Senior Director of Gift Planning & Strategy

Harvard University FAS Human Resources; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans with university match

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Job summary

Harvard Medical School (HMS) seeks a Managing Director of Gift Planning to provide strategic leadership for a comprehensive gift planning program. You will manage fundraising staff, design cultivation and solicitation strategies for planned, blended, and outright gifts, and collaborate with HMS and University partners to maximize deferred giving opportunities.

The role requires deep expertise in planned giving, strong leadership, and a track record of closing major gifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible development experience, including significant experience with planned giving and/or complex philanthropic gifts.
• Expert knowledge of planned giving vehicles, charitable tax law, estate planning principles, and trust administration.
• Proven ability to identify, qualify, cultivate, and engage high-net-worth individuals within and beyond the Harvard community, using an entrepreneurial approach.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to present compelling proposals to donors and prospects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HMS Gift Planning program and set strategic direction.
• Develop and implement annual and multi-year plans with quantitative goals.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and supervise two direct reports.
• Oversee gift planning marketing, prospect cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Ensure compliance with University policies and gift administration standards.
• Collaborate with other units to integrate gift planning into broader fundraising strategies.

Skills

Gift planning

Portfolio management

Strategic leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Donor database (CRM)

Job description

Harvard Medical School (HMS) seeks a Managing Director of Gift Planning to provide strategic leadership for a comprehensive gift planning program. You will manage fundraising staff, design cultivation and solicitation strategies for planned, blended, and outright gifts, and collaborate with HMS and University partners to maximize deferred giving opportunities.

The role requires deep expertise in planned giving, strong leadership, and a track record of closing major gifts.