Director, Principal & Major Gifts

Harvard Kennedy School; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Well-being resources

Family support

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard Kennedy School seeks an experienced Director, Principal & Major Gifts to independently manage a portfolio of principal and major gift prospects. The role requires cultivating, soliciting and stewarding gifts while collaborating with faculty and senior administrators to align fundraising with School priorities.

The position emphasizes strategic planning, donor relationship management, and leading fundraising efforts across regions and centers, with the ability to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 7+ years of fundraising experience in complex environments.
• Track record of cultivating, soliciting and closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Experience partnering with senior leadership and board members.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of 75–100 principal and major gifts prospects and donors.
• Achieves monthly visit and annual solicitation and revenue goals.
• Develops cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to deepen engagement and revenue.
• Collaborates with faculty and staff to identify funding opportunities and donor priorities.
• Prepares strategy briefs, proposals, and reports for donors and senior leadership.

Skills

Donor cultivation

Senior stakeholder engagement

Strategic fundraising

Fundraising analytics

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

Advance CRM

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 Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting‑edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

Job Description

The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) has a demonstrated track record of training the world’s leaders and public servants. Since its founding in 1936, the Harvard Kennedy School has evolved from a graduate school of public administration to a global institution that brings together powerful research, students from over 100 countries, and practitioners from across the public sector to solve the major problems of our time. The office of Alumni Relations & Resource Development (ARRD) at HKS seeks an experienced, ambitious and mission‑driven Director, Principal & Major Gifts. The Director, Principal & Major Gifts works within an entrepreneurial and dynamic School environment and closely collaborates with faculty, senior administration, and University officials to independently manage their portfolio of prospects with a focus on securing gifts of $500k+. The incumbent will secure funding for School and Center priorities, and lead strategies for assigned regions, Centres, priorities and projects, and achieve ambitious activity and revenue goals. The Director, Principal & Major Gifts is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of principal and major gift prospects at various stages of their relationship with the Harvard Kennedy School. They will also partner closely with faculty and staff at the school’s research centres to embed fundraising best practices and identify opportunities for donor cultivation/solicitation.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of 75‑100 principal and major gifts prospects and donors.
• Achieves monthly visit and annual solicitation and revenue goals.
• Develops appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to consistently deepen engagement of entire portfolio and grow philanthropic revenue aligned with School and Centre priorities.
• Qualifies, progresses, and cultivates newly identified prospects, and actively identifies and works with volunteers to tap into new networks of support.
• Partners closely with faculty and administrators at School‑based research centres to provide guidance on and help implement fundraising strategy, recruit donors and board members, and raise funds for the centre or program.
• Develops subject‑matter expertise and persuasive visions for areas staffed, and educates ARRD colleagues to maximise revenue to those areas.
• Develops annual operating plan for own fundraising in partnership with the Executive Director, Principal and Major Gifts, and Senior Associate Dean, ARRD.
• Staffs faculty and/or senior administrators in meetings with donors and represents ARRD at events, meetings, and 1:1 visits. Drafts strategy briefings, follow‑up correspondence, and contact reports.
• Partners with ARRD teams as appropriate, including Engagement, Development Communications, Alumni Relations, Pipeline & Operations, and Development Administration to maximise engagement of prospects, including planning around trips.
• Manages a shared staff assistant and may manage Assistant or Associate Directors of Development.
• As a member of the Alumni Relations and Development Office team, attends meetings and events and takes on critical project work as needed. This might include working on planning efforts, development committee meetings or events, drafting reports and presentations, or writing proposals.
• Performs other responsibilities upon request, as needed, with or without accommodation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 7+ years of experience in fundraising in a complex higher education, academic medical research organisation, or similarly complex organisation.
• Demonstrated track record in cultivating, soliciting and closing six‑and seven‑figure gifts in a complex environment.
• Direct experience partnering with senior leadership, faculty, and/or board members in a complex organisation.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrated track record of cultivating relationships with high‑net‑worth individuals, volunteers, and diverse international donors. Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to persuade and negotiate with peer leaders and external partners on issues and programmes that impact ARRD and the School.
• Strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to develop and implement both long‑ and short‑term fundraising plans.
• High degree of political savvy and cultural sensitivity in navigating complex donor relationships.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, including pipeline and portfolio management.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex content into compelling cases for support and to communicate HKS’ mission effectively.
• Experience in a metrics‑driven environment; comfort with data‑driven decision‑making and fundraising metrics.
• Knowledge of industry best practices in philanthropy and fundraising.
• Familiarity with donor databases (e.g., Advance, Salesforce, or similar CRM).
• Ability to work nights and weekends and to travel as required.

Additional Information

• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal...

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 059. Please visit Harvard’s Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Well‑being and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

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, colour, 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.