Senior Director - Principal Gifts & Major Donors

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking a Senior Director in Alumni Affairs and Development to lead engagement with principal gifts donors and prospects capable of 8- to 9-figure gifts. The role reports to the Senior Executive Director for University Development and manages a portfolio of around 50 active prospects, mainly on the west coast, expanding the donor pool for transformative gifts.

The Senior Director will collaborate with university leaders and fundraisers across Harvard Schools to advance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 12+ years related fundraising experience.
• Proven track record of multimillion-dollar solicitations and principal-level gifts.
• Ability to translate academic priorities into donor opportunities and proposals.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a principal gifts portfolio with capacity to give $10M+ and secure 8– to 9-figure gifts.
• Build professional relationships between prospects and university leaders.
• Develop engagement strategies, gift opportunities, proposals, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with Harvard Schools and fundraising teams to drive moves management.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Relationship building

Communication (verbal)

Communication (written)

Discretion

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Windows-based PCs

Prospect databases

Video conferencing

Job description

Harvard University is seeking a Senior Director in Alumni Affairs and Development to lead engagement with principal gifts donors and prospects capable of 8- to 9-figure gifts. The role reports to the Senior Executive Director for University Development and manages a portfolio of around 50 active prospects, mainly on the west coast, expanding the donor pool for transformative gifts.

The Senior Director will collaborate with university leaders and fundraisers across Harvard Schools to advance