Harvard University

Harvard University

Director of Development, Major Gifts, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Cambridge, MA, United States · Director · Full-time

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 7 days ago
SpringResearchLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationMentoring

About the role

  • As a member of the Major Gifts leadership team, the Director will be responsible for determining overall strategy for the region along with internal and external execution of an engagement plan.
  • This position informs decision making and is responsible for carrying out policies and strategies, and modeling best practices as a leader, fundraiser, and colleague.
  • The Director's experience and knowledge will be critical in expanding the ability of fundraisers to form creative strategy development as they combine the FAS' priority needs with donor interests and desire to make an impact.

Responsibilities

  • Execution of meeting series to convene fundraisers and key organizational partners.
  • Focus on strategy for top prospects in the region and serve as decision maker in developing prospect pipelines for travel, engagement plan for leadership and faculty, and ensuring solicitation plan.
  • Communicate and strategize regularly with key partners including Principal Gifts, Programs and Events, Priorities and Proposals, Stewardship and Donor Engagement, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and the Harvard College Fund to ensure collaboration that leads to results.
  • As such, communicate and present effectively and intentionally with the Principal Gift partner and across the organization.
  • Collaborate with colleagues in Research and Prospect Management to determine appropriate portfolios for direct reports and appropriate prospect transitions between Leadership Giving and Major Gifts.
  • Develop efforts and supporting activities that focus on prospect strategy development across the Major Gifts team and the AA&D in consultation with the Senior Executive Director and in partnership with the Major Gifts leadership team, FAS Management team, Leadership and Principal Gift officers, and the Harvard College Fund officers.
  • Provide encouragement, support, and motivation with a focus on consistent and constructive feedback.
  • Manage a small portfolio of prospects. Travel expectations require approximately 10% of time spent on the road, not including preparation for, execution of, or follow-up on, external visits.
  • Recruit, hire, onboard, train, and manage a team of Major Giving officers responsible for securing gifts in the assigned region.

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree is required.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in development or related transferable skills.
  • Previous management of frontline fundraisers required.
  • Must demonstrate the ability to focus on management and administrative functions, such as coaching and mentoring professional staff, hiring and evaluating staff, and managing basic office functions.
  • Must be confidential, honest, and trustworthy person and possess ability to gain stakeholder buy in.
  • 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 or challenging situations.

Nice to have

  • Strong ability to quickly earn trust from staff members and prospects.
  • Must have demonstrated experience engaging prospects in thoughtful, personal conversations with tact and diplomacy.
  • Requires attention to detail, poise, and diplomacy given interaction with senior administration members and senior faculty
  • superb written and oral communication skills
  • and the ability to multi-task without losing focus on both short- and long-term goals.
  • Computer literacy required along with experience with Windows and databases.
  • Advanced knowledge of fundraising strategies and techniques preferred
  • experience managing a prospect pool and a proven record of moving prospects strategically through stages of identification, cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship.

Skills

  • Must be mission-driven, intellectually curious, and have a demonstrated ability to work well with others in a collaborative manner.
  • Experience briefing and staffing high-level academic or other leaders in prospect meetings.
  • This can provi
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Compensation

  • In consultation with the Senior Executive Director, create, socialize, and finalize annual strategic plan for the assigned region. This includes:
  • Mentor, counsel, and motivate the staff to set annual goals and raise aspirational philanthropic support in a professional, ethical, and mission-informed manner.
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This listing is sourced directly from Harvard University's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.