Assistant Director of Development, Harvard College Fund, Annual Programs

This full-time, exempt position reports to the Senior Associate Director of Development, Annual Programs, for the Harvard College Fund (HCF). They plan and execute fundraising initiatives for College alumni one to nine years out from graduation, excluding those celebrating their fifth reunion. Working closely with staff and alumni leaders, the Assistant Director identifies, recruits, and manages the Recent Graduate Leadership Committee—a diverse and inclusive group of volunteers who model giving and service, engage their peers, and encourage participation in the Harvard community. The Assistant Director cultivates and solicits annual support for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, with a particular emphasis on flexible, current-use gifts to HCF, and occasionally travels to meet with alumni donor prospects and volunteer leaders. This position requires a command of basic fundraising principles, a high level of organization, professionalism, and a broad familiarity with the objectives of volunteer management, and annual, capital, and planned giving fundraising. Strong written and oral communication skills are mandatory for this role.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
In partnership with the Sr. Associate Director of Development, the Assistant Director will develop and execute strategies to build and grow recent graduate philanthropy and volunteerism.
Responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding unassigned alumni prospects in assigned classes with a focus on both participation and leadership giving:
Determines independently, and with management assistance, solicitation strategies for prospects
Conducts participation and leadership-level solicitations of unassigned prospects
Enlists and manages volunteer leadership
Serve as the primary staff contact for the HCF Vice Chairs for Recent Graduates and engage them in setting the strategy for the Recent Graduate Leadership Committee.
Establish a calendar
Set goals
Monitor metrics
Plan and execute volunteer meetings and engagement events
Report results
In partnership with the Vice Chairs for Recent Graduates, manage the Harvard College Fund Recent Graduate Leadership Committee (RGLC).
Collaboratively and independently identify, enlist, and manage volunteers, setting clear expectations around roles and responsibilities
Make solicitation assignments for volunteers and provide them with ongoing support and resources to enable them to successfully close gifts
Appropriately steward committee volunteers, ensuring a rewarding and fulfilling experience
Partner with reunion officers to facilitate a reciprocal pipeline between the RGLC and reunion campaigns.
Incorporate continuous training and preparation into the committee’s work to ensure the volunteers’ success as they move into their 5th and 10th Reunion Campaigns and in support of FAS and HCF priorities and goals
Collaborates with the HCF Management Team; Major Gifts; Gift Planning; Principal Gifts; Harvard Alumni Association (College Alumni Programs); FAS Research and Prospect Management; Gift Administration; Business Process & Operation; Advancement Communications, Events & Donor Relations; volunteers; and donors to further the cause of Harvard engagement and fundraising efforts.
Direct work for and mentor a shared, full-time Development Assistant and Coordinator.
Collaborate 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.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of 4 years of experience in university fundraising and administration or related transferable experience.
This position requires flexibility for overnight travel and work outside of core business hours. Travel expectations require approximately 20% of time during the year, not including preparation for, execution of, or follow-up on, these trips.
Must have experience with Microsoft Windows and databases.
Required to work onsite in the Cambridge, MA office on assigned days weekly and may be asked to also come in for additional meetings outside of the assigned days.
You will be expected to work certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each Spring, and participate in department retreats that are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Knowledge of academic communities is required. Demonstrated success in annual or capital giving or applicable ability, writing fundraising materials, devising sophisticated cultivation and solicitation strategies, and events management. Proven ability to motivate, engage and work with alumni, university officials, faculty, and staff or similar constituencies.
Must have definite abilities to evaluate problems accurately and display good, sound and confidential judgment.
Must be motivated to learn and flexible to change. Must have ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, manage multiple projects, and handle difficult situations with tact and a sense of humor.
Must be highly organized, detail oriented and efficient. Must exhibit great attention to detail and have the ability to produce clear documentation.
Excellent public speaking and presentation skills and written communication skills required. Must be creative and proactive yet disciplined, discriminating, and able to streamline work volume to maintain bottom line efforts in midst of multi-tasking and daily re-prioritizing, with manager’s guidance.
Must be a professional, confidential, honest, and trustworthy person.
Must have an even disposition and be able to deal effectively and politely with people from all types of backgrounds and experience and in all types of difficult situations. Must maintain a professional and caring demeanor and have a strong work ethic.
Must be collaborative, conscientious, and results oriented. Must be able to listen as well as to influence and persuade others.

Skills
Documentation

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Hybrid