Harvard University

Harvard University

Development Assistant, Principal Gifts

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

No sponsorshipDetected 10 hours ago
SpringCustomer SupportResearchCommunicationCollaborationWritingOrganizational SkillsMicrosoft Office

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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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Employer immigration record

from this employer's Department of Labor filings

Green-card filing pattern in this occupation

Context, not a finding about this posting: of this employer's 15 green-card filings in this occupation, 93% were for a worker who already held the job.

States it is exempt from the H-1B cap

In 9 Department of Labor filings, this employer states it is an institution of higher education — one of the statutory grounds for exemption from the H-1B cap. Cap-exempt employers can file year-round without entering the lottery.Employer's own attestation on a Department of Labor wage determination, not a USCIS determination — exemption is decided per petition.

Files H-1B transfers

11 transfer filings in the last year, covering 11 workers. Median labor-condition decision: 7 days. An employer that already files transfers is one that can take over an existing H-1B.

Sourced from Department of Labor LCA, PERM and prevailing-wage disclosure data. Employer matching is by name, so figures may be split across an employer's legal entities. Absence of a filing means none appears in our copy of the data, not that none exists.

Community outcomes

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About the role

  • The Development Assistant is an integral member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) development team.
  • Enters data in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Produces reports and lists using the Advance and Qlikview databases.

Responsibilities

  • Provides support to all aspects of fundraisers' prospect management, including data gathering, input and maintenance; drafting prospect outreach, memos, correspondence, and reports.
  • Develops and prepares necessary meeting and solicitation materials prior to prospect meetings and supports post-meeting action items.
  • Partners with gift officers and Development Coordinators to write high quality event briefings, event bios, and donor briefings.
  • Maintains various reports to ensure accurate and current information on gift and donor totals, solicitation status, and prospects. Produces reports and lists using the Advance and Qlikview databases.
  • Coordinates officers' travel and expense reports in a timely manner; schedules meetings and maintains calendars; takes and distributes meeting notes and performs other administrative responsibilities as needed.
  • May be asked to provide additional support for the broader Major Gifts team and FAS Development during times of peak activity or staff transition. Works closely with other members of the support team to advance the goals of the department.
  • Support for families and caregivers

Requirements

  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
  • Achieves proficiency in the alumni/donor database to research prospects, organize data and produce reports.
  • Provides other job-related duties as required.

Nice to have

  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, understand and follow policies and procedures, and accommodate change.
  • Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
  • The position requires good judgement, rigorous attention to detail, and the ability to handle sensitive/confidential information with discretion.
  • Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
  • Requires the ability to accurately proofread and edit correspondence.
  • Strong interpersonal skills that include excellent phone manner and personal presentation.
  • Experience interacting with corporate executives and senior-level staff preferred.
  • Knowledge of fundraising in a non-profit setting helpful.

Skills

  • College degree from an accredited institution strongly preferred.
  • Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work competently and efficiently in a multi-task environment.
  • Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Requires the ability to accurately proofread and edit correspondence.
  • 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
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This listing is sourced directly from Harvard University's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.