Job Summary

This position will be based on our campus in Cambridge, MA, in a hybrid work environment.

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.

University Development Office (UDO)
UDO works closely with the offices of the President and Provost on central and cross-School development efforts; supports the fundraising objectives of the Schools; engages and recognizes donors at a university-wide level; fundraises from alumni and non-alumni for all parts of the University through principal gifts, international, planned giving and other effort; and coordinates engagement and stewardship strategies for a select group of top prospects.

Job Summary
We are seeking a Senior Associate Director of Priorities and Initiatives on the University Development Office (UDO) team within Harvard Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D). Reporting to the Director of Priorities and Initiatives, this position will develop and implement cross-University fundraising plans for priorities of the president and provost and a select set of faculty-led university-wide interfaculty initiatives. This position also provides fundraising guidance to a set of Harvard affiliates and units.

The successful candidate will have an entrepreneurial and creative approach to complex issues and prospect identification and engagement. The successful candidate is expected to engage, with intellectual curiosity, with academic content across the University, especially those pursuits that span multiple disciplines and Schools, in order to best engage with potential donors and support the many entities desiring funding.

This role is anything but routine, requiring its incumbent to react to opportunities, drive activity, and develop new approaches. This position requires thinking

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience in university fundraising or relevant transferable experience required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrated familiarity with academic content and experience working with faculty.
• The ideal candidate has a sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles and practices, an understanding of different cultures and philanthropic environments.
• Additionally, the Sr. Associate Director will exhibit strong soft skills that include an ability to form strong relationships within the University and externally, an ability to leverage volunteer leadership in advancing donor relationships and gift discussions, initiative, problem-solving skills, influence without authority, ability to create order without a blueprint and comfort with ambiguity and desired outcomes that are not necessarily quantitatively measured.
• As a member of the University Development Office (UDO), the candidate is expected to work in accordance with policies and procedures of Alumni Affairs and Development, and is expected to reflect our community values, including diversity, inclusivity, and belonging.
• This position may, at times, be in situations where expectation-management and diplomacy are warranted, with internal and external stakeholders.
• Some evening and weekend hours, as well as domestic and international travel, will be required in this position.
• The above covers the most significant responsibilities for this position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.

Additional Information

This position requires a 6 month orientation and review period.
Please include a cover letter with your application.

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.

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.

Vaccine Requirements: Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees are required to provide proof of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage. Harvard University Health Services employees and other health care individuals are also required to be up to date on vaccination as described by the CDC. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University's COVID-19 Information Website.

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.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)


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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