Managing Director of Gift Planning

Harvard University • Boston, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Managing Director of Gift Planning provides strategic leadership for a comprehensive gift planning program at Harvard Medical School (HMS). The Managing Director is the School’s lead expert on planned giving, manages fundraising and administrative staff, and works collaboratively across HMS and the University to secure deferred, complex, and blended gifts in support of HMS’s mission to alleviate suffering and improve health and well-being for all.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible development experience, including significant experience with planned giving and/or complex philanthropic gifts.
• Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of prospects and closing major and/or planned gifts.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing sophisticated fundraising strategies to cultivate, solicit, and secure major and principal gifts through planned giving techniques.
• Expert knowledge of planned giving vehicles, charitable tax law, estate planning principles, and trust administration in a nonprofit or financial services setting; ability to explain complex concepts clearly to donors, non-experts, estate attorneys, financial advisors, and other professional partners.
• Proven ability to identify, qualify, cultivate, and engage high-net-worth individuals within and beyond the Harvard community, using an entrepreneurial and proactive approach to relationship development.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with demonstrated success preparing and presenting compelling proposals to donors and prospects.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple initiatives, and use data and performance metrics to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, and integrity in handling confidential information and working with prospects, donors, volunteers, and HMS staff.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with individuals at all levels—including faculty, senior administrators, and diverse stakeholders—in a complex organizational environment.
• Proven success in building trust across constituencies while exercising sound judgment, working independently, and managing priorities in a fast-paced setting.
• Willingness and ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Strong knowledge of gift planning vehicles, charitable tax law, and estate planning concepts, with the ability to communicate these clearly to donors and non-experts.
• Proven ability to work effectively with high-level donors, volunteer leaders, faculty, and senior administrators in a complex organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; demonstrated success preparing and presenting proposals.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills; comfort using data and metrics to inform decisions.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and integrity in handling confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall management and strategic direction of the HMS Gift Planning program, ensuring alignment with School and University fundraising priorities.
• Develop and implement annual and multi-year plans with clear qualitative and quantitative goals for the program.
• Monitor progress, analyze results, and adjust strategies based on data and evolving opportunities.
• Serve as a key member of AAD’s Office Management Group (OMG). Work with fellow OMG members to integrate office-wide operating plans to create departmental fundraising and engagement goals, identify and help to address emerging issues affecting AAD.
• Forecast and maintain Gift Planning team annual budgets.
• Supervise and mentor two direct reports, including goal-setting, performance management, and professional development.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the Gift Planning team and across AAD.
• Partner closely with Principal and Major Gifts, Annual and Leadership Giving, and other units to integrate gift planning into broader fundraising and engagement strategies.
• Oversee management and growth of the HMS planned giving prospect pool of alumni, friends, and other key constituents.
• Assign prospects to gift planning team members and other AAD colleagues as appropriate; conduct regular portfolio and pipeline reviews.
• Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 80+ prospects.
• Design and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for planned, blended, and outright gifts; prepare proposals and related materials in coordination with School and University partners.
• In collaboration with the Development Communications team, direct a comprehensive marketing program to educate, cultivate, and steward current and prospective planned giving donors.
• Incorporate best practices and emerging trends in planned giving marketing to enhance HMS’s visibility and results.
• Lead strategy and programming for the Ezekiel Hersey Council, HMS’s life income and legacy society, with a focus on retentions, growth, engagement, and additional giving.
• Serve as a primary resource on gift planning vehicles and concepts for development colleagues, faculty, and volunteer leaders; provide training and guidance as needed.
• In partnership with Harvard University Gift Planning and Harvard Office of Gift Administration, assist with tracking, administration, and processing of estate settlements, bequests, trusts, and other planned giving vehicles.
• Ensure compliance with University policies and relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate prospect, proposal, and gift information in the development database.
• Represent HMS at internal and external events; travel to meet with donors and prospects as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as required.

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: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree