Director of Development, Major Gifts, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

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Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) 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. The goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the talents and experiences of employees; to deliver strong results by incorporating diverse perspectives; and to make AA&D a great place to 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 the Office of Talent, Administration and Policy (OTAP).

The Director, a full-time exempt position on the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Major Gifts team, reports to and collaborates with the Senior Executive Director of Development to lead, mentor, and manage a team of gift officers in the Growth Markets. The Director determines overall strategy for the regions and oversees internal and external execution of an engagement plan. This role coordinates a portfolio of internal leadership activities such as staff training, fundraiser goal setting, review of regional prospect assignments, strategic planning, donor engagement strategy, and other activities as assigned.

The position informs decision making, carries out policies and strategies, and models best practices as a leader, fundraiser, and colleague.

The Director’s experience will be critical in expanding the ability of fundraisers to develop creative strategy by aligning FAS priority needs with donor interests to make an impact. The reporting line is focused on an assigned region and securing gifts across the major gifts scale, including gifts in the range of $500K – $24.9M with blended solicitations and complex asset involvement.

The Director will develop and implement an annual regional plan that impacts FAS Development and expands philanthropic support across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The Director will lead a small team of fundraisers to help the FAS raise six-, seven-, and eight-figure gifts to support the priorities of the FAS Dean and the region.

While the focus is regional leadership, the director will work with a small group of prospects to raise gifts. The incumbent will coordinate development and maintenance of relationships with these prospects and ensure that relevant University Alumni Affairs and Development and FAS colleagues are involved and informed when appropriate.

This position requires a command of advanced fundraising principles and the ability to collaborate and communicate across FAS and AA&D. The Director must possess a bias for clear decision making, strategy development and making the ask, high organization, professionalism, and familiarity with capital, endowment, and annual current-use fundraising objectives. The Director must demonstrate management characteristics while balancing the demands of management, leadership, and prospect work to achieve strong results while nurturing frontline development talent.

Salary and scope include managing a portfolio of gifts across the major gifts scale, with travel expected about 10% of time. The Director should embrace new ideas, be flexible, and maintain confidentiality, honesty, trustworthiness, and stakeholder buy-in. The role requires judgment, diplomacy, and the ability to work with diverse backgrounds and challenging situations. The Director should reflect AA&D values and lead with collaboration, respect, and an empowering leadership style.

• In consultation with the Senior Executive Director, create, socialize, and finalize the annual strategic plan for the assigned regions, including: a concise written plan, yearly…