Executive Director, Harvard Gift Planning

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

24d • Hybrid

About The Position

Harvard seeks an innovative and experienced fundraising leader and strategic thinker to lead the gift planning program in University Development. Harvard’s gift planning program has a long history of leadership and expertise and the trusts under management comprise the largest program in the industry. Harvard Gift Planning (HGP) serves as the primary planned giving strategists and front-line fundraisers for eight Schools and several non-school units, while also serving all of Harvard as a resource for policies, procedures, lead generation, industry trends, knowledge capture, marketing coordination, staff training, and convening of peers for discussion of best practices. Reporting to the Senior Executive Director, University Development, the Executive Director, Harvard Gift Planning, will develop, implement, and oversee a proactive planned giving fundraising strategy that continues to create industry best practices and adds value to the fundraising of all of Harvard’s Schools and Units, while providing excellent donor relationship management. The Executive Director will serve as a programmatic leader, team manager, and front-facing fundraiser, serving as a point person for gifts at the principal gifts level. The Executive Director will serve as a collegial partner to the Directors in the Harvard Schools that have planned giving teams and will lead the department’s relationship with School and unit partners to whom the team delivers services, and helping to drive activity for those units.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 15 or more years of experience in planned giving or related field.
• 10 or more years of management experience in a leadership position.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and implement sophisticated fundraising strategies for the successful cultivation and solicitation of major and principal gifts using planned giving techniques.
• Expert knowledge of planned giving instruments in a non-profit setting or financial planning/trust administration.
• Verified success in building and managing a high-performing team.
• Ability to create and drive strategic planning, develop annual team and individual goals and work plans, and monitor performance based on both quantitative and qualitative factors.
• Proven success in leading through change and developing relationships across a complex organization.
• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills, and the ability to effectively engage with all levels of staff, leadership, donors, donors' financial and legal advisors.
• Ability to express concisely and persuasively the mission and priorities of the University to all people of differing temperaments, backgrounds, and philosophies.
• Ability to apply good judgment and discretion when dealing with highly confidential donor and prospect information.
• Computer literacy required must have experience with Windows-based PCs, prospect databases, and videoconferencing platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive plan to grow the University-wide planned giving program, including measurable goals to ensure the identification, engagement, and solicitation of donors and prospects across the university. Plans in the context of a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Oversee an integrated, coordinated, and effective communications, engagement, marketing, and recognition program.
• Convene planned giving professionals university-wide to facilitate discussions of innovations and best practices; assess how innovations in the industry could inform Harvard’s strategy; evaluate new approaches; and make informed decisions. Lead a collaborative approach to the creation and management of university policies related to planned gifts. Create forums to evaluate programmatic innovations, opportunities, and growth.
• Ensure a thorough infrastructure to oversee the health of Harvard’s planned gifts and their impact to the University.
• Oversee the integration of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences gift planning program into HGP, including: restructuring HGP with a portion of the team dedicated to working with FAS alumni and raising gifts in support of FAS priorities; evaluating which processes are duplicative under the new structure and where FAS-specific needs must be maintained; working with key FAS stakeholders to ensure school-based gift planning needs will be met under the new structure.
• Manage a team of 10+ staff members. Recruit, hire, onboard, train, provide timely feedback, and support professional development of the team. Treat all team members and colleagues according to AA&D culture. Optimize and value the contributions, historical knowledge, and expertise of each member of the team.
• Liaise with external trust administration vendor on programmatic aspects in partnership with the Executive Director of the Office of Gift Administration and also in collaboration with the School planned giving directors. Identify and pursue opportunities to strengthen communication and collaboration with key partners across AA&D.
• For Schools without their own in-house planned giving departments, collaborate with School fundraising leadership to set goals and expectations for planned giving fundraising and services to be provided by UDO to the School and report regularly on progress toward goals.
• Manage a small portfolio of prospects to cultivate, solicit and steward. Formulate individualized solicitation strategies for planned giving prospects and provide strategy for prospects in team members’ portfolios. Serve as a point person for gifts at the principal gifts level, particularly complex gifts of non-cash assets that require close interaction with the Office of Gift Administration. In consultation with donors’ advisers, internal partners, and outside counsel, provide donors with legal and tax information regarding bequests and life income gifts. Draft and review gift illustrations, policies and procedures and legal documents as needed in concert with our consultants, advisors, and counsel. Respond to inquiries concerning planned gifts and bequests in a timely manner.
• Effectively partner with AA&D departments that provide services to the planned giving program to meet goals and objectives. Ensure implementation of systems and process throughout AA&D to best leverage existing expertise.
• Maintain internal communication among those involved in driving and supporting planned giving efforts across the University.
• Maintain technical expertise and current knowledge of industry trends and tax laws relevant to planned giving to ensure Harvard is at the leading edge of innovation on planned gifts such as remainder trusts, lead trusts, donor advised funds, charitable gift annuities, bequests, life insurance, IRA QCDs and gifts of complex assets.

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: Executive