Executive Director, Harvard Gift Planning

harvarduniversity

Cambridge, MA, United States · Cambridge · United States

Posted May 29, 2026

Full-time
Hybrid
Alumni Affairs and Development
Not Applicable

Job description

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 & 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. 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 Harvard seeks an innovative and experienced fundraising leader and strategic thinker to lead the gift planning program in University Development. Harvard’s gift planning program has a long history of leadership and expertise and the trusts under management comprise the largest program in the industry. Harvard Gift Planning (HGP) serves as the primary planned giving strategists and front-line fundraisers for eight Schools and several non-school units, while also serving all of Harvard as a resource for policies, procedures, lead generation, industry trends, knowledge capture, marketing coordination, staff training, and convening of peers for discussion of best practices. Reporting to the Senior Executive Director, University Development, the Executive Director, Harvard Gift Planning, will develop, implement, and oversee a proactive planned giving fundraising strategy that continues to create industry best practices and adds value to the fundraising of all of Harvard’s Schools and Units, while providing excellent donor relationship management. The Executive Director will serve as a programmatic leader, team manager, and front-facing fundraiser, serving as a point person for gifts at the principal gifts level. The Executive Director will serve as a collegial partner to the Directors in the Harvard Schools that have planned giving teams and will lead the department’s relationship with School and unit partners to whom the team delivers services, and helping to drive activity for those units. Job-Specific Responsibilities: Develop and execute a comprehensive plan to grow the University-wide planned giving program, including measurable goals to ensure the identification, engagement, and solicitation of donors and prospects across the university. Plans in the context of a multi-stakeholder environment. Oversee an integrated, coordinated, and effective communications, engagement, marketing, and recognition program. Convene planned giving professionals university-wide to facilitate discussions of innovations and best practices; assess how innovations in the industry could inform Harvard’s strategy; evaluate new approaches; and make informed decisions. Lead a collaborative approach to the creation and management of university policies related to planned gifts. Create forums to evaluate programmatic innovations, opportunities, and growth. Ensure a thorough infrastructure to oversee the health of Harvard’s planned gifts and their impact to the University. Oversee the integration of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences gift planning program into HGP, including: restructuring HGP with a portion of the team dedicated to working with FAS alumni and raising gifts in support of FAS priorities; evaluating which processes are duplicative under the new structure and where FAS-specific needs must be maintained; working with key FAS stakeholders to ensure school-based gift planning needs will be met under the new structure. Manage a team of 10+ staff members. Recruit, hire, onboard, train, provide timely feedback, and support professional development of the team. Treat all team members and colleagues according to AA&D culture. Optimize and value the contributions, historical knowledge, and expertise of each member of the team. Liaise with external trust administration vendor on programmatic aspects in partnership with the Executive Director of the Office of Gift Administration and also in collaboration with the School planned giving directors. Identify and pursue opportunities to strengthen communication and collaboration with key partners across AA&D.. For Schools without their own in-house planned giving departments, collaborate with School fundraising leadership to set goals and expectations for planned giving fundraising and services to be provided by UDO to the School and report regularly on progress toward goals. Manage a small portfolio of prospects to cultivate, solicit and steward. Formulate individualized solicitation strategies for planned giving prospects and provide strategy for prospects in team members’ portfolios. Serve as a point person for gifts at the principal gifts level, particularly complex gifts of non-cash assets that require close interaction with the Office of Gift Administration. In consultation with donors’ advisers, internal partners, and outside counsel, provide donors with legal and tax information regarding bequests and life income gifts. Draft and review gift illustrations, policies and procedures and legal documents as needed in concert with our consultants, advisors, and counsel. Respond to inquiries concerning planned gifts and bequests in a timely manner. Effectively partner with AA&D departments that provide services to the planned giving program to meet goals and objectives. Ensure implementation of systems and process throughout AA&D to best leverage existing expertise. Maintain internal communication among those involved in driving and supporting planned giving efforts across the University. Maintain technical expertise and current knowledge of industry trends and tax laws relevant to planned giving to ensure Harvard is at the leading edge of innovation on planned gifts such as remainder trusts, lead trusts, donor advised funds, charitable gift annuities, bequests, life insurance, IRA QCDs and gifts of complex assets. Qualifications Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree. 15 or more years of experience in planned giving or related field. 10 or more years of management experience in a leadership position. Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel as necessary for donor and colleague meetings and events. 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: Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and implement sophisticated fundraising strategies for the successful cultivation and solicitation of major and principal gifts using planned giving techniques. Expert knowledge of planned giving instruments in a non-profit setting or financial planning/trust administration. Verified success in building and managing a high-performing team. Ability to create and drive strategic planning, develop annual team and individual goals and work plans, and monitor performance based on both quantitative and qualitative factors. Proven success in leading through change and developing relationships across a complex organization. Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills, and the ability to effectively engage with all levels of staff, leadership, donors, donors' financial and legal advisors. Ability to express concisely and persuasively the mission and priorities of the University to all people of differing temperaments, backgrounds, and philosophies. Ability to apply good judgment and discretion when dealing with highly confidential donor and prospect information. Computer literacy required must have experience with Windows-based PCs, prospect databases, and videoconferencing platforms. 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, Criminal and Credit. #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 061. 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.