Assistant Director of Development, Harvard College Fund, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Harvard University Alumni Affairs and Development, United States

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Cambridge, MASSACHUSETTS
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

This position will be based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic this position will be remote until further notice.
Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) comprises the University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, and the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). There is a unique relationship between the University and the FAS fundraising operations, resulting from a long history in which University fundraising ultimately grew out of College fundraising.
Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development
FAS Development is responsible for the fundraising efforts supporting the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, including Harvard College, the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. FAS Development staff work with Harvard College donors, alumni, parents, and friends who provide critical support for the FAS and often for other parts of the University.
Summary
This full-time exempt position in the Harvard College Fund reports to a Managing Director of Development and is responsible for planning and executing Class Reunion fundraising efforts. The incumbent secures both capital and annual support from alumni with an emphasis on raising unrestricted, current-use funds for the College, in addition to other FAS priorities. They manage a portfolio of Harvard College alumni classes, and work closely with staff and alumni leaders to identify, recruit, and manage diverse and inclusive volunteer committees to maximize dollar and participation results. The Assistant Director is responsible for developing and implementing class-wide fundraising plans and individual prospect strategies. Meets regularly over the course of the year with top donor prospects and volunteer leaders, both in-person and virtually, to qualify, enlist, solicit, and coordinate on volunteer activity. This position requires a command of basic fundraising principles, a high level of organization, professionalism, and a broad familiarity with the objectives of both annual and capital fundraising. Strong written and oral communication skills are mandatory for this role.
  • Manages Harvard College alumni classes in and out of reunion.
  • Responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding top prospects in assigned classes:
    • Determines independently, and with management assistance, solicitation strategies for prospects being targeted for Associates-level ($1,000+) asks.
    • Strategizes with prospect managers on prospects in their portfolio.
    • Conducts leadership-level solicitations.
    • Enlists and manages volunteer leadership.
  • Responsible for planning and managing a reunion gift campaign:
    • Establishes a calendar.
    • Sets goals.
    • Monitors metrics.
    • Reports results.
    • Conducts reunion gift committee meetings and calls.
    • Devises strategic social events.
  • Responsible for the identification, enlistment, management, and stewardship of volunteers:
    • Works with HCF management, FAS Major Gift Officers, FAS and UDO Gift Planning Officers, and FAS and UDO Principal Gift Officers to identify key class leaders.
    • Intentionally guides conversations around diverse and inclusive representation.
    • Collaboratively and independently enlists volunteers, setting clear expectations around roles and responsibilities.
    • Strategically guides volunteer committees and their work in support of FAS and HCF priorities and goals.
    • Makes solicitation assignments.
    • Provides resources to facilitate solicitations.
    • Follows up to close gifts and document pledges.
    • Appropriately stewards volunteers ensuring a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
  • Collaborates with the HCF Management Team, Major Gifts, Gift Planning, Principal Gifts, Harvard Alumni Association (College Alumni Programs), FAS Research and Prospect Management, Alumni & Development Services, Operations, Academic & Development Coordination, Academic & Donor Engagement, volunteers, and donors to further the cause of Harvard engagement and fundraising efforts.
  • Directs work for and mentors a shared, full-time Staff Assistant.
  • Collaborates periodically on special projects with the HCF Management Team and the FAS and UDO fundraising staff broadly to further overall fundraising objectives.
The above covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.
This position requires a 6 month orientation and review period.
Please include a cover letter with your application.
About Harvard University
Harvard University, based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, was established in 1636 and is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The University is home to over 20,000 students and employs 18,000 people, making us the fifth-largest employer in Massachusetts. Harvard is a special place, filled with diverse, energetic, and talented people who are driven to grow and succeed. By working here, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise.
Why AA&D?
We are a dedicated team of 400 alumni affairs and development professionals supporting Harvard's advancement activity through roles that include front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, events, communications, prospect management and research, business process, talent management and many other areas.
Harvard's Alumni Affairs and Development team inspires and galvanizes alumni, friends, and members of the University community to support Harvard through philanthropy, governance, and active engagement. AA&D believes a workplace that reflects the diversity of our society and our ever-evolving University constituency makes us a stronger and more effective organization. Our goal is to create an environment of respect that values the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community, to deliver the strongest possible results by incorporating diverse perspectives into our daily work, and to make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. AA&D strives to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, innovation and sharing of information in our daily interactions and our work.
To learn more about how Harvard supports diversity and inclusion throughout the University please visit the Office for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at https://dib.harvard.edu/ .
Discover AA&D and Harvard University Benefits
  • Opportunities for internal advancement
  • A creative, high- energy, collaborative environment
  • Generous Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Holiday pay
  • Medical, Dental and Vision benefits starting on your first day
  • University-funded retirement plans
  • Tuition Assistance Program
  • Transportation benefits to help with your daily commute
  • Health and wellness discounts, memberships and programs
Additional benefits can be found at https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards .
Accommodations:
Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please let your recruiter know.
Vaccine Requirements:
Harvard will require COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members who will have any on-campus presence. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University's COVID vaccination requirement and exceptions may be found at the University's


  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Minimum 4 years of experience in university fundraising and administration or related transferable experience.
  • Travel expectations required: approximately 20 percent of working days on the road, depending on responsibilities. Some event and weekend work required.
  • Must have experience with Microsoft Windows and databases.

  • Knowledge of academic communities required. Demonstrated success in annual or capital giving or applicable ability, writing fundraising materials, devising sophisticated cultivation and solicitation strategies, and events management. Proven ability to motivate, engage and work with alumni, university officials, faculty, and staff or similar constituencies.
  • Must have definite abilities to evaluate problems accurately and display good, sound and confidential judgment.
  • Must be motivated to learn and flexible to change. Must have ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, manage multiple projects, and handle difficult situations with tact and a sense of humor.
  • Must be highly organized, detail oriented and efficient. Must exhibit great attention to detail and have the ability to produce clear documentation.
  • Excellent public speaking and presentation skills and written communication skills required. Must be creative and proactive yet disciplined, discriminating, and able to streamline work volume to maintain bottom line efforts in midst of multi-tasking and daily re-prioritizing, with managing director's guidance.
  • Must be a professional, confidential, honest, and trustworthy person.
  • Must have an even disposition and be able to deal effectively and politely with people from all types of backgrounds and experience and in all types of difficult situations. Must maintain a professional and caring demeanor and have a strong work ethic.
  • Must be collaborative, conscientious, and results oriented. Must be able to listen as well as to influence and persuade others.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Internal Number: 54969BR

Similar Positions