Job Summary

• Provide strategic direction and leadership during a transformation period, including spearheading the planning and execution of comprehensive fundraising initiatives, developed collaboratively, that align with the School?s evolving vision and goals.
• Innovate and implement strategies to engage and recruit a new generation of philanthropists, expanding our philanthropic base of supporters beyond traditional networks and cultivating lasting relationships for sustained organizational contributions.
• Develop and execute entrepreneurial fundraising initiatives aimed at expanding prospect pools beyond alumni and current donors, tapping into new networks and communities, and engaging them in meaningful mission-driven ways.
• Lead the organization?s principal gift efforts, taking responsibility for cultivating and securing transformative gifts that have significant impacts on our programs and mission.
• Personally manage a select portfolio of major donors while empowering and guiding the development team to achieve collective fundraising goals.
• Set ambitious fundraising targets and develop clear, actionable metrics to monitor progress and ensure accountability.

Position Description

• Work as a collaborative member of the leadership team to influence and address all matters of significance to HKS as directed by the Dean, as well as its international stakeholders and supporters.
• Serve as the CDO, personally managing a select portfolio of major donors, leading principal gift fundraising for the School, as well as participating in the creation and successful implementation of strategies and programs to support and fund the HKS? priorities.
• Serve as an articulate, engaging, and passionate spokesperson about public leadership and policy research, education, public service, and the unparalleled programs, alumni, and impact of HKS.
• Manage and nurture a strong team of development and alumni relations professionals, including recruitment, development, and retention of professional and support staff. Maintain a strong sense of teamwork and an environment of mentoring and support.
• Maintain current knowledge of important developments within national and international funding environments as they are related to the School?s mission and programs.
• Encourage and support the valuable ongoing relationships that currently exist between faculty and administrative leadership and prospects, donors, and alumni.
• Work closely with research centers and other high-profile program areas of HKS, as well as with the central University Development Office, to ensure organized, systematic, and unified fundraising and donor relations/communications strategies.
• Maintain effective working relationships between the HKS Alumni Relations and Resource Development Office and other academic and administrative units within the School and across the University.
• Work collaboratively with members of other external functions to develop consistent and effective strategies for development and alumni engagement. Implement strategies to achieve goals through cross-departmental/cross-institutional initiatives and teams.
• Participate as an active member of the Gift Proposal Advisory Committee (GPAC) to ensure that gift proposals and solicitations are thorough, effective, and consistent with School and University guidelines.
• Create and oversee a detailed annual budget for the Alumni Relations and Resource Development Office.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor?s degree required.
• Minimum of eight years of progressive leadership of multi-faceted development work in a complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience managing a team of professional staff.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of eight years of progressive leadership of multi-faceted development work in a complex organization, preferably in higher education or a complex organization with a mission that intersects with one of HKS? priorities.
• Proven track record of securing major and principal gifts, as well as effective fundraising, including broad-based knowledge of current and next-generation development programs, campaign design and execution, and advancement services.
• Deep experience partnering with volunteer leadership Boards, as well as recruiting, building, and managing volunteer leadership Boards.
• Demonstrated success in establishing, building, mentoring, and inspiring high-performing teams.
• Experience designing and implementing a strategic fundraising plan and guiding an organization?s leader, senior leadership, and wider staff in the fulfillment of their fundraising responsibilities.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills with experience in development-related writing.

Additional Information

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 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

About Harvard University Kennedy School

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

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