28-Sep-2023

Director of Development, Athletics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Alumni Affairs and Development

63941BR

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28-Sep-2023

Director of Development, Athletics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Alumni Affairs and Development

63941BR

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Job Summary

Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D)
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 University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

This role is part of the growing Faculty of Arts and Sciences Development team. It will complement an existing spirit of collaboration and entrepreneurship, along with a culture of aspirational thinking in support of a strong mission.

This senior fundraising leader in FAS Development will serve as the lead strategist in formulating and executing fundraising plans to advance athletics fundraising priorities approved by the Director of Athletics and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, working in partnership with major and principal gifts colleagues across FAS and University Development.  This leader will also manage a small team of high-performing staff with responsibilities for the oversight of annual giving fundraising with team-based “Friends” volunteers and the stewardship of the athletics donor community.  Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Development for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the incumbent in this role will serve as a key content expert within FAS Development on athletics priorities and the vision of the athletics director, as well as a knowledgeable and organizationally savvy partner to both the Assistant Dean and the Director of Athletics in engaging the range of key stakeholders in the athletics community including staff, alumni athletes, volunteers, parents, and donors around athletics fundraising priorities.

Position Description

This role requires a seasoned fundraiser with extensive major gifts experience resulting in the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and superb judgement in developing and executing the following activities.

• Serve as Athletics Director’s lead partner in FAS Development and initial point of contact for all fundraising related matters. Advise and partner with Athletics Director in ensuring the Director’s success in their engagement with donors and volunteers, including supporting the Director in building and expressing their vision in a manner that engages and inspires the prospective donor and volunteer community. Drive agenda and discussion for monthly leadership meetings with FAS Dean of Development, Assistant Dean of Development, Athletics Director and other fundraising staff. 

• Create and implement sophisticated annual and multiyear Athletics fundraising plans in support of the vision of Athletics Director and financial needs of the Athletics Department working with the FAS Dean of Development, FAS Assistant Dean of Development, Athletics Director, and the FAS Development Academic and Development Planning (ADP) team. Ensure plan alignment with FAS multi-year fundraising plan and partner with ADP to guide the development of compelling case statements and gift opportunities.

• Manage a targeted portfolio of alumni and parent prospects with the capacity to make six-seven-, and eight-figure gifts focusing on Athletics and other FAS priorities such as financial aid.  Responsible for meeting or exceeding assigned goals including but not limited to, goals for prospect visits, solicitations, successful gift closures, and dollars raised.

  • Responsible for acquiring a deep understanding of assigned prospects’ philanthropic interests, capacity, and inclination through in-person and virtual meetings.
  • Utilize knowledge of prospects’ interests, to develop and execute robust, multi-step prospect strategies. Strategically leverage academic leadership, faculty, and other members of the Harvard community leading to successful solicitation and closure of six-, seven-, and eight-figure gifts.
  • Foster relationships between prospective donors and the Athletics Director, academic leadership, faculty, and other members of the Harvard community to deepen a prospect’s engagement with Harvard.
  • Responsible for timely entry of contact reports and the accurate upkeep of prospect stage and solicitation records in the alumni database.

• Travel frequently with Athletics Director and in coordination with key Athletics events related to fundraising and prospect engagement.

• Manage Associate Director charged with oversight of stewardship and donor relations program and management of the Assistant Director who is responsible for Friends Groups annual fundraising efforts.

• Serve as key partner for all gift officers and FAS and Athletics leadership in developing and driving strategies to support athletics priorities with prospects with identified interests. Work closely with fundraisers within FAS Development, University Development Office, and other Harvard Schools to coordinate strategies for prospects with multi-school affiliations and/or interests.

• Serve as lead project manager and strategist for approved fundraising initiatives for capital projects and special initiatives, working with fundraising colleagues on prospect feasibility and pipelines and colleagues in Academic and Development Planning on project specific case materials, presentations, and gift opportunities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 12-15 years of experience in university fundraising or relevant transferable experience required.
• Ability to travel approximately 35% of working days.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Experience with fundraising for intercollegiate athletics or strong interest in athletics with a demonstrated ability to learn to be able to quickly function at a high level in this environment.
• Management experience and ability to inspire and lead a high performing and inclusive team.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders across the University with political savvy, as well as the ability to build trust with donors and their representatives, organizational leadership, and internal partners.
• Good judgment and discretion when discussing alumni and parent prospects and ability to build trust and maintain composure in difficult situations.
• Sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of stewardship, donor relations, and fundraising best-practices, including fundraising feasibility and fundraising planning.
• Strong active listening skills, including an ability to ask sensitive questions with tact.  Demonstrated ability to uncover interests, motivations, and objections from prospective donors, clients, or others strongly preferred.  Someone who is pleasantly persistent while exhibiting sound judgement.
• Willing to learn and embrace new ideas and be flexible and open to change.  Must be able to evaluate problems accurately and display good, sound judgment.
• Must have a natural affinity for collaboration, leading through influence, and a high level of emotional intelligence. Must be drawn to a challenge and exhibit the patience necessary to advance solutions in a complex and collaborative organization. Demonstrate a personal commitment to excellence as well as an ability to admit mistakes and exhibit patience. 
• Superb organizational skills and ability to think strategically and conceptually while managing multiple projects.
• Computer literacy required must have experience with Windows-based PCs and prospect databases.

Additional Information

• This position requires a 6 month orientation and review period.
• Please include a cover letter with your application. To learn more about the AA&D team, please visit our Careers site at https://alumni.harvard.edu/careers
  

To learn more about how Harvard supports diversity and inclusion throughout the University please visit the Office for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at https://dib.harvard.edu/.

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.

COVID 19 Vaccination Information:  The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University.  With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Alumni Affairs and Development

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

303060 Development Sr Specialist

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

---

Salary Grade

060

Department

Alumni Affairs and Development

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

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, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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