Regional Director, Major and Planned Gifts

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Harvard Radcliffe Institute in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Regional Director of Major and Planned Gifts to grow a portfolio of major gift prospects in Greater Boston and NYC while developing a national planned giving pipeline. The role emphasizes proactive outreach, donor engagement, and collaboration with Harvard's development network.

Ideal candidates have at least five years of fundraising experience, a bachelor's degree, and proven ability to manage donor relationships, solicit gifts, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Minimum five years in development, with donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Ability to work independently and balance multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing volunteers and staff in donor meetings/trips.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 150‑175 prospects for 6‑ and 7‑figure gifts, primarily in Greater Boston and NYC with national reach.
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new major and planned giving prospects with proactive outreach.
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals through visits, solicitations, and donor engagements.
• Engage new donors via referrals and collaboration with prospect research, aligning with Harvard priorities.
• Develop and execute a national planned giving prospecting strategy with email, calls, and virtual meetings.
• Maintain accurate donor records in Harvard’s Advance fundraising database.
• Plan 1–2 donor cultivation events annually with Events team, and collaborate across colleges.
• Lead programmatic initiatives and advise on donor engagement strategies across Harvard units.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Volunteer management

Staffing senior leaders

Self-starter / organized

Collaboration / emotional intelligence

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

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 Radcliffe Institute?

The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, known colloquially as Harvard Radcliffe Institute, is one of the world’s leading centers for interdisciplinary exploration. We bring together students, scholars, artists, and practitioners to pursue curiosity‑driven research, expand human understanding, and grapple with questions that demand insight from across disciplines.

The Fellowship Program annually supports the work of 50 leading artists and scholars. Academic Ventures fosters collaborative research projects and sponsors lectures and conferences that engage scholars with the public. The Schlesinger Library documents the lives of American women of the past and present for the future, furthering the Institute's commitment to women, gender, and society. The Emerging Leaders Program is a youth leadership development program partnering local high school sophomores with Harvard undergraduates in a mentoring relationship.

The Institute’s work is shaped by its history as the former Radcliffe College—a school founded to ensure that the standard of education embodied in Harvard was accessible to women, who were then excluded from the University. But the legacy of Radcliffe College is not simply coeducation at Harvard; it is the recognition that universities will always be greater when they draw wisdom and talent from the widest possible pool.

Take a look at this video to get different staff perspectives on working at Harvard Radcliffe Institute!

Job Summary

The Harvard Radcliffe Institute is seeking a Regional Director of Major and Planned Gifts to join our team. This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Development, Major Gifts, and is charged with continuing to build and refine a portfolio of ~100 major gift prospects primarily in the Greater Boston and New York City Metropolitan Areas while also establishing and growing a planned giving portfolio of 75–100 individuals through proactive national prospecting and cultivation via email, phone calls, and virtual meetings. This is a relatively new strategic focus for HRI, and the Regional Director will play a key role in shaping and formalizing our approach to planned giving, with the first 12–18 months focused heavily on identifying, qualifying, and cultivating new prospects and testing and refining virtual engagement strategies.

This role will be charged with maximizing opportunities for donors to secure their legacy giving and be recognized for it during their lifetime. The ideal candidate will be energized by building and qualifying an early‑stage portfolio, comfortable with a high volume of proactive outreach, and instrumental in devising and implementing targeted strategies to secure significant six‑ and seven‑figure donations. They will be adept at nurturing relationships with potential and existing donors at various engagement levels, and will exhibit exceptional organizational and communication skills, a results‑driven and entrepreneurial approach, proficiency with virtual engagement, and a collaborative spirit, including active participation in on‑campus events and regular travel to engage donors and prospects in person.

Join us in our endeavor to foster meaningful partnerships and contribute to the advancement of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute’s mission through strategic fundraising initiatives.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 150‑175 prospects who can make transformative contributions at the 6‑ and 7‑figure levels through outright and planned gifts. Prospects will be primarily located in the Greater Boston Area and New York Metropolitan Area with additional prospects in emerging secondary markets.
• In the first 12‑18 months, devote a substantial portion of time to identifying, qualifying, and cultivating new major and planned giving prospects, with a particular emphasis on proactive outreach (email, phone, and virtual meetings) to build a sustainable national pipeline, with the understanding that the balance of time between qualification and portfolio management will evolve as the portfolio matures
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals, consistent with the expectations for an established major gift fundraiser. These goals include, but are not limited to prospect visits, gift solicitations, successful gift closures, and overall dollars raised.
• Proactively identify and engage new donor prospects by leveraging referrals, volunteer connections, and collaborative efforts with the prospect research team, ensuring their seamless integration into the major gift and planned giving pipelines.
• Develop and execute an ongoing, proactive planned giving prospecting strategy by identifying, qualifying, and engaging planned gift prospects nationally through targeted email outreach, phone calls, and virtual meetings. Build and nurture a pipeline of prospects with significant capacity and affinity for HRI, educating them about planned giving vehicles and moving qualified prospects toward planned gift commitments.
• Complete and maintain current, accurate records of all donor interactions and progress within Harvard’s Advance fundraising database.
• Strategically evaluate and rank prospects, coordinate with key volunteers for donor assignments, prepare essential briefing materials for interactions, and ensure the follow‑through of volunteer‑led initiatives.
• Plan and implement 1‑2 donor cultivation events annually in partnership with HRI events team, to support a robust and effective regional engagement strategy.
• Assume additional programmatic responsibilities as needed, such as leading discrete fundraising initiatives or special projects that contribute to the department’s success and enhance the long‑term donor engagement strategy.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with colleagues across External Relations and the broader Harvard community, working in tandem with leaders from HRI, FAS Development, the University Development Office, and other Harvard Schools to align strategies for donors with interests in multiple Harvard areas, optimizing their philanthropic impact on HRI.
• Manage and optimize the involvement of HRI’s dean and senior leaders in fundraising activities for assigned prospects. Prepare detailed strategic briefings for meetings and ensure thorough follow‑up after donor interactions and events.
• Continually build knowledge about the mission, projects, and prospects of the Radcliffe Institute. Take part in local academic lectures and associated social functions to foster donor relationships. Act as a dedicated ambassador for HRI, effectively communicating its goals and achievements to stakeholders.

Working Conditions

• This job is performed primarily in a temperature‑controlled office environment.
• Support outside of regularly scheduled hours, including weekends, will occasionally be required.
• Extensive travel will be required throughout the year for meetings with potential donors, attending events and building relationships.

Physical Requirements

• Employee must have the ability to sit at a desk for a minimum of seven hours a day and complete tasks requiring repetitive use of hands.
• Extensive overnight travel will be required throughout the year to accomplish the goals associated with this position.
• This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where the incumbent is required to be onsite at our Cambridge, MA location. Specific days and schedule will be determined between the incumbent and manager.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• At least five years of progressively responsible development experience, including:
  • Ability to identify and evaluate donor prospects and to establish and maintain relationships with them.
  • Demonstrated success in donor cultivation and solicitation to advance institutional priorities.
  • Ability to maximize giving potential and giving inclination using all available resources, including a variety of planned giving strategies.
  • Ability to move challenging and/or complex cases forward.
  • Experience translating institutional priorities into compelling gift opportunities for donors.
  • Collaborative problem‑solving and an entrepreneurial approach to designing creative donor engagement strategies.
  • Understanding of fundraising best practices and techniques.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals at all levels both verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to operate independently and display critical thinking and sound judgment.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience staffing high‑level academic or other leaders in prospect meetings/trips is preferred.
• Must be a self‑starter who is organized, detail‑oriented, and able to prioritize and balance multiple tasks in a fast‑paced complex environment.
• Must have a natural affinity for collaboration, leading through influence, and a high level of emotional intelligence. Must be drawn to a challenge and exhibit the patience necessary to advance solutions in a complex and collaborative organization. Demonstrate a personal commitment to excellence

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Experience, Credit.
• Work Format: Hybrid. With regular on‑campus presence at our Cambridge, MA location.

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 058. 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.