Senior Director, Principal Gifts

As a principal gifts frontline fundraiser in University Development, the Senior Director plays a leadership role in shaping Harvard’s engagement with individual principal gifts donors and prospects who have the potential to make 8- and 9-figure gifts to the University. 

The position reports to the Senior Executive Director for University Development and serves as a senior fundraiser for the University. The Senior Director will manage a principal gifts portfolio of around 50 active prospects, donors, and volunteer leaders, primarily located on the west coast, and will expand the portfolio by identifying and engaging new prospects with the capacity of giving $10 million or more.

The role will be responsible for advancing University priorities, which include School-based priorities as well as central and University-wide priorities as defined by the President and Provost. The Senior Director will work in close coordination with senior academic and development leaders, and fundraisers across Harvard Schools. 

The ideal candidate has a sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles and practices, and the ability to inspire confidence and trust in others, form strong relationships within the University and externally, and leverage volunteer leadership in advancing donor relationships and gift discussions. The candidate will also demonstrate an intellectual curiosity about the work of the University, an ability to translate a broad range of academic areas into inspiring visions for donors, and a high level of adaptability and flexibility as needs and priorities change. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of prospects with the capacity to give $10 million or more with the goal of securing gifts of 8- to 9- figures. Build professional relationships with prospects or their philanthropic representatives and facilitate a network of relationships between prospects and university leaders.  Match interests with institutional needs and opportunities; and work to focus on raising the highest quality dollars that directly impact the teaching, research, and education mission.  Work closely with fundraisers and fundraising service teams across Harvard to develop and implement engagement strategies, conceptualize gift opportunities, develop gift proposals, and produce timely and meaningful stewardship.  Meet expectations for moves management and other individual and team metrics. 

• Adhere to Harvard’s principles and best practices for listening to our donors, matching donor interests with core academic priorities, and operating with transparency and collegiality. The Senior Director, as a member of the University Development team, will add value not only by personally engaging potential donors and/or their representatives, but also by advising colleagues on strategies, and by serving as a member of a team where another fundraiser is driving the strategy.  For this reason, the Senior Director must exhibit the ability to work collaboratively with team goals in mind. 

• Stays abreast of content that relates to academic and programmatic priorities across the University, particularly those of interest to the prospects in the principal gifts portfolio, and overall University news.

• Travel as needed to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors. May involve international travel depending on prospect assignments.

• Plan, staff, and brief senior academic administrators and faculty for substantive, strategic prospect/donor visits and events. Inform and participate in these activities when serving as a partner to another fundraiser.

• Collaborate with colleagues on partner teams to develop impactful events, strategic communications, and meaningful stewardship needed to advance principal gifts. 

• Work with volunteer leaders to advance prospect and donor activity. 

• Represent University Development and Harvard with professionalism, collegiality, expertise, service, and grace.  Exhibit Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) values, such as transparency, honesty, integrity, and inclusion, in all dealings.

The above covers the most significant responsibilities of this position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.

Working Conditions:

• Candidates must be willing to have a hybrid presence in the office and flexibility for in office as needed around manager needs and donor visits.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required and minimum of 12 years related experience required. 
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel as necessary for donor and colleague meetings and events. 
• You will be expected to work certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each Spring, and participate in department retreats that are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven experience engaging high-net-worth individuals and a successful track record of developing strategies for multimillion-dollar, complex solicitations and raising principal-level gifts. 
• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills, and the ability to effectively engage with all levels of staff, leadership, donors, and donors' financial and legal advisors. 
• Intellectually curious and eager to learn about, and engage with, new academic content both within established programs and emerging initiatives. Ability to express concisely and persuasively the mission and priorities of the University to all people of differing temperaments, backgrounds, and philosophies. 
• Ability to apply good judgment and discretion to represent the Alumni Affairs and Development constituencies in a highly professional manner. Ability to handle confidential materials with discretion. 
• Computer literacy required must have experience with Windows-based PCs, prospect databases, and videoconferencing platforms.

Additional Information

Please include a cover letter as a part of your application to help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.

• Orientation and Review Period: 6 months
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

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 061. 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.