Major Gifts Development Associate

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition assistance

Retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences Development team seeks a Development Assistant to support frontline gift officers and advance fundraising priorities. The role offers exposure to alumni affairs and development within a large university setting, with opportunities to learn about data management and donor relations.

The position emphasizes collaboration with colleagues, strong writing, and meticulous data handling while supporting events and donor communication in a dynamic

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of related experience (education may count toward experience).
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
• Availability to work additional evening hours for events if necessary.
• On-campus attendance in Cambridge, MA is expected.

Responsibilities

• Provides support to prospect management, including data gathering, input and maintenance; drafting outreach, memos, correspondence, and reports.
• Prepares meeting and solicitation materials; supports post-meeting action items.
• Learns and uses the alumni/donor database to research prospects and generate reports.
• Collaborates with gift officers to write event briefs, bios, and donor briefs.
• Maintains reports on gift totals, solicitation status, and prospects; generates lists using Advance and QlikView.
• Coordinates officers’ travel and expense reports; schedules meetings and takes notes.
• Provides customer service to donors and alumni, domestically and internationally, with guidance from manager.
• Supports collaboration with colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development to meet department goals.

Skills

Data management

Microsoft Office

Writing skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Advance database

QlikView

Job description

Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences Development team seeks a Development Assistant to support frontline gift officers and advance fundraising priorities. The role offers exposure to alumni affairs and development within a large university setting, with opportunities to learn about data management and donor relations.

The position emphasizes collaboration with colleagues, strong writing, and meticulous data handling while supporting events and donor communication in a dynamic