Deputy Director of Development, Major Gifts
harvarduniversity
Cambridge, MA, United States · Cambridge · United States
Posted May 28, 2026
- Full-time
- Hybrid
- Alumni Affairs and Development
- Not Applicable
harvarduniversity
Cambridge, MA, United States · Cambridge · United States
Posted May 28, 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 University Central Administration? Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals. 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. Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees; 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. We strive to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation; and open communication and effective information sharing in our daily interactions and our work. AA&D is comprised of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, Communications, Events & Donor Relations, University Development and Advancement Solutions, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and AA&D Administration. Job Description Job Summary: The Deputy Director, a full-time exempt position on the FAS Major Gifts team, will lead, mentor, and manage a team of gift officers to generate philanthropic support from their assigned portfolios. In addition to management responsibilities, this person will also manage a select portfolio of FAS prospects capable of making gifts at the six-, seven-, and eight-figure level. Job-Specific Responsibilities: Manages a group of fundraisers, who will work as part of the FAS Major Gifts team to qualify, solicit, and steward College, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences alumni, parents, and friends in specified geographic regions for six and seven figure gifts, with a keen eye towards blended solicitations involving flexible current use support, gift planning vehicles, and the potential for complicated asset involvement. Manages all day-to-day aspects for the direct reports, including weekly 1:1 meetings, ensuring gift officers are tracking towards their goals using metrics as one tool to celebrate successes and opportunities. Give consistent, timely feedback and positive reinforcement to foster a culture of learning and development. Recruits, hires, trains and manages a team of Major Gifts officers. Mentors, counsels, and motivates the staff to raise maximal funds possible in a professional, ethical and mission-informed manner. Partners with the Senior Director of Major Gifts to ensure execution of regional planning, strategy, and engagement, including participation in regular meeting series, management of prospect pipelines, leveraging the use of academic and administrative leadership and alumni volunteers, and determining appropriate event staffing. Responsible for successfully meeting annual goals with a select portfolio of households capable of making six-, seven- and eight-figure gifts at various stages of their relationship with Harvard throughout the gift cycle. Strategy is often set in conjunction with other officers in the FAS and University Development Offices. Annual portfolio metrics will be reviewed with the Senior Director of Development, Major Gifts, and progress towards goals will be evaluated regularly. Onboards new fundraisers as needed and develop their plans for annual goal setting, and performance management. Ensures officers are progressing to goals and adhering to prospect management procedures through collaboration with Major Gifts leadership team meetings and retreats. Develops efforts team-wide in partnership with leadership team that involve coaching and assistance in building prospect strategies and content fluency through leadership and participation in breakout sessions, weekly Ramp Up meetings, and individual check-ins. In partnership with the other managers on the FAS Major Gifts team, assess training needs, implement individualized training and development plans and curriculum utilizing internal and external resources to provide education and professional development opportunities for gift officers. Collaborates with colleagues in Research and Prospect Management to determine appropriate portfolios for direct reports and appropriate prospect transitions between Leadership Giving and Major Gifts. Manages a select portfolio of FAS prospects capable of making gifts at the six-, seven-, and eight-figure level. Coordinates the development and maintenance of relationships with these prospects and ensures that relevant University and FAS colleagues are involved and/or informed where appropriate or advisable. May participate in University-wide committees and work on special projects as needed. This position requires overnight travel; availability/flexibility to travel is required for this position. Travel expectations require approximately 10% of time spent on the road not including preparation for, execution of, or follow-up on, external visits. Other appropriate duties that arise. Qualifications Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum of 6 years of experience in university fundraising or relevant transferable experience strongly preferred. Previous management of frontline fundraisers preferred. 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: Strong ability to quickly earn trust from staff and prospects. Must have demonstrated experience engaging prospects/clients in thoughtful, personal conversations with tact and diplomacy. Must be mission-driven, intellectually curious, and have a demonstrated ability to work well with others in a collaborative manner. Requires attention to detail, poise, and diplomacy given interaction with senior administration members and senior faculty; superb written and oral communication skills; flexibility; and the ability to multi-task without losing focus on both short- and long-term goals. Advanced knowledge of fundraising strategies and techniques preferred; experience managing a prospect pool and a proven record of moving prospects strategically through stages of identification, cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship. Experience briefing and staffing high-level academic or other leaders in prospect meetings. Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information. Proven track record of closing six and seven figure gifts and/or relevant transferrable experience strongly preferred. Willingness to learn and embrace new ideas and be flexible and open to change. 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 or challenging situations. Must be able to evaluate problems accurately and display good, sound judgment. Ability to think strategically and innovatively, to develop new ideas, and to gain stakeholder buy-in, which results in the successful execution of plans and programs. Is committed to an organizational culture of collaboration and respect. Possesses a supportive and accessible leadership style which inspires individuals to hold themselves to the highest expectations. Has the ability to lead and motivate direct reports and to lead with influence across different departments. Excellent interpersonal, public speaking, written communication, and presentation skills required. Computer literacy required and experience with Windows-based PCs and prospect management databases preferred. Additional Information Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week Orientation and Review Period: 6 months Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education Please submit a cover letter with your application. #LI-JP1 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 059. 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.