Director, Principal Gifts

Job Summary

The External Relations team at Harvard Business School (HBS) is dedicated to strengthening the lifelong relationship between alumni and the School by delivering meaningful engagement and learning and by inspiring philanthropy that supports and extends the HBS mission of educating leaders who make a difference in the world. Our organization is unequivocally committed to the core values of racial equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, and empowers all staff to embody these principles in our internal work with colleagues and our external work with alumni, donors and friends of the School.

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of ~125 HBS households with the capacity to make 6‑, 7‑ and 8‑figure philanthropic commitments.
• Develop an understanding of and travel frequently to assigned region(s) to achieve annual fundraising goals and to develop pipeline of future fundraising activity.
• Develop and represent a strong working knowledge of the top fundraising priorities for the School, other HBS activities and initiatives, and the School’s presence in the officer’s assigned region(s).
• Be a champion of the HBS Fund, working towards securing unrestricted annual support from your prospects for this important initiative.
• Contribute to the planning of regional events, engagement opportunities and faculty/senior leadership travel.
• Draft briefings and correspondence for senior leadership and faculty.
• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development, including the articulation of an annual professional development plan.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on‑site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 7+ years of frontline fundraising or related experience required.

• A strong command of fundraising principles (including experience with annual giving and planned giving in a philanthropic setting).
• The ability to develop, implement and assess effective donor‑centered fundraising strategies.
• A proven fundraising track record that includes directly soliciting, negotiating and closing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts, preferably in an academic setting.
• A high level of organization and professionalism, an ability to think creatively and be open to new ideas, and a commitment to the HBS mission.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers and colleagues, including:
  • Excellent judgment, diplomacy and discretion; ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills, detail orientation and ability to self‑motivate.
  • Willingness to be an enthusiastic contributor to the Principal Gifts team and the broader ER community.
  • Must have a natural affinity for collaboration, leading through influence and a high level of emotional intelligence and curiosity.
  • Must be drawn to a challenge and exhibit patience in advancing solutions across a complex, highly matrixed organization.

• Visa sponsorship:
  Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑employment screening:
  Identity, Education.
• Hybrid position – a combination of remote and onsite work at the Boston, MA campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week; specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and may change with appropriate advanced notice.
• Candidate interviews may be conducted virtually (phone and/or Zoom) and/or in‑person.
• A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

This position can be 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. Employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard‑registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts.

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard’s Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and…