Development Assistant – Alumni & Donor Relations

Harvard University FAS Human Resources; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off including paren

Medical, dental, and vision health ins

Retirement plans with university co

Wellbeing and mental health resources

Support for families and caregivers

Professional development opportunities

Commuter benefits, discounts and perks

Job summary

Harvard University invites applications for a Development Assistant within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences development team. This full-time, non-exempt role supports frontline gift officers to advance Harvard's philanthropic mission, offering a rich entry point into alumni affairs and development in higher education.

You will manage data, draft prospect materials, coordinate travel, prepare reports, and collaborate with colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of related experience (education may count toward experience).
• Solid computer skills with the capability to master databases, mail merges, and report generation.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
• Available to work additional evening hours if necessary.
• You will be expected to attend meetings and campus events in Cambridge, MA.

Responsibilities

• Provides support to all aspects of fundraisers’ prospect and volunteer management, including data gathering, input and maintenance; drafting prospect/volunteer outreach, memos, correspondence, and reports.
• Develops and prepares meeting and solicitation materials prior to prospect meetings and supports post-meeting action items.
• Achieves proficiency in the alumni/donor database to research prospects, organize data and produce reports.
• Partners with gift officers 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.
• Coordinates officers’ travel and expense reports; schedules meetings and maintains calendars; takes and distributes meeting notes and performs other administrative responsibilities as needed.
• Provides customer service to internal and external stakeholders upon request and as appropriate with guidance from manager.
• Cultivates favorable relationships and works closely throughout the year with colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development and with alumni, current students, volunteers, and/or parents to help accomplish department and team goals.
• Supports officers’ work with volunteer leaders on plans and activities to achieve committee goals and increase donor participation.
• May help facilitate communications with various FAS constituents from the officer and/or volunteer leaders to the broader community.
• Serves as a resource for policies, protocols and procedures and strategizes ways for fundraising efforts to be more efficient and productive.
• May be asked to provide additional support for the broader Harvard College Fund team and FAS Development during times of peak activity or staff transition.
• Participates in various team and staff meetings throughout the year and is an engaged member of the team.
• Provides other job-related duties as required.

Skills

Strong writing

MS Office

Database management

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Multi-tasking

Education

College degree

Tools

Advance database

Qlikview

Job description

Harvard University invites applications for a Development Assistant within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences development team. This full-time, non-exempt role supports frontline gift officers to advance Harvard's philanthropic mission, offering a rich entry point into alumni affairs and development in higher education.

You will manage data, draft prospect materials, coordinate travel, prepare reports, and collaborate with colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development.