Harvard University

Harvard University

Development Assistant Specialist, Major Gifts

Cambridge, MA, United States · Full-time

No sponsorshipDetected 17 hours ago
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odds of building a lasting career here

88Lottery-free
Cap-exempt (no lottery)100
Sponsors year-round90
Entry-level history60
PERM / green-card track50
Fits your clock70

Files H-1B any time — no cap, no lottery. The 2026 weighted-selection rule doesn't touch it, which makes this the strongest structural path for entry-level talent. Pay is often lower, but your odds of staying are dramatically higher.

Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.

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About the role

  • The Development Assistant Specialist is an integral member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) development team.
  • Managing tasks, workflow, and projects to help meet competing deadlines.
  • Scheduling meetings, anticipating and resolving conflicts, and proactively reviewing calendars so key deadlines are met.

Responsibilities

  • Support all aspects of the prospect management process for assigned fundraisers, including (but not limited to):
  • Support the Regional Lead fundraiser's strategy by:
  • Support for families and caregivers

Requirements

  • 1-2 years of related administrative office experience.
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office.
  • Experience and comfort with running reports and data management.

Nice to have

  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • excellent phone manner and personal presentation.
  • Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on a team.
  • Experience interacting with corporate executives and senior level staff preferred.
  • Comfortable speaking in group settings.

Skills

  • Capability of proactive and self-directed management of day to day work.
  • Must be highly organized, detailed oriented and can work competently and efficiently in a multi-task environment.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, including strong knowledge of English grammar, spelling and punctuation.
  • Ability to accurately proofread and edit correspondence.
  • Strong interpersonal skills; excellent phone manner and personal presentation.
  • Ability to work under pressure, understand and follow policies and procedures, and accommodate change.
  • Experience interacting with corporate executives and senior level staff preferred. Comfortable speaking in group settings.
  • Orientation and Review Period: 3 months
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
  • Work Format Details

Benefits

  • Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
  • Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

Company info

  • We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
  • 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.
  • Please include a cover letter as a part of your application to help us better understand your qualifications and background.
  • We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives.

Equal opportunity

  • EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
  • equal opportunity and non-discrimination.

Visa & Work Authorization

  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

This listing is sourced directly from Harvard University's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.