Development Coordinator

Harvard University Graduate School of Design; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health insurance

Tuition assistance

Retirement plans

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University Graduate School of Design is seeking a Development Coordinator to provide high-level administrative support to major gift officers. The role requires managing prospect outreach, CRM data, meeting materials, and travel coordination, while maintaining detailed records and professional communication.

The position is based in Cambridge, MA, with hybrid work options and a focus on expanding philanthropic support for the school.

Qualifications

• HS diploma and minimum of 3 years of related administrative support experience.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to proofread and ensure accuracy in written materials.
• Microsoft Office and general computer literacy, including proficiency with standard office software and experience with at least one Development CRM (Advance, Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar).

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the fundraisers' prospect management process, including drafting outreach, data gathering, scheduling, meeting prep, and follow-up.
• Maintain calendar for gift officers, organize meetings, and take/distribute notes.
• Proficiently use the alum/donor CRM system to research prospects, analyze data and produce reports.
• Update the alumni/donor CRM system to ensure accurate information.
• Prepare donor briefings for meetings with senior leadership.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and reimbursements with the budget office.
• Offer customer service to donors and alums domestically and internationally.
• Assist with planning and execution of small-scale development events for three major gift officers.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Written & verbal communication

Customer service orientation

Education

HS diploma

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Advance

Salesforce

Raiser’s Edge

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 the Harvard Graduate School of Design? The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) educates design, research, and scholarship leaders to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers degree programs across a range of design disciplines—architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, design engineering, and real estate—as well as advanced research programs that cut across these disciplines and a robust public program of lectures, exhibitions, and publications. The immense variety of people, programs, and ideas at the School sustains a vibrant and rich environment for learning, inquiry, and collaboration, unlike any other design school. For more information about Harvard GSD see: https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/.

Job Description The GSD is Harvard's epicenter for scholarship and innovation related to the built environment. Our faculty and students address defining questions across architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and design, real estate, and design engineering, advancing fields that profoundly influence the human experience. At the GSD, research and teaching drive creative solutions to the world's most urgent challenges, reimagining infrastructure, communities, and cities on a global scale.

Development and Alumni Relations is central to advancing these goals. Our dynamic and collaborative team, including five frontline fundraising positions, is pivoting toward a more metrics- and goal-oriented major and principal gifts program designed to significantly increase philanthropic support for the School.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Major Gifts and Individual Philanthropy, the Development Coordinator provides the highest administrative support to up to three major gift officers. The individual in this role works both independently and collaboratively to manage competing priorities to meet deadlines. The Development Coordinator is expected to take initiative, manage projects with meticulous attention to detail, communicate effectively and professionally, and be willing to develop new skills continuously. This person serves as a key administrative contact and liaison for external and internal constituencies, including alums, donors, senior administrators, and faculty and development colleagues. The individual in this role maintains a “no job is too big or small” philosophy.

Job-Specific Responsibilities: The list below covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. However, it does not exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.

• Provides support to all aspects of the fundraisers' prospect management process, including (but not limited to) drafting prospect outreach, data gathering and maintenance, scheduling, meeting preparation, and follow-up on action items.
• Maintains calendar for the gift officers, organizes meetings, and takes and distributes notes.
• Achieves proficiency in the alum/donor CRM system to research prospects, analyze data and produce reports.
• Regularly manages updates to the alumni/donor CRM system to ensure all information is entered accurately and timely.
• Partners with fundraisers to write high-quality donor briefings for meetings with the Dean, President, Provost, Faculty, and other staff.
• Develops and prepares necessary meeting and solicitation materials before prospect meetings and is responsible for supporting post-meeting follow-up, including submitting contact/visit reports.
• Coordinates fundraiser travel arrangements, reimbursements, and expenses in collaboration with the budget office.
• Provides customer service to internal and external stakeholders such as donors and/or alums both domestically and internationally.
• Represents the fundraising team in the planning and execution of some high-level events. Acts as primary logistical support for small-scale development events for three major gift officers.
• Serves as a resource for policies, protocols, and procedures.
• Strategizes new and creative ways for fundraising efforts to be more efficient and productive through proactive process refinement.
• Maintains robust communication with other areas of the development office and the school to address questions from the fundraising team and keep information flowing in all directions.
• Participates in various team and staff meetings throughout the year and is an engaged member of the team.
• Performs other duties as required in response to the department's changing needs.
• This position's responsibilities also consist of varied projects and tasks that arise out of ongoing shifting demands that cannot always be foreseen. Flexibility, priority-setting and re-prioritizing, and initiative are essential.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this position.

Physical Requirements

• Applicants must be able to perform typical office tasks, including sitting for extended periods, using standard office equipment, and occasionally lifting up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is based in Cambridge, MA, and requires on-campus work one or more days a week. The work is mainly performed in an office setting. Flexible work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process.
• This position is hybrid and open to candidates residing in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. However, it is essential for the Development Coordinator to be present at the GSD frequently and on a flexible basis according to priorities.
• Candidates must have employment authorization to work in the US, and we regret that we cannot sponsor a VISA.
• Candidates who do not live within commuting distance of our Cambridge, Massachusetts campus should indicate on their resumes whether they are “willing to relocate,” as this position requires a regular on-campus presence.

Note: To be considered for this position, a cover letter and resume are required with the submission of your application.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• HS diploma and minimum of 3 years of related administrative support experience.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to proofread and ensure accuracy in written materials.
• Microsoft Office and general computer literacy, including proficiency with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office or Google Workspace) and experience with at least one Development CRM (e.g., Advance, Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, or similar).

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience in a development office or academic setting preferred.
• Must be highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to maintain accuracy and manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be customer service-oriented, with the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, faculty, and stakeholders across the University.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment while managing multiple assignments, meeting deadlines, and resolving problems in a dynamic, multi-faceted environment.
• Embody a high degree of professionalism and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with sound judgment, tact, and discretion.
• Previous experience in a nonprofit or fundraising office, donor relations, or development data management.
• Ability to thoughtfully employ AI-assisted tools for written communications, data-driven tasks, and workflow support, while exercising strong professional judgment and ensuring outputs align with institutional standards.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a willingness to learn, ask questions, identify opportunities for improvement, and contribute to team success.
• Must be enthusiastic, flexible, and adaptable to change, with a collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Additional Information

• Salary Information: The specific annualized hiring range for this position will be $65,000-75,000
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity.

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 054. 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 or 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.