Director of Annual Giving and Engagement

Job Summary

The Harvard Radcliffe Institute seeks a strategic, data-driven, and collaborative Director of Annual Giving to lead the Institute’s annual giving program. The role develops and executes multi‑channel direct marketing campaigns, advancing donor acquisition, retention, and annual giving revenue. The Director manages a data‑informed program grounded in audience segmentation, analytics, and testing, sustaining and growing the annual donor base and building collaborative relationships across the Faculty and the University.

• Develop and implement strategy for the Institute’s multi‑channel direct marketing program, using a data‑driven approach to drive donor acquisition, retention, and revenue.
• Drive all aspects of the annual direct marketing plan, including project calendars, channel mix, segmentation strategy, budget and vendor management, and goal forecasting.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Donor Relations and Communications and the Donor Engagement and Annual Giving Officer to ensure timely execution of projects and reporting to meet institutional standards.

• Partner with Harvard’s Alumni Affairs & Development University Business Solutions team and the Donor Engagement and Annual Giving Officer to ensure effective audience segmentation, testing, reporting accuracy, and continuous process improvement.
• Monitor campaign outcomes, strengthen reporting mechanisms, and provide regular updates to department and Institute leadership.
• Conduct in‑depth analyses of campaign effectiveness and target audience engagement, developing forecasting models to guide annual goal setting.

• Develop a deep understanding of HRI’s affiliate groups and partner with External Relations, Communications, and Academic Programs to map engagement opportunities.
• Create annual and five‑year plans to engage, educate, and cultivate target audiences, prioritizing investments aligned with institutional resources.
• Define measures of success, report on learnings, and recommend strategic adjustments.

• Develop targeted marketing strategies and events to increase awareness of and participation in the Institute’s giving societies.
• Work closely with the Director of Donor Engagement and the Senior Director of Development to build processes that ensure Leadership Society donors are solicited and participation grows.
• Monitor, analyze, and report monthly progress to the department and leadership.

• Provide guidance and direction to temporary staff, students, and matrixed team members assigned to specific campaigns.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities according to the Institute’s and University’s policies, procedures, and applicable laws.
• Handle hiring, training, performance appraisals, and problem resolution as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of five years progressively responsible experience in fundraising and administration or related transferable experience, including strong project management, multi‑channel direct marketing campaigns, and data‑analysis leadership.

• Experience in higher education or nonprofit setting preferred.
• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to collaborate with varied constituencies, excellent written and oral communication.
• Proven track record in a dynamic, evolving fundraising environment.
• Ability to function at a high level within a complex organization.
• Judgment and discretion when dealing with confidential information.
• Experience with prospect tracking systems (e.g., BSR Advance), CRM (e.g., Salesforce), email marketing tools, and social media platforms.
• Experience managing donor engagement events.
• A sense of humor, problem‑solving mindset, and collegial spirit.

• Based in Cambridge, MA; hybrid role with onsite and remote work.
• Typical office setting requiring extended computer work and meetings.
• Occasional evening and weekend work for events and donor meetings.
• Occasional domestic travel for prospects and events.
• Manage multiple deadlines in a…