Assistant Director of Development, Fundraiser Support Management

Company Description

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 Assistant Director oversees a cohort of FAS Development Support Staff (grades 53–54), ensuring frontline officers receive top-tier support and that support staff experience an equitable, positive work environment.

• Lead the day to day management of a cohort of development assistants, including recruitment and hiring, onboarding, workload and schedule oversight, and ensuring they have the tools, processes, and information needed to support frontline fundraisers effectively.
• Own the full year performance management cycle for the assigned cohort, in consultation with frontline officers and the Senior Associate Director of Development, Fundraiser Support Management, including setting expectations, providing ongoing feedback, and delivering formal evaluations.
• Conduct regular one on one check ins with each development assistant to review workload, training needs, position satisfaction, and performance, and to address questions or concerns in a timely, supportive manner.
• Partner with frontline officers to assess the effectiveness of support, gather feedback on development assistant performance, and adjust responsibilities or priorities to align with evolving fundraising needs.
• Oversee long term and interim staffing and project assignments for the development assistant cohort, balancing coverage and workload to ensure consistent, high quality support for all assigned fundraising teams.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and the Senior Associate Director of Development, Fundraiser Support Management on performance concerns, employee relations matters, compensation topics, and policy interpretation to ensure fair, consistent, and compliant people practices.
• Help coordinate a cohesive approach to Group Leader management and engagement across both FAS Group Leader cohorts (Harvard College Fund and Donor Development), in partnership with the Senior Associate Director and peer Assistant Director, to ensure consistent standards, communication, and support.
• Work closely with Talent Management, the Senior Associate Director, and frontline leaders to identify skills gaps and professional growth opportunities, and to design and implement onboarding, training, and development plans that support both immediate job success and longer term career progression.
• Co plan and execute monthly development assistant cohort meetings with the Senior…