Development Assistant, Principal Gifts

Digitailor; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking a Development Assistant to support frontline gift officers in advancing the Faculty of Arts and Sciences' philanthropic mission. This full-time, non-exempt role offers opportunities to work with donors, alumni, and colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development in Cambridge.

You will handle prospect research, data entry, and reporting, helping prepare materials for meetings and donor communications while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Supports prospect management, including data gathering, input and maintenance; drafting outreach, memos, correspondence, and reports.
• Prepares meeting and solicitation materials; supports post-meeting action items.
• Maintains alumni/donor databases and generates reports; ensures data accuracy.

Skills

Writing skills

Interpersonal skills

Detail-oriented

Proofreading/editing

Education

College degree

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 Development Assistant is an integral member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) development team. This full-time non-exempt position supports frontline gift officers to advance the philanthropic mission of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in building their career within higher education and learn more about alumni affairs and development. Job-Specific

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. Achieves proficiency in the alumni/donor database to research prospects, organize data and produce reports. Enters data in an accurate and timely manner. 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. Provides customer service to internal and external stakeholders such as donors and/or alumni both domestically and internationally with guidance from manager. Cultivates favorable relationships and works closely throughout the year with colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development to help accomplish department and team goals. May help facilitate communications with various FAS constituents from the officers. 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 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. 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. Working Conditions: Workplace role requirements outside of campus-based engagements required by AA&D/team or unit, such as reunion activities, retreats, etc. You will be expected to work at certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each spring, and participate in department retreats that are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA. We will do our best to give you up to 2 weeks' notice of these situations.

Basic Qualifications

1–2 years of related experience (education may count toward experience). Solid computer skills in a PC environment with the capability to master new software applications and technologies in database management, 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 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

College degree from an accredited institution strongly preferred. Must be focused, motivated to learn, and flexible to change. 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. 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. 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.