Senior Director of Development, SEAS

66978BRAuto req ID:66978BRJob Code:Development Sr Specialist Department Office Location:USA - MA - Cambridge Business Title:Senior Director of Development, SEASSub-Unit:------------ Salary Grade ( :061Time Status:Full-time Union:00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required Minimum of 12-15 years of experience in university fundraising or relevant transferable experience required Ability to travel up to approximately 35% of working days Additional Qualifications and Skills: 18-20+ years of experience in university fundraising preferred. Considerable breadth of knowledge and capacity for learning across a wide range of fields; and a sincere excitement about and commitment to the teaching and research mission of Harvard University. Strong interest in mission of research and education in STEM and experience fundraising in organizations with a STEM focus preferred. Some familiarity with corporate and foundation fundraising in a STEM environment preferred. Exceptional track record of working with a wide range of donors, leading to important and transformational/principal gifts and the execution of highly sophisticated stewardship strategies. Intellectual curiosity and demonstrated ability to embrace new ideas and content, and to learn and adapt to quickly function at a high level in a complex environment. Must be able to build strategic partnerships in support of goals. Must be highly collaborative and able to inspire action from a range of stakeholders, including academic and administrative leaders, faculty, volunteers, and fundraising colleagues. Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders across the University with political savvy, as well as the ability to build trust with donors and their representatives, organizational leadership, and internal partners. Good judgment and discretion when discussing alumni and parent prospects and ability to build trust and maintain composure in difficult situations. Sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of stewardship, donor relations, and fundraising best-practices, including fundraising feasibility and fundraising planning. Strong active listening skills, including an ability to ask sensitive questions with tact. Demonstrated ability to uncover interests, motivations, and objections from prospective donors, clients, or others strongly preferred. Someone who is pleasantly persistent while exhibiting sound judgement. Willing to learn and embrace new ideas and be flexible and open to change. Must be able to evaluate problems accurately and display good, sound judgment. 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 as well as an ability to admit mistakes and exhibit patience. Superb organizational skills and ability to think strategically and conceptually while managing multiple projects. Computer literacy required; must have experience with Windows-based PCs and prospect databases. Additional Information: 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 To learn more about how Harvard supports diversity and inclusion throughout the University please visit the Office for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Accommodations: Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please let your recruiter know. 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.Department:Alumni Affairs and DevelopmentPre-Employment Screening:Education, IdentityJob Function:Alumni Affairs and Development Position Description: This role requires a seasoned fundraiser with extensive principal and major gifts experience and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and superb judgement in developing and executing the following activities. Serve as the SEAS dean's lead partner in FAS Development and point of contact for fundraising related matters. Advise and partner with the SEAS dean in ensuring the dean's success in their engagement with donors and volunteers, including supporting the dean to build and express their vision in a manner that engages and inspires the prospective donor and volunteer community. Develop agenda and drive discussion for regular leadership and top prospect strategy review meetings with FAS Development leadership, the SEAS dean and leadership team, and appropriate fundraising staff. In partnership with FAS Development leadership and the SEAS dean, staff and guide the development of a strategic and programmatic vision for the SEAS Dean's Cabinet that supports SEAS fundraising priorities. Collaborate with Academic and Donor Engagement (ADE) team and major and principal gift colleagues on execution of these objectives. Create and implement sophisticated annual and multiyear fundraising plans in support of the SEAS dean's vision and priorities and SEAS financial needs, working with the FAS Dean of Development, FAS Assistant Dean of Development, SEAS Dean, and FAS Development Academic and Development Planning (ADP) team. Ensure plan alignment with overall FAS and University fundraising priorities. Partner with ADP to guide the development of compelling case statements and gift opportunities. Manage a targeted portfolio of prospects with the capacity to make seven- and eight-figure gifts focusing on SEAS priorities. Develop and execute robust and sophisticated multistep strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors. Serve as lead partner for all gift officers and SEAS leadership in developing and driving strategies to support SEAS priorities with prospects with identified interests. Work closely with fundraisers within FAS Development, University Development Office, and other Harvard Schools to coordinate strategies for prospects with multi-school affiliations and/or interests. Partner with Director of Industry Partnerships and other senior leaders within SEAS to evaluate additional funding sources and, where appropriate, determine case for and role of philanthropy with these funders, executing appropriate follow up. Serve as lead project manager and strategist for approved fundraising initiatives for SEAS priorities, working with fundraising colleagues on prospect feasibility and pipelines and with colleagues in Academic and Development Planning on project specific case materials, presentations, and gift opportunities. As part of portfolio work, responsible for meeting or exceeding assigned goals, including but not limited to goals for prospect visits, solicitations, successful gift closures, and dollars raised. These responsibilities include acquiring a deep understanding of assigned prospects' philanthropic interests, capacity, and inclination through in-person and virtual meetings; utilizing knowledge of prospects' interests, to develop and execute robust, multi-step prospect strategies; strategically leveraging academic leadership, faculty, and other members of the Harvard community leading to successful solicitation and closure of gifts; and fostering relationships between prospective donors and the SEAS dean, academic leadership, faculty, and other members of the Harvard community to deepen a prospect's engagement with Harvard. This also includes attending to all administrative processes and policies associated with management of a portfolio including the timely entry of contact reports and accurate upkeep of prospect records in the alumni database. School/Unit:Alumni Affairs and Development EEO Statement:We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.Working Conditions: Travel frequently with SEAS dean and in coordination with key SEAS events related to fundraising and prospect engagement. Partner with ADE, Events, fundraising staff, and regional fundraising leads to plan and execute the strategic engagement of the SEAS dean and SEAS faculty with key prospects and donors in philanthropic markets. Job Summary:Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) Alumni Affairs and Development is a dedicated team supporting Harvard's advancement activity through front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, prospect management and research, business process, events, communications, and many other areas. Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees; to deliver the strongest possible results by incorporating diverse perspectives into our daily work; and to make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. We strive to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation; and open communication and effective information sharing in our daily interactions and our work. AA&D is comprised of the University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and the Office of the Vice President (OVP). This senior fundraising leader in FAS Development will serve as the lead strategist in formulating and executing plans to advance fundraising priorities for the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), working in partnership with major and principal gifts colleagues and other staff across FAS and University Development. The person in this role will serve as a key content expert within FAS Development on SEAS priorities and the vision of the SEAS dean, as well as a knowledgeable and organizationally astute partner to both FAS Development leadership and staff. This position will engage key stakeholders within Harvard and the alumni, donor, and volunteer community in developing and executing fundraising strategies to support SEAS. Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging:Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.Benefits:We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include: Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers. Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date. Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more. Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service. Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools. Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions. Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning. Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more. Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston. Work Format:Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote) LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only):#LI-JP1Work Format Details:This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Created: 2024-11-04