Senior Director, Principal Gifts
17-Sep-2024
Senior Director, Principal Gifts
Alumni Affairs and Development
66906BR
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).
As a principal gifts frontline fundraiser in the University Development Office (UDO), the Senior Director plays a leadership role in shaping Harvard’s engagement with individual principal gifts donors and prospects who have the potential to make 8- and 9-figure gifts to the University.
The position reports to the Executive Director, Principal Gifts, and serves as a senior fundraiser for the University. The role can be hybrid (with an expectation of regular required presence on the Cambridge campus to execute core job-specific responsibilities) and will carry a portfolio focused on University principal gifts prospects in multiple regions, primarily in the United States.
Fundraising activity will advance University priorities, which include School-based priorities as well as central and University-wide priorities as defined by the President and Provost. The Senior Director will work in close coordination with senior academic and development leaders, and fundraisers at all Harvard Schools, with the most frequent collaboration with fundraisers within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and Harvard Business School (HBS). As a member of the UDO Principal Gifts team, the Senior Director may, in some instances, also be called upon to play a fundraising advising role, partnering with School fundraisers as part of a team developing and advancing strategies.
The ideal candidate has a sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles and practices, an understanding of different cultures and philanthropic environments. Additionally, the Senior Director will exhibit a strong executive presence, including an ability to inspire confidence and trust in others, form strong relationships within the University and externally, and leverage volunteer leadership in advancing donor relationships and gift discussions. The candidate will also demonstrate an intellectual curiosity about the work of the University, an ability to translate a broad range of academic areas into inspiring visions for donors, and a high level of adaptability and flexibility as needs and priorities change.
The Senior Director will manage a principal gifts portfolio of around 50 active prospects, donors, and volunteer leaders, and will expand the portfolio by identifying and engaging new prospects with the capacity of giving $25 million or more.
Position Description
- Manage a portfolio of prospects with the capacity to give $25 million or more with the goal of securing gifts of 8 to 9 figures. Build professional relationships with prospects or their philanthropic representatives and facilitate a network of relationships between prospects and university leaders. Match interests with institutional needs and opportunities; and work to focus on raising the highest quality dollars that directly impact the teaching, research, and education mission. Work closely with fundraisers and fundraising service teams across Harvard to develop and implement engagement strategies, conceptualize gift opportunities, develop gift proposals, and produce timely and meaningful stewardship. Meet expectations for moves management and other metrics as defined by the Executive Director, Principal Gifts.
- Serve as an active member of the group of University-wide principal gifts fundraisers and adhere to Harvard’s principles and best practices for listening to our donors, matching donor interests with core academic priorities, and operating with transparency and collegiality. The Senior Director, as a member of the UDO team, will add value not only by personally engaging potential donors and/or their representatives, but also by advising colleagues on strategies, and by serving as a member of a team where another fundraiser is driving the strategy. For this reason, the Senior Director must exhibit the ability to work collaboratively with team goals in mind.
- As a member of UDO, strives to meet departmental and University goals for fundraising, as part of a fundraising team that includes UDO international, initiatives, and planned giving.
- Stays abreast of content that relates to academic and programmatic priorities across the University, particularly those of interest to the prospects in the principal gifts portfolio, and overall University news.
- Travel as needed to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors. May involve international travel depending on prospect assignments.
- Plan, staff, and brief senior academic administrators and faculty for substantive, strategic prospect/donor visits and events. Inform and participate in these activities when serving as a partner to another fundraiser.
- Collaborate with colleagues on the resources teams to develop impactful events, strategic communications, and meaningful stewardship needed to advance principal gifts.
- Work with volunteer leaders to advance prospect and donor activity.
- Represent UDO and Harvard with professionalism, collegiality, expertise, service, and grace. Exhibit Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) values, such as transparency, honesty, integrity, and inclusion, in all dealings.
- The above covers the most significant responsibilities of this position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required.
- The ideal candidate has a minimum of 12 years of experience as a seasoned fundraising professional with proven experience engaging high-net-worth individuals and a successful track record of developing strategies for multimillion-dollar, complex solicitations and raising principal-level gifts.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- Due to frequent interaction with senior administrators and faculty and donors, the Senior Director must possess excellent communication skills, the ability to process and maintain confidential information, and ably lead others in moving prospect strategy forward. In addition, the ideal candidate will be intellectually curious and eager to learn about, and engage with, new academic content both within established programs and emerging initiatives. The Senior Director will have the ability to represent University and School priorities with a degree of depth and sophistication needed for a savvy and highly engaged donor base.
- The Senior Director will demonstrate professionalism, collegiality, self-motivation, and organization.
Additional Information
- This position requires a 6 month orientation and review period.
- Please include a cover letter with your application.
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 is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one 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
Department Office Location
USA - MA - Cambridge
Job Code
303061 Development Sr Specialist
Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Sub-Unit
------------
Salary Grade
061
Department
Alumni Affairs and Development
Union
00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
Time Status
Full-time
Pre-Employment Screening
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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