Assistant Director of Development, Fundraiser Support Management

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plans with university f und

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Campus perks

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking an Assistant Director to oversee a cohort of FAS Development Support Staff, ensuring frontline fundraisers receive top-tier support while maintaining an equitable, positive work environment.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Development, Fundraiser Support Management, the role includes goal setting, performance reviews, onboarding, scheduling, and strategic staffing aligned with fundraising priorities.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of related administrative experience.
• Experience in project/relationship management.
• Must work onsite in the Cambridge, MA office on assigned days weekly and may be asked to attend additional meetings.
• Willingness to participate in events and department retreats in Cambridge, MA.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management of development assistants, including recruitment, onboarding, workload, and tools.
• Own the annual performance management cycle for the cohort with coaching and evaluations.
• Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins to discuss workload, training, and satisfaction.
• Collaborate with frontline officers to assess support effectiveness and adjust priorities.
• Oversee staffing and projects for the development assistant cohort to ensure quality support.
• Partner with HR and leadership on performance, employee relations, compensation and policy.
• Plan and run monthly cohort meetings to share topics and guest speakers.
• Assign special projects and drive process improvements.

Skills

Staff supervision

Project management

Relationship management

Communication skills

Policy interpretation

Discretion

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

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 Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, Advancement Communications, Events & Donor Relations (ACEDR), University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and Office of Talent, Administration and Policy (OTAP).

Job Description

Job Summary

The Assistant Director oversees a cohort of FAS Development Support Staff (grades 53–54), ensuring frontline officers receive top-tier support and that support staff experience an equitable, positive work environment.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Development, Fundraiser Support Management, the Assistant Director helps build a cohesive management structure for all frontline development assistants, including goal and performance management, workflow oversight, learning and development, coverage planning, and hiring and onboarding.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Lead the day to day management of a cohort of development assistants, including recruitment and hiring, onboarding, workload and schedule oversight, and ensuring they have the tools, processes, and information needed to support frontline fundraisers effectively.
• Own the full year performance management cycle for the assigned cohort, in consultation with frontline officers and the Senior Associate Director of Development, Fundraiser Support Management, including setting expectations, providing ongoing feedback, and delivering formal evaluations.
• Conduct regular one on one check ins with each development assistant to review workload, training needs, position satisfaction, and performance, and to address questions or concerns in a timely, supportive manner.
• Partner with frontline officers to assess the effectiveness of support, gather feedback on development assistant performance, and adjust responsibilities or priorities to align with evolving fundraising needs.
• Oversee long term and interim staffing and project assignments for the development assistant cohort, balancing coverage and workload to ensure consistent, high quality support for all assigned fundraising teams.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and the Senior Associate Director of Development, Fundraiser Support Management on performance concerns, employee relations matters, compensation topics, and policy interpretation to ensure fair, consistent, and compliant people practices.
• Help coordinate a cohesive approach to Group Leader management and engagement across both FAS Group Leader cohorts (Harvard College Fund and Donor Development), in partnership with the Senior Associate Director and peer Assistant Director, to ensure consistent standards, communication, and support.
• Work closely with Talent Management, the Senior Associate Director, and frontline leaders to identify skills gaps and professional growth opportunities, and to design and implement onboarding, training, and development plans that support both immediate job success and longer term career progression.
• Co plan and execute monthly development assistant cohort meetings with the Senior Associate Director and peer Assistant Director, including identifying themes, scheduling guest speakers, and curating content that enhances frontline support capabilities.
• Assign and oversee special projects and process improvement initiatives for development assistants, encouraging innovation and collaboration to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of fundraising operations.
• May supervise additional development assistants or assume expanded responsibilities as organizational structure, fundraising priorities, or staffing needs evolve.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• 4+ years of related administrative experience
• Previous experience in project/relationship management
• Required to work onsite in the Cambridge, MA office on assigned days weekly and may be asked to also come in for additional meetings outside of the assigned days.
• You will be expected to work certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each Spring, and participate in department retreats that take place on campus in Cambridge, MA.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Prior experience supervising staff, including coaching, providing feedback, and managing day to day workload and priorities; management experience within a development or similarly complex environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and support staff sensitively through periods of change and ambiguity, using sound judgment and creative problem solving to navigate evolving priorities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and confidently in group settings and to tailor messages to different audiences.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively across departments and levels of the organization, exercising tact, discretion, and diplomacy.
• Skilled in handling sensitive and confidential information and situations with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to align diverse stakeholders around shared goals and solutions.
• Proven initiative and follow through, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast paced, evolving environment.
• Solid knowledge of office operations and comfort with modern office and collaboration technologies (e.g., office productivity tools, databases/CRMs, and communication platforms).

Additional Information

Please include a cover letter as a part of your application to help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.

• Orientation and Review Period:3 months
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information:Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening:Identity, Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. 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
• Support for families and caregivers
• 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.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law and identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.