Principal Gifts Development Specialist

Harvard University FAS Human Resources; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health insurance starting day one

Retirement plan with university match

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Harvard University’s Alumni Affairs and Development is seeking a Development Coordinator to provide strategic, operational, and administrative support to the Executive Director of Principal Gifts in advancing the Faculty of Arts and Sciences philanthropic mission.

The role focuses on prospect and relationship management, travel and meeting support, gift and database administration, and collaborative work across departments.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of work experience related to development, volunteer management, constituent engagement, or project management.
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
• Available to work additional evening hours if necessary.

Responsibilities

• Oversee prospect activity support from preparation through follow-up, including drafting outreach, correspondence, briefing materials, reports, meeting notes, and action plans.
• Prepare talking points, donor strategies, relationship summaries, and recommended next steps.
• Coordinate proposals, donor briefings, planning meetings, correspondence, and other requests for the fundraiser.
• Prepare a high volume of high-quality briefings for domestic and international travel and meetings with university leaders.
• Coordinate travel preparation, donor research, briefing materials, meeting logistics, talking points, and follow-up plans.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Strong writing skills

Evening hours availability

Tools

Database proficiency

Job description

Harvard University’s Alumni Affairs and Development is seeking a Development Coordinator to provide strategic, operational, and administrative support to the Executive Director of Principal Gifts in advancing the Faculty of Arts and Sciences philanthropic mission.

The role focuses on prospect and relationship management, travel and meeting support, gift and database administration, and collaborative work across departments.