Director of Development Strategy

Harvard Central Administration (CADM) Talent Acquisition; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Family support

Job summary

Harvard University Central Administration is seeking a Director of Development Strategy to manage systems, processes, and internal communications supporting Harvard's top solicitations and optimizing leadership engagement across AA&D and the Schools.

The successful candidate will bring deep experience in principal gift fundraising strategy, strong cross‑functional leadership, and the ability to navigate complex data and policies to drive high‑priority initiatives in a university campaigns

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years related experience.
• Ability to work evenings or weekends and travel for donor meetings.
• Cambridge, MA campus engagement and events participation may be required.

Responsibilities

• Develop familiarity with backgrounds and strategies for top prospects and donors.
• Manage development and tracking of top prospect lists for senior leadership meetings.
• Provide strategic oversight of a $10M+ solicitation portfolio and coordinate complex solicitations.
• Direct logistics for forums to develop plans for top prospects and liaise with fundraising partners.
• Provide cross‑functional leadership for leadership communications, travel, and briefing content.
• Recruitment and management of presidential committees; solicit input from schools.
• Oversee annual event request process and contribute to event strategy and seating plans.
• Drive alignment with policy systems and data considerations for university‑wide prospect coordination.
• Mentor the Assistant Director, Development Strategy, and conduct performance reviews.

Skills

Strategic planning

Fundraising experience

Leadership

Cross‑functional collaboration

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM systems

Database management

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.

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

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Director, Development Strategy, will manage and oversee the systems, processes, and internal communications that serve to support the pipeline of top solicitations University-wide and maximize the time and effectiveness of the Harvard University President and Provost. In a University campaign setting, this individual will manage activities related to internal planning, pipeline feasibility, and volunteer leadership.

The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of principal gift fundraising strategy and donor relations, along with the strategic judgment and ability to navigate organizational, data, and operational complexity, influence across functions, and lead the successful execution of high-priority initiatives.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Develop familiarity with the backgrounds and strategies for each of the University’s top prospects and donors.
• Manage the development and tracking of University top prospect lists, contributing to the creation of pipelines for senior leadership meetings and travel and liaising with fundraising partners across AA&D and the Schools.
• Provide strategic oversight of University Development’s $10M+ solicitation portfolio, including the coordination and advancement of complex solicitations requiring Gift Policy Committee review; ensure the integrity and quality of materials and equip the AVP of UDAS with the analysis, recommendations, and preparation needed for effective decision‑making and committee engagement.
• Direct logistics for forums to develop and share plans for the University’s top prospects, including pipeline reviews and top prospect strategy discussions. Oversee communications and meeting materials and track on next steps and deliverables.
• Provide strategic leadership and cross‑functional integration for Presidential and Provostial development activity, partnering across Advancement Communications, Events and Donor Relations, University Development, Philanthropic Partnerships, and the VPAAD Office to align priorities and ensure seamless execution of leadership‑level communications and announcements, travel and meeting pipelines, and internal strategy and planning meetings.
• Manage the identification, recruitment, and management of membership of presidential committees, including soliciting input from Schools.
• Oversee University Development’s annual event request process. Support the execution of select special events with the President’s and Provost’s involvement, partnering with University Development colleagues to develop event strategy, collaborate with schools, create seating plans, and contribute to briefing content.
• With University Development and Prospect Management, have responsibility for driving the work described above in ways that ensure alignment with the broader policy systems, and data considerations and activities related to university‑wide prospect coordination and management.
• Manage and supervise the Assistant Director, Development Strategy, providing mentoring, training, and performance management reviews.
• 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. May take on other direct reports or assignments, as needed.

Working Conditions

• Candidates must be willing to have a hybrid presence in the office and flexibility for in office as needed around manager needs and donor visits.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required and minimum of 10 years related experience required.
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel as necessary for donor and colleague meetings and events.
• 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

• Experience working with prospect strategy and in a fundraising environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully under pressure, understand and follow policies and procedures, and accommodate change. Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on a team. Must be able to complete assignments independently and with a minimum amount of supervision.
• Must be able to collaborate with a range of diverse stakeholders and lead and manage key organizational processes and activities with confidence and good judgement.
• Strong operational skills that demonstrate professionalism, organization, strong time management, managing and measuring work, managing work processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; must be detail oriented. Evidence of the analytic and research skills to gather and determine essential data from a variety of written and individual sources.
• Good judgment and discretion to represent the Alumni Affairs and Development constituencies in a highly professional manner. Ability to handle confidential materials with discretion. Collaborative and diplomatic – able to advance projects and work outside of their direct authority by building and maintaining strong internal relationships.
• Solid computer skills in a PC environment with the capability to master new software applications and technologies in database management.

Additional Information

• Orientation and Review Period: 6 months
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours 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 060. 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.