Senior Director of Development, Major Gifts, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

at  Harvard University

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Senior Director’s experience and knowledge will be critical in expanding the ability of fundraisers to form creative strategy development as they combine the FAS’ priority needs with a donor’s interests and desire to make an impact. The position’s formal reporting line will be focused on securing gifts at the top end of the Major Gifts team pyramid and will often represent about 70 percent of the team’s overall fundraising success. This includes those that are in the range of $500K - $10M multi-annual level, with a keen eye toward blended solicitations involving flexible support, gift planning vehicles, and the potential for complicated asset involvement. The Senior Director will be expected to develop and implement annual plans that impact the entire Major Gifts team and additionally, to expand philanthropic support across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The Senior Director will lead a Managing Director and several combined direct reports that play a critical role in the FAS’ ability to raise six-, seven- and eight-figure gifts to support a multiyear fundraising framework and developing priorities along with engendering a habit of high-level, annual giving among our alumni, parents, and friends.
While the main focus of this position is executive leadership, a small percentage of prospect work (a select portfolio 3-5 prospects) will be done at the seven- and eight-figure level. The incumbent will coordinate the development and maintenance of relationships with these prospects and will be expected to ensure that relevant University Alumni Affairs and Development, and FAS colleagues are involved and/or informed when appropriate.
This position requires a command of advanced fundraising principles and the ability to collaborate and communicate across the FAS, Alumni Affairs and Development, and University Development Office (UDO). Additionally, the Senior Director must possess a bias for clear decision making, developing strategy and making the ask, a high level of organization, professionalism, and a broad familiarity with the objectives of capital, endowment and annual current-use fundraising. The Senior Director must demonstrate management characteristics while balancing the demands of management, leadership, and prospect work to achieve strong results while nurturing and developing frontline development talent.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in development or related transferable skills.
• Previous management of frontline fundraisers required.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Strong ability to quickly earn trust of staff and prospects. Must have demonstrated experience engaging prospects/clients in thoughtful, personal conversations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must be mission-driven, intellectually curious, and have a demonstrated ability of working well with others in a collaborative manner.
• Requires attention to detail, poise, and diplomacy given interaction with senior administration members and senior faculty; superb written and oral communication skills; flexibility; and the ability to multi-task without losing focus on both short- and long-term goals.
• Advanced knowledge of fundraising strategies and techniques preferred; experience managing a prospect pool and a proven record of moving prospects strategically through stages of identification, cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship.
• Experience briefing and staffing high-level academic or other leaders in prospect meetings.
• Must demonstrate ability and interest for management and administrative functions, such as nurturing and mentoring professional staff, hiring and evaluating staff, and managing basic office functions.
• Excellent interpersonal, public speaking, written communication and presentation skills required. Computer literacy required; must have experience with Windows and databases.
• The ideal candidate exhibits a sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of major gift fundraising principles and practices, extremely high levels of professionalism, collegiality, self-motivation, organization, and familiarity with the goals and objectives of the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and of the entire Harvard Alumni Affairs and Development organization.

ABOUT US

• This position requires a 6 month orientation and review period.
• Please include a cover letter with your application.
  To learn more about the AA&D team, please visit our Careers site at https://alumni.harvard.edu/careers
  To learn more about how Harvard supports diversity and inclusion throughout the University please visit the Office for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at https://dib.harvard.edu/.
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  COVID 19 Vaccination Information: The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Please refer the Job description for details