refine fundraising strategy and maximize revenue and participation. It also oversees campaign project management, creative development, partner relationships, internal communications, and opportunities for donor and revenue growth.

The position is hybrid. Work schedules and locations are set by the department according to operational needs; employees working outside a Harvard-designated location must work in a Harvard-registered state. The role requires 40 hours per week and attendance at some events and campus activities, including spring reunions, and on-campus department retreats in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A cover letter is requested. The orientation and review period is three months. Harvard does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant or transferable experience, such as direct response marketing, fundraising, or annual giving.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
• Excellent organization and time-management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret and report data.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Ability and willingness to learn Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Office Suite, and HTML.
• Must meet work-location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Nice To Haves

• BA/BS degree preferred.
• Proven project-management skills, including developing and executing direct response marketing plans, managing schedules and budgets, coordinating stakeholders, and assessing performance.
• Experience managing and developing staff.
• Track record translating business needs into content-driven solutions.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with peers, alumni, and donors and exercise sound judgment.
• Collaborative, professional team player with a results-oriented mindset and willingness to learn evolving skills and technologies.
• Keen attention to detail and commitment to high-quality, error-free work.
• Knowledge of direct mail best practices, web and interactive media, marketing research, and analytics.
• Prior experience working within development or marketing.
• Knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Office Suite, and HTML.

Responsibilities

• Support the Managing Director in overseeing the strategic direction of direct response marketing channels and requesting signatories, and provide team leadership in the Managing Director’s absence.
• Supervise, develop, train, mentor, and provide backup support for a Development Assistant Specialist, Direct Response Marketing.
• Improve business processes, develop and implement team workflows and project-management frameworks, and document process improvements.
• Translate fundraising strategy into production schedules and audience matrices; manage creative and content timelines, workflows, and approvals.
• Track, analyze, and assess project results and trends to refine strategy and maximize revenue and participation.
• Provide recommendations on audience segmentation, messaging, and campaign optimization using analytics; manage audience strategy, list pulls, and segmentation.
• Build and maintain relationships with production and deployment partners, including the mail house, Email Marketing, and Project Management; keep USPS accounts in good standing.
• Manage campaign projects from planning through coordination, proofing, and deployment, overseeing timelines, dependencies, deliverables, budgets, and quality.
• Translate strategic direction into creative briefs and design recommendations; provide feedback on copy and design, and contribute mockups and creative direction as needed.
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to test and pursue donor and revenue growth opportunities and process improvements.
• Support internal communications that build awareness of direct response marketing and document processes and workflows.
• Work certain events and campus activities, including spring reunions, and participate in on-campus department retreats.

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: Senior