Donor Relations Coordinator

• Salary Grade: 055
• FLSA Status:
  Non-exempt

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.

About the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD)

The Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) educates leaders in design, research, and scholarship to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers an unparalleled setting for interaction through the combination of disciplines—architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and design, design engineering, real estate and housing—including an emerging research program and a robust public program of lectures and exhibitions.

The GSD is Harvard's epicenter for scholarship and innovation related to the built environment. Our faculty and students address defining questions across architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and design, real estate, and design engineering, advancing fields that profoundly influence the human experience. At the GSD, research and teaching drive creative solutions to the world's most urgent challenges, reimagining infrastructure, communities, and cities on a global scale.

Why join the Harvard Graduate School of Design?

This role is an opportunity to shape and elevate donor engagement at the world’s premier design school—championing stewardship, recognition, and impact reporting for our most dedicated supporters. If you thrive on building structure, using data to drive decisions, working collaboratively, and are passionate about donor communications that convey meaningful societal impact, we encourage you to apply.

In this position, you will:

• Strengthen donor relationships through thoughtful, timely, and personalized communications.
• Develop and implement operational processes that improve donor stewardship and recognition efforts.
• Collaborate across teams to build a best‑in‑class stewardship program.

SUMMARY:

The Donor Relations Coordinator is responsible for collaborating with colleagues in the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DevAR) and across the School on programs that acknowledge, recognize, cultivate, and steward donors at all levels of support.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Donor Relations and Communications and serving as an integral member of the Donor Relations and Communications Team, the Coordinator:

• Drives a timely and carefully crafted acknowledgment process that recognizes donors’ philanthropic support.
• Manages the full portfolio of Fellowship Reports and develops other stewardship communications.
• Coordinates recognition initiatives, including donor listings and special recognition at events.
• Ensures smooth daily operations and effective administration.

This position is expected to take initiative in improving processes, streamlining workflows, and delivering donor‑centric stewardship best practices and materials.

TYPICAL

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Donor Relations and Stewardship

• Lead and strengthen the donor acknowledgment process, ensuring accurate, timely, and personalized donor communications grounded in clear, compelling writing and thoughtful editing.
• Plan, write, and produce Fellowship Reports and other stewardship reporting in close collaboration with gift officers, partnering with students, staff, and faculty as needed.
• Support the stewardship of Annual Fund donors and prospects in partnership with the Annual Giving Team.
• Coordinate donor recognition, maintain accurate records, track engagement, and continuously improve the donor experience.
• Assist with donor communications, including reports, email campaigns, and other stewardship content.
• Provide responsive, professional service to internal partners and external stakeholders, including donors, alumni, and vendors.
• Actively contribute to departmental and School‑wide events and initiatives.
• Perform additional stewardship and administrative duties as assigned.

Development Data Operations

• Leverage reporting tools (e.g., Qlik View, Salesforce) to inform…