Director of Development Strategy

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

14h • Hybrid

About The Position

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a large organization supporting the university's excellence through high-quality services. The Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) team within CADM focuses on fundraising, alumni engagement, technology, and more, aiming to create a respectful and inclusive environment. AA&D is comprised of several departments including Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, Advancement Communications, Events & Donor Relations (ACEDR), University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and Office of Talent, Administration and Policy (OTAP).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required and minimum of 10 years related experience required.
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel as necessary for donor and colleague meetings and events.
• You will be expected to work certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each Spring, and participate in department retreats that are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA.
• Experience working with prospect strategy and in a fundraising environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully under pressure, understand and follow policies and procedures, and accommodate change.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on a team.
• Must be able to complete assignments independently and with a minimum amount of supervision.
• Must be able to collaborate with a range of diverse stakeholders and lead and manage key organizational processes and activities with confidence and good judgement.
• Strong operational skills that demonstrate professionalism, organization, strong time management, managing and measuring work, managing work processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; must be detail oriented.
• Evidence of the analytic and research skills to gather and determine essential data from a variety of written and individual sources.
• Good judgment and discretion to represent the Alumni Affairs and Development constituencies in a highly professional manner.
• Ability to handle confidential materials with discretion.
• Collaborative and diplomatic – able to advance projects and work outside of their direct authority by building and maintaining strong internal relationships.
• Solid computer skills in a PC environment with the capability to master new software applications and technologies in database management.

Responsibilities

• Develop familiarity with the backgrounds and strategies for each of the University’s top prospects and donors.
• Manage the development and tracking of University top prospect lists, contributing to the creation of pipelines for senior leadership meetings and travel and liaising with fundraising partners across AA&D and the Schools.
• Provide strategic oversight of University Development’s $10M+ solicitation portfolio, including the coordination and advancement of complex solicitations requiring Gift Policy Committee review; ensure the integrity and quality of materials and equip the AVP of UDAS with the analysis, recommendations, and preparation needed for effective decision-making and committee engagement.
• Direct logistics for forums to develop and share plans for the University’s top prospects, including pipeline reviews and top prospect strategy discussions. Oversee communications and meeting materials and track on next steps and deliverables.
• Provide strategic leadership and cross-functional integration for Presidential and Provostial development activity, partnering across Advancement Communications, Events and Donor Relations, University Development, Philanthropic Partnerships, and the VPAAD Office to align priorities and ensure seamless execution of leadership-level communications and announcements, travel and meeting pipelines, and internal strategy and planning meetings.
• Manage the identification, recruitment, and management of membership of presidential committees, including soliciting input from Schools.
• Oversee University Development’s annual event request process. Support the execution of select special events with the President’s and Provost’s involvement, partnering with University Development colleagues to develop event strategy, collaborate with schools, create seating plans, and contribute to briefing content.
• With University Development and Prospect Management, have responsibility for driving the work described above in ways that ensure alignment with the broader policy systems, and data considerations and activities related to university-wide prospect coordination and management.
• Manage and supervise the Assistant Director, Development Strategy, providing mentoring, training, and performance management reviews.
• May take on other direct reports or assignments, as needed.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health 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: Director