Development Assistant Specialist, Major Gifts

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

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 Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, Advancement Communications, Events & Donor Relations (ACEDR), University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and Office of Talent, Administration and Policy (OTAP).

The Development Assistant Specialist is an integral member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) development team. This full-time non-exempt position supports a small portfolio of Major Gifts fundraisers to advance the philanthropic mission of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

• Provide comprehensive administrative and project support to a portfolio of Major Gift fundraisers, including:

  • Managing tasks, workflow, and projects to help meet competing deadlines.

  • Scheduling meetings, anticipating and resolving conflicts, and proactively reviewing calendars so key deadlines are met.

  • Effectively direct the fundraisers on the flow of their day-to-day tasks.

• Support all aspects of the prospect management process for assigned fundraisers, including (but not limited to):

  • Gathering, organizing, and maintaining accurate prospect and donor data.

  • Drafting outreach, memos, correspondence, and reports.

  • Preparing meeting and solicitation materials.

  • Facilitating post‑meeting follow up (drafting thank you notes, summarizing follow up steps and action items, and submitting contact/visit reports).

• Ensure timely and effective follow‑up with donors by:

  • Tracking gift conversations, solicitation strategies, and stewardship opportunities.

  • Preparing and documenting next steps.

  • Liaising with Research and other internal teams as needed.

• Support the Regional Lead fundraiser’s strategy by:

  • Collecting and organizing region specific data for strategy, pipeline, reporting and planning.

  • Coordinating planning meetings, including scheduling, agendas/materials, and meeting notes.

• Assist the Regional Lead with trip planning and follow up, including:

  • Collecting, copy editing, and proofreading trip itineraries, briefings, and thank you notes associated with each trip.

  • Communicating details around trip logistics, including updates, tasks, and deadlines with colleagues.

  • May support small event activity including invite pool development, communication, event bios and logistics.

• Coordinate fundraisers’ travel, including:

  • Booking travel and accommodations.

  • Preparing accurate and timely expense reports.

  • Managing and updating trip itineraries.

  • Troubleshooting scheduling or logistical issues during travel days as needed.

• Draft a high volume of high-quality donor briefings with fundraisers for meetings with key administrators, including:

  • Monitoring relevant internal and…