Assistant Director, Reunion and Leadership Giving
harvarduniversity
Boston, MA, United States · Boston · United States
Posted May 21, 2026
- Full-time
- Hybrid
- External Relations
- Mid-Senior Level
harvarduniversity
Boston, MA, United States · Boston · United States
Posted May 21, 2026
Company Description By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. Why join Harvard Business School? Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business. Job Description Job Summary: The Assistant Director is a frontline fundraising position responsible for managing class-based reunion fundraising campaigns and securing leadership gifts from alumni. Directly oversees reunion fundraising activity, including volunteer management, for a portfolio of classes to primarily raise support from alumni for the HBS Fund. Cultivates, solicits, and stewards gifts of five-, six-, and seven-figures from a portfolio of class-based prospects. Identifies, enlists, and manages volunteer leadership who serve as partners in driving class fundraising activities and leads class fundraising committee meetings and calls. Develops and/or collaborates on class campaign and individual prospect strategies. This position requires a strong command of fundraising principles, a familiarity with the objectives of reunion and leadership giving fundraising, a high level of organization and professionalism, and the ability to work with a sophisticated and high-level alumni constituency. Job-Specific Responsibilities: Oversees a portfolio of reunion and non-reunion classes and is responsible for the development and management of class gift committees. Identifies and recruits class leadership and fundraising volunteers, sets goals, develops and implements class fundraising plans as well as collaborates with class leaders and colleagues on individual prospect strategies. Manages a portfolio of leadership gift prospects (reunion and non-reunion). Cultivates, solicits, and stewards alumni; coordinate with Gift Opportunities team on proposals and gift agreements; partners with Donor Relations team on stewardship of named funds. Determines and executes fundraising strategies to increase reunion class giving, including personal cultivation and solicitations, management of peer-to-peer solicitations, appeals, events, stewardship activities, and strategic visits by School leadership. Analyzes fundraising activity to identify ideas for improvement in both dollars raised and participation. Advises on class fundraising strategies, participates in class leadership conference calls, surveys class leadership and donor prospects, and determines solicitation strategies for leadership gift prospects. Works to increase dollars, educate volunteers, and drive donor retention and acquisition in both reunion and non-reunion classes. Collaborates regularly across HBS Development and External Relations to promote strategies to move prospects through the gift cycle and to further the case for HBS Fund support. Conducts approximately 75 personal visits annually for recruitment, volunteer management, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship purposes. Solicitation activity focused on Investors Society gifts of $25,000 and above. Identifies prospects for longer-term institutional engagement and giving. Partners with Direct Marketing colleagues on development of reunion appeals strategy. Strategically plans events and programs in support of fundraising activities and partners closely with Alumni Relations to ensure partnership between Reunion fundraising and Reunion program committees and activities. In collaboration with Reunion and Leadership Giving leadership, works on special projects to advance overall fundraising objectives. Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents. This role is responsible for other duties as assigned. Working Conditions: Ability and willingness to travel and work occasional weekends and evenings is required. Qualifications Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required Minimum five years of experience in fundraising and administration and/or related transferable experience. Additional Qualifications and Skills: This position requires a strong command of fundraising principles, a high level of organization, professionalism, and a familiarity with the objectives of reunion, annual, and unrestricted-gift fundraising. Demonstrated success in reunion and/or leadership giving, devising cultivation and solicitation strategies, volunteer management, and event management. Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style are essential. Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced and goal-oriented environment. Must have the ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, manage multiple projects, and handle difficult situations. Must be able to listen as well as to influence and persuade others. A self-starter who can work effectively as a team member and promote collaboration in an environment of accountability. Must be motivated to learn and flexible to change. Proven ability to motivate, engage, and work with alumni and members of the Harvard University community, including high-level donors and leadership volunteers. Superior written and verbal communications skills. Computer literacy required; must have experience with Windows and databases. Additional Information Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education Other Information: This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice. We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role. A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity. Work Format Details This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts . Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment. Salary Grade and Ranges This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information. Benefits Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: Generous paid time off including parental leave Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one Retirement plans with university contributions Wellbeing and mental health resources Support for families and caregivers Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page . EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination . We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy . Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.