Harvard University

Harvard University

Director, Principal & Major Gifts

Cambridge, MA, United States · Director

No sponsorship$75k-$100kDetected 2 days 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.

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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.

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About the role

  • The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) has a demonstrated track record of training the world's leaders and public servants.
  • The office of Alumni Relations & Resource Development (ARRD) at HKS seeks an experienced, ambitious and mission-driven Director, Principal & Major Gifts.
  • The Director, Principal & Major Gifts is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of principal and major gift prospects at various stages of their relationship with the Harvard Kennedy School.

Responsibilities

  • Manages a portfolio of 75-100 principal and major gifts prospects and donors.
  • Develops appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to consistently deepen engagement of entire portfolio and grow philanthropic revenue aligned with School and Center priorities.
  • Qualifies, progresses, and cultivates newly identified prospects, and actively identifies and works with volunteers to tap into new networks of support.
  • Partners closely with faculty and administrators at School-based research centers to provide guidance on and help implement fundraising strategy, recruit donors and board members, and raise funds for the center or program.
  • Develops subject matter expertise and persuasive visions for areas staffed, and educates and informs ARRD colleagues to maximize revenue to those areas.
  • Partners with ARRD teams as appropriate, including Engagement, Development Communications, Alumni Relations, Pipeline & Operations, and Development Administration to maximize engagement of prospects, including planning around trips.
  • Manages a shared staff assistant and may manage Assistant or Associate Directors of Development.
  • Support for families and caregivers

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Demonstrated track record in cultivating, soliciting and closing six-and seven-figure gifts in a complex environment.

Nice to have

  • Demonstrated track record of cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals, volunteers, and diverse international donors.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in a metrics-driven environment
  • comfort with data-driven decision-making and fundraising metrics.

Skills

  • High degree of political savvy and cultural sensitivity in navigating complex donor relationships.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills, including pipeline and portfolio management.
  • Experience in a metrics-driven environment; comfort with data-driven decision-making and fundraising metrics.
  • Knowledge of industry best practices in philanthropy and fundraising.
  • Familiarity with donor databases (e.g., Advance, Salesforce, or similar CRM).
  • Ability to work nights and weekends and to travel as required.
  • Additional Information
  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal
  • Other information: This is a Cambridge based position with expectations to be on campus 2-3 days/week.
  • Work Format Details
  • The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs.

Compensation

  • Achieves monthly visit and annual solicitation and revenue goals.
  • Develops annual operating plan for own fundraising in partnership with the Executive Director, Principal and Major Gifts, and Senior Associate Dean, ARRD.

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 seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives.

Equal opportunity

  • Performs other responsibilities upon request, as needed, with or without accommodation.
  • 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
  • Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location.
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This listing is sourced directly from Harvard University's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.