Impact-Driven Principal & Major Gifts Director

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

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.