Career Center

This position will be based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic this position will be remote until further notice.

Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) comprises the University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, and the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). There is a unique relationship between the University and the FAS fundraising operations, resulting from a long history in which University fundraising ultimately grew out of College fundraising.

Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development
FAS Development is responsible for the fundraising efforts supporting the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, including Harvard College, the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. FAS Development staff work with Harvard College donors, alumni, parents, and friends who provide critical support for the FAS and often for other parts of the University.

Summary:
As a member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Academic and Donor Engagement (ADE) team, this full-time, exempt position reports to the Director of Development, FAS ADE. ADE manages and implements donor engagement strategies and activities involving the FAS Dean, SEAS Dean, academic deans and faculty, and senior academic administrators and development leadership, including event programs and donor/prospect meetings. To accomplish this, we build strategic partnerships within Development and across the FAS to coordinate donor cultivation and stewardship strategies that include faculty and senior academic leaders. This position will also work closely with the Managing Director, Major Gifts, SEAS to execute on all SEAS related activity.

This role will manage the SEAS Dean's Cabinet, comprised many of the School's largest and largest potential donors, devising an annual roadmap of engagement for the Cabinet and any related Task Forces. This position is responsible for agenda creation, content development, meeting materials, and communications for all Cabinet activity in partnership with the Managing Director. S/he will partner with Task Force co-chairs and lead Task Force conference calls, deepening this group's relationship with the SEAS Dean, The Paulson School and Harvard more broadly. This position will also collaborate closely with assigned frontline fundraisers to ensure Cabinet/Task Force engagement is aligned with and complementary to prospect strategy. S/he will also coordinate closely with senior administration at SEAS as well as faculty as required. This position will assume other volunteer management responsibility as needed to support FAS priorities.

The Assistant Director will be responsible for program creation for all SEAS focused events. This will include informing event strategy and collaborating closely with partners across FAS Development. As a key participant in event planning meetings, this position will bring content specialization to programmatic development and serve as the primary liaison with SEAS on event concept, program, talking points and associated presentations. This position is responsible for developing a strong understanding of FAS and SEAS priorities and working with the SEAS Dean to identify faculty who can effectively convey priorities, represent cutting edge research, and align with prospect interests. In addition to SEAS events, this position also maintains a portfolio of FAS development event programming. Advises development staff on FAS faculty/administrators to participate in events. This position would maintain a deep knowledge of faculty across FAS, their activity, and research in order to advance development activity.

Coordinates and communicates with fundraisers on event and donor engagement strategies. Works to ensure that high-level donor engagement strategies are developed/implemented in ways that advance the fundraising priorities of the FAS and University. In addition to Harvard alumni and friends, this client-service position interacts with administrators, faculty, and staff. This position includes administrative duties and may include other responsibilities and projects as determined by manager.

• Oversees and manages all SEAS Cabinet Activity including the creation of agendas, meeting content, and meeting materials for review by Managing Director and SEAS Dean.
• Drafts and coordinates all Cabinet materials (briefings, handouts, pre-reads, etc.) and communications for Cabinet and related Task Forces.
• Staffs cabinet meetings and annual task forces. Oversees the onboarding on new volunteers and is responsible for drafting key recommendations that are developed by Cabinet discussion and/or Task Forces.
• Develops speaker/academic programming and content for a range of development events, working closely with fundraisers and event planning colleagues. Oversees briefing process (in-person and written) and follow-up for speakers.
• Manages information flow and decision-making processes, including collaboration with other development departments and Harvard academic offices. Researches, identifies, and vets newer faculty for participation in development programming.
• Works with the Director and Managing Director to develop fiscal year plans for Cabinet and Task Force activity.
• Oversees the work of a coordinator who supports SEAS Cabinet and Task Force activity.
• Coordinates and communicates with fundraisers on donor engagement strategies. Works to ensure that strategies are developed/implemented in ways that advance the fundraising priorities of the FAS and University.
• Writes, reviews/edits, and distributes event briefings.
• As needed, responsible for donor engagement and team process projects at the direction of the Director.
• Attends planning meetings, training sessions, events, and conferences as necessary.
• Cultivates favorable working relationships with institutional and external constituencies. Provides highest level of client service.
• The above covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. It does not exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.

This position requires a 3 month orientation and review period.
Please include a cover letter with your application.

About Harvard University
Harvard University, based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, was established in 1636 and is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The University is home to over 20,000 students and employs 18,000 people, making us the fifth-largest employer in Massachusetts. Harvard is a special place, filled with diverse, energetic, and talented people who are driven to grow and succeed. By working here, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise.

Why AA&D?
We are a dedicated team of 400 alumni affairs and development professionals supporting Harvard's advancement activity through roles that include front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, events, communications, prospect management and research, business process, talent management and many other areas.

Harvard's Alumni Affairs and Development team inspires and galvanizes alumni, friends, and members of the University community to support Harvard through philanthropy, governance, and active engagement. AA&D believes a workplace that reflects the diversity of our society and our ever-evolving University constituency makes us a stronger and more effective organization. Our goal is to create an environment of respect that values the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community, 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. AA&D strives to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, innovation and sharing of information in our daily interactions and our work.

Discover AA&D and Harvard University Benefits

• Opportunities for internal advancement
• A creative, high- energy, collaborative environment
• Generous Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Holiday pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits starting on your first day
• University-funded retirement plans
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Transportation benefits to help with your daily commute
• Health and wellness discounts, memberships and programs

Additional benefits can be found at https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards.

Accommodations: Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please let your recruiter know.

Vaccine Requirements: The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard's Vaccine & Booster Requirements. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University's COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University's

• A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience; preferably in a fundraising and/or academic environment
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• Proven ability in project management
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software
• Occasionally work additional evening, weekend hours, and limited travel

• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to establish and promote good working relationships with alumni, colleagues, faculty, administrators, and students. Experience working directly with volunteers preferred. Must be flexible and possess the ability to handle multiple tasks accurately under deadline pressure. Proven ability working in a complex organization and making informed decisions in the context of strategic organizational goals and policies. Must be able to work independently and take initiative. Must have ability to handle confidential materials with discretion.
• Must be a professional, proactive, creative, collaborative, conscientious, and results-oriented individual. Should have ability to think strategically and conceptually, and display sound judgment.
• Solid computer skills in a PC environment with the capability to master new software applications and technologies, including database management.
• Must be energetic, motivated to learn and open to change.
• Excellent speaking, writing, and client service skills required. Professional phone etiquette required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.