Philanthropic Advisor

29-Feb-2024

Harvard Business School

65192BR

Job Summary

External Relations (ER) at Harvard Business School (HBS) seeks a seasoned fundraising leader to join the Principal Gifts team as Philanthropic Advisor.

Reporting to the Director of Development, Principal Gifts, and working closely with ER and HBS leadership, the Philanthropic Advisor will manage the cultivation and solicitation efforts involving a portfolio of the School’s highest rated prospects, as well as participating in the planning and implementation of strategic initiatives related to the overall fundraising and engagement goals of Harvard Business School.

This person will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with leaders within Development, across External Relations, and the School (including the Dean, Senior Associate Dean, and faculty) to develop donor-centered fundraising strategies that will help advance HBS’s priorities and mission. In this role, the Philanthropic Advisor will connect with prospects directly in advancing their own portfolio.

Position Description

Responsibilities/Duties of this role:

• Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for a targeted portfolio of top HBS prospects. Build and manage a network of effective relationships (around 100 households) of prospective and existing donors.
• Utilize HBS and University administrators and faculty to deeply engage prospects/donors in the School’s mission and priorities to secure support at 7 and 8 figure level in addition to support for annual giving / HBS Fund.
• Facilitate and coordinate all communication and stewardship with these prospects on behalf of the School.
• Evaluate various gift opportunities and giving vehicles and develop effective and coordinated strategies that maximize the philanthropic potential of prospects and donors.
• Contribute to the identification and refinement of gift opportunities to connect principal gift donors’ interests with School and University priorities.
• Participate (typically in coordination with others) in multi-million-dollar gift solicitations to fund HBS and University priorities.
• Collaborate with the Principal Gift team, Reunion & Leadership Giving team, Gift Opportunities and Moves Management team and many others across ER on prospect activity and cross-Development activities.
• Facilitate interaction with principal gift prospects by the Dean, Senior Associate Dean, Executive Director of External Relations, and faculty.
• International travel will be expected to advance prospect assignments commensurate with HBS/ER standard expectations for fundraising activity.
• Serve as a role model within the organization for fundraising expertise and guidance, professionalism, collegiality, and integrity.
• Keep abreast of the intellectual and programmatic content of the School.
• Must be able to consistently exercise diplomacy and discretion.
• Demonstrate a personal commitment to excellence, as well as an ability to admit mistakes and forgive faults in others.
• Perform additional activities and duties as requested.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 10 + years of experience in fundraising or a related area, preferably in higher education
• Experience soliciting principal gifts; credibility as a successful high-level fundraiser with a track record of personally identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal gifts (7 figure+).

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Results-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, adapts easily to change, and has strong judgment.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating productive, collaborative relationships with faculty, board members, alumni, students, and/or staff within a complex organization.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers, colleagues and high-level HBS administrators.
• Experience working internationally in a fundraising capacity.
• Self-motivated and innovative, with the ability to work with considerable independence within the context of a team environment and a network of relationships.
• Superior written and oral communication, negotiating, organizational, analytical and fundraising skills.
• Possesses a natural affinity for collaboration, leading through influence, and a high level of emotional intelligence.
• Must be drawn to a challenge and exhibit patience in advancing solutions across a complex and highly matrixed organization.
• Familiarity with financial planning, tax and charitable gift laws and planned giving vehicles and methods a plus.
• Knowledge of university governance and academic administrative and financial policies and guidelines.

Additional Information

This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where you are required to be onsite at our Boston, MA based campus 2 days per week. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.

A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Harvard Business School will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Culture of Inclusion: The work and well-being of HBS is profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. Explore more about HBS work culture here https://www.hbs.edu/employment .

About Us

Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School (www.hbs.edu ) is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. The School offers two full-time MBA and PhD programs, more than 175 Executive Education programs, and certificates and courses through Harvard Business School Online. For more than a century, Harvard Business School faculty have drawn on their research, connection to practice, global expertise, and passion for teaching to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. The School and its curriculum attract the boldest thinkers and the most collaborative learners who will shape the practice of business and entrepreneurship around the globe.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Alumni Affairs and Development

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

303060 Development Sr Specialist

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

External Relations

Annual Salary Range

$190,000-$205,000, commiserate with experience

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

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, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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