Senior Donor Relations Writer

18-Apr-2024

Alumni Affairs and Development

65275BR

Job Summary

Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D)
Alumni Affairs and Development is a dedicated team supporting Harvard’s advancement activity through front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, prospect management and research, business process, events, communications, and many other areas.

Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees; 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. We strive to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation; and open communication and effective information sharing in our daily interactions and our work.

AA&D is comprised of the University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

The Time-Limited (with an end date of 6/30/2025) Senior Donor Relations Writer works in close coordination with existing senior donor relations writer to oversee development correspondence for the University’s president and provost. Liaises with fundraisers, colleagues in the Office of the President and Provost, and other University officials to research and craft customized, high-level communications from Harvard’s leadership to the University’s most generous donors. In addition, manages incoming and outgoing development email for the president and contributes to short- and long-term stewardship strategies for donors. Correspondence includes meeting follow up, emails, special invitations, gift acknowledgments, and cover letters. May include researching and drafting narrative reports as time allows. Attends development strategy meetings. Proofreads and copyedits correspondence written by teammates and serves as a resource for all correspondence matters within University Donor Relations and Engagement (UDRE). Ensures accurate record keeping and donor relations files. 

Position Description

• Manages process for all ad hoc development correspondence from the president and provost. Works quickly and decisively to draft, revise, and produce timely letters, emails, and other development correspondence.
• Helps determine strategy for meeting follow up and ad hoc correspondence. Consults with gift officers and colleagues in Alumni Affairs & Development (AA&D) as well as writers within the Office of the President and Provost to coordinate communications.
• Drafts personalized presidential gift acknowledgments for a portfolio of top-level donors. Researches donor records, analyzes gifts, and performs thorough reviews of terms of gift and donor’s University relationships using Advance and other internal and external resources.
• Maintains departmental standards for quality, accuracy, and on-time delivery of all departmental communication by following UDRE’s editorial policies and procedures and demonstrating proactivity and persistence when necessary.
• Reviews and copyedits correspondence written by colleagues in UDRE.
• Serves as a consultant to other writers, drafting in the voice of the president or provost. Becomes expert on the style and voice of president and contributes to UDRE efforts to ensure smooth transitions in leadership.
• Ensures that all letters delivered by AA&D to the president and provost for signing are error-free and that content, grammar, and style conform to departmental standards and gift accuracy.
• Monitors presidential email accounts and manages process, from drafting through approval and mailing, of alumni and donor emails from the president, identifying and working with appropriate gift officers and staff. Facilitates distribution of incoming and outgoing correspondence with the appropriate members of AA&D. Closely tracks incoming and outgoing correspondence to make sure responses are timely and appropriate. May be called upon to do the same for the provost.
• Coordinates data flow with teammates and communicates regularly with other correspondence writers within the Office of the President to increase productivity and eliminate duplication.
• When broadcast messages are sent by president, leads process to gather and triage replies, develop response plan, record emails, and draft responses.
• Attends regular meetings of UDRE, the presidential correspondence team, the University Development Planning office, and staff meetings within AA&D as required.
• Helps to create new language for gift acknowledgment writers to reflect changes in fundraising objectives and respond to high-profile issues.
• Works closely with staff assistant to keep accurate incoming and outgoing correspondence records in Advance database. Updates donors’ addresses, salutations, and notes as necessary.
• Takes on additional writing and research assignments to assist colleagues in the department during busy times.
• 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.

Basic Qualifications

• 4 years of professional experience (or equivalent), preferably in development or higher education administration, or in constituent services.

• Graduate of accredited four-year college with a degree in journalism, communications, or related discipline.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Exceptional writing skills, ability to write in another person’s voice, and in-depth understanding of English grammar and usage. Must be detail oriented and an accurate proofreader with experience giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Analytic and research skills to gather and determine essential data from a variety of written and individual sources.
• Solid computer skills in a PC environment with the capability to master new software applications and technologies in database management. Excellent word processing and accurate keyboarding skills required. 
• Ability to handle confidential materials with a high level of discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully under pressure, understand and follow policies and procedures, and process feedback into revisions.
• Proven ability to work independently as well in coordination with the work of teammates. Must be able to complete assignments with a minimum amount of supervision. 
• Must be willing to work extra hours during peak periods, which may include occasional evenings and weekends. 

Additional Information

• This position is time-limited with an end date of 6/30/2025
• It requires a 3 month orientation and review period.
• Please include a cover letter with your application.

To learn more about the AA&D team, please visit our Careers site at 

https://alumni.harvard.edu/careers

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/ .

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.

COVID 19 Vaccination Information: The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University.  With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Work Format Details

This position is eligible for 100% remote work. Employees may work from any of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

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, Communications

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

405004 Comm Professional (N)

Department

Alumni Affairs and Development

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Appointment End Date

30-Jun-2025

Pre-Employment Screening

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.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

#LI-JP1