Director of Development

Job Summary:
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR) is committed to securing the financial resources, time, and loyalty of alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to promote the School’s work of educating new generations of global health leaders and producing powerful ideas that can transform the lives of people everywhere.
Reporting to the Managing Director of Development, the Director of Development (the Director) works within an entrepreneurial and dynamic School environment and closely collaborates with faculty, senior school administrators and University development colleagues to independently manage a portfolio of prospects who have the capacity to give $250,000 or more, secure funding for School priorities, and meet or exceed department revenue goals. The Director is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of major gift prospects in assigned regions. The Director will also play a leadership role in the annual strategy planning process, take on additional related projects, and recommend strategies to enhance fundraising in collaboration with senior staff and Harvard Chan colleagues, as well as Alumni Affairs and Development more broadly at Harvard. The incumbent will represent Harvard Chan School at events, meetings, and off-site presentations and will engage in extensive travel to meet with prospects and donors.
This position will contribute to meeting and exceeding department revenue goals by developing and executing prospect strategies, cultivating and stewarding prospects and donors and directly soliciting gifts. This position will also advise and work closely with faculty, leaders in School departments, centers and/or research programs to further their fundraising strategy in alignment with broad School priorities. The successful candidate will be a team player who collaborates freely and builds trust with donors, alumni, friends and school partners, including but not limited to the Office of Communications, Office for Research Strategy and Development and the University Alumni Affairs and Development team.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Manages a portfolio of 100-125 prospects in assigned regions and at various stages of their relationship. Travels approximately 50% of the time (local Boston and nationally as assigned). Some international travel may be required pending portfolio assignments.
Develops appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategy to enhance retention, grow revenue, and improve donor advancement. Will be required to meet annual individual revenue and moves management goals.
- Makes a minimum of 100 visits annually. Qualifies, progresses, and cultivates newly identified prospects and evaluates major gift potential and next steps. As needed, utilizes email, digital, and phone outreach to meaningfully contact prospects outside of typical travel areas.
In collaboration with the University Planned Giving office, develops educational marketing materials for donors and prospects, and participates in internal team training on planned giving trends and tax implications. Ensures compliance with University polices and guidelines.
Coordinates closely with faculty and administrators to provide guidance on, and help implement, fundraising strategy.
Works strategically with volunteers to encourage them to build bridges and utilize their networks to help Harvard Chan School develop stronger relationships with other prominent alumni and friends.
Drafts briefings and correspondence for faculty and School leader, including the Dean.
Works with the Vice Dean, Managing Director and ODAR colleagues to strategize and plan development trips. Coordinates all aspects of development travel including prospect identification and follow-up correspondence. Drafts contact reports.
Staffs faculty or senior administrators in meetings with donors.
Works with prospect management and research to ensure research and due diligence is completed.
Works with the ODAR development communications staff to ensure talking points are written for the Dean or other senior administrators for speaking engagements.
Drafts gift proposals and other materials with support from development communications and donor relations staff as needed.
Works closely with other Major Gift Officers, Alumni Affairs and other ODAR colleagues in the development of on-campus events and programs that will lead to increased high-level involvement of alumni, donors and friends.
The above covers the most significant responsibilities of this position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.
PLEASE NOTE: This role will require approximately 50% travel, mostly domestically, but may have the opportunity for some international travel as well. The role may occasionally require evening and weekend work to ensure smooth execution of events.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience is required.
8+ years of relevant experience is required.
Excellent communications skills, both oral and written.
Advanced understanding of fundraising. Work well in a busy office with competing demands; not easily flustered nor easily overwhelmed by a high volume of activity and projects.
Proven aptitude for successfully managing a robust portfolio, including setting priorities that enable meeting fundraising and visit goals.
Demonstrated track record in soliciting and closing six-and seven-figure gifts in a complex environment.
Experience working with a diverse constituency.
Strong knowledge of MS Office and experience learning new software quickly.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
International fundraising experience is a plus.
Integrity and trust with a demonstrated knowledge in managing highly confidential information.
Aptitude for creative problem solving.
Proficiency in analyzing and explaining data.
Experience with planned giving terms and strategies and the knowledge for guiding, collaborating and advising colleagues in planned giving preferred.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Hybrid