Assistant Director of Development, Harvard College Fund

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, Communications, Events & Donor Relations, University Development and Advancement Solutions, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and AA&D Administration.

This full-time exempt position in the Harvard College Fund reports to a Managing Director of Development and is responsible for planning and executing Class Reunion fundraising efforts. The incumbent secures both capital and annual support from alumni with an emphasis on raising unrestricted, current-use funds for the College, in addition to other FAS priorities. They manage a portfolio of Harvard College alumni classes, and work closely with staff and alumni leaders to identify, recruit, and manage diverse and inclusive volunteer committees to maximize dollar and participation results.

The Assistant Director is responsible for developing and implementing class-wide fundraising plans and individual prospect strategies. Meets regularly over the course of the year with top donor prospects and volunteer leaders, both in-person and virtually, to qualify, enlist, solicit, and coordinate on volunteer activity.

• Manages Harvard College alumni classes in and out of reunion.
• Responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding top prospects in assigned classes:
• Determines independently, and with management assistance, solicitation strategies for prospects being targeted for Associates-level ($1,000+) asks.
  • Strategizes with prospect managers on prospects in their portfolio.
  • Solicits leadership- and associates-level gifts.
  • Enlists and manages volunteer leadership.
• Responsible for planning and managing a reunion gift campaign:
  • Establishes a calendar.
  • Sets goals.
  • Monitors metrics.
  • Reports results.
  • Conducts reunion gift committee meetings and calls.
  • Devises strategic social events.
• Responsible for the identification, enlistment, management, and stewardship of volunteers:
  • Works with HCF management, FAS Major Gift Officers, FAS and UDO Gift Planning Officers, and FAS and UDO Principal Gift Officers to identify key class leaders.
  • Intentionally guides conversations around diverse and inclusive representation.
  • Collaboratively and independently enlists volunteers, setting clear expectations around roles and responsibilities.
  • Strategically guides volunteer committees and their work in support of FAS and HCF priorities and goals.
  • Makes solicitation assignments.
  • Provides resources to facilitate solicitations.
  • Follows up to close gifts and document pledges.
  • Appropriately stewards volunteers ensuring a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
• Collaborates with the HCF Management Team, Major Gifts, Gift Planning, Principal Gifts, Harvard Alumni Association (College Alumni Programs), FAS Research and Prospect Management, Alumni & Development Services, Operations, Academic & Development Coordination, Academic & Donor Engagement, volunteers, and donors to further the cause of Harvard engagement and fundraising efforts.
• Directs work for and mentors a shared, full-time Development Assistant.
• Collaborates periodically on special projects with the HCF Management Team and the FAS and UDO fundraising staff broadly to further overall fundraising objectives.

The above covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 4 years of…