Assistant Director of Development, Harvard College Fund, Reunion Campaigns

Harvarduniversity; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard College Fund seeks a full-time exempt Development Officer to plan and execute class reunion fundraising for one reunion class per year, typically spanning anniversaries from the 5th to the 50th. The role partners with staff and alumni leaders to run volunteer committees and maximize gifts and participation.

Responsibilities include identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding top prospects (Associates-level $1,000+), planning reunion campaigns, tracking metrics, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in university fundraising or related field.
• Travel 15–20% of working days; some events/weekends.
• Onsite work in Cambridge, MA office on assigned days.
• Experience with Microsoft Windows and databases.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage class reunion fundraising for one class per year (5th to 50th annivers).
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward top prospects (Associates-level $1,000+).
• Strategize with prospect managers and lead volunteer committees.
• Plan reunion gift campaigns, set goals, monitor metrics, and report results.
• Travel occasionally to survey, solicit, and coordinate top donor prospects.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Volunteer management

Event planning

Project management

Communications

Prospect strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Windows

Databases

Job description

This full-time exempt position in the Harvard College Fund reports to a Managing Director of Development, Reunions and is responsible for planning and executing class reunion fundraising efforts for one reunion class per year (varying between the 5th and 50th), working closely with staff and alumni leaders to manage volunteer committees to maximize dollar and participation results. S/he secures both capital and annual support from alumni with an emphasis on support for the College, but also for other FAS and University priorities. The class officer is responsible for developing and implementing class-wide fundraising plans and individual prospect strategies. Travels occasionally over the course of the year to survey, solicit, and coordinate top donor prospects and volunteer leaders. This position requires a command of basic fundraising principles, a high level of organization, professionalism, and a broad familiarity with the objectives of volunteer management, and annual, capital, and planned giving fundraising. Strong written and oral communication skills are mandatory for this role.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Manages Harvard College alumni classes in and out of reunion.
• Responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding top prospects in assigned classes: Determines independently, and with management assistance, solicitation strategies for prospects being targeted for Associates-level ($1,000+) asks.
• Strategizes with prospect managers on prospects in their portfolio.
• Solicits leadership- and associates-level gifts.
• Enlists and manages volunteer leadership.
• Responsible for planning and managing a reunion gift campaign: Establishes a calendar.
• Sets goals.
• Monitors metrics.
• Reports results.
• Conducts reunion gift committee meetings and calls.
• Devises strategic social events.
• Responsible for the identification, enlistment, management, and stewardship of volunteers: Works with HCF management, FAS Major Gift Officers, FAS and UDO Gift Planning Officers, and FAS and UDO Principal Gift Officers to identify key class leaders.
• Intentionally guides conversations around diverse and inclusive representation.
• Collaboratively and independently enlists volunteers, setting clear expectations around roles and responsibilities.
• Strategically guides volunteer committees and their work in support of FAS and HCF priorities and goals.
• Makes solicitation assignments.
• Provides resources to facilitate solicitations.
• Follows up to close gifts and document pledges.
• Appropriately stewards volunteers ensuring a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
• Collaborates with the HCF Management Team, Major Gifts, Gift Planning, Principal Gifts, Harvard Alumni Association (College Alumni Programs), FAS Research and Prospect Management, Alumni & Development Services, Operations, Academic & Development Coordination, Academic & Donor Engagement, volunteers, and donors to further the cause of Harvard engagement and fundraising efforts.
• Directs work for and mentors a shared, full-time Development Assistant.
• Collaborates periodically on special projects with the HCF Management Team and the FAS and UDO fundraising staff broadly to further overall fundraising objectives.
• The above covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in university fundraising and administration or related transferable experience.
• Travel expectations required: approximately 15-20 percent of working days on the road, depending on responsibilities. Some event and weekend work required.
• Must have experience with Microsoft Windows and databases.
• 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 are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Knowledge of academic communities required. Demonstrated success in annual or capital giving or applicable ability, writing fundraising materials, devising sophisticated cultivation and solicitation strategies, and events management. Proven ability to motivate, engage and work with alumni, university officials, faculty, and staff or similar constituencies. Must have definite abilities to evaluate problems accurately and display good, sound and confidential judgment. Must be motivated to learn and flexible to change. Must have ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, manage multiple projects, and handle difficult situations with tact and a sense of humor. Must be highly organized, detail oriented and efficient. Must exhibit great attention to detail and have the ability to produce clear documentati