Executive Director

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, Advancement Communications, Events & Donor Relations (ACEDR), University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and Office of Talent, Administration and Policy (OTAP).

Job Description

Harvard seeks an innovative and experienced fundraising leader and strategic thinker to oversee University Development within AA&D, including corporate and foundation relations, international philanthropy, priorities & initiatives, and principal gifts ($10M-$100M). 

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Senior Executive Director will serve as a member of the UDAS senior leadership team and work in close coordination with senior academic and development leaders across Harvard. They will develop, implement, and oversee a proactive fundraising strategy to advance University priorities, which include School-based priorities as well as central and University-wide priorities as defined by the President and Provost, while ensuring excellent donor relationship management. A successful candidate will have demonstrated success in developing or implementing rigorous data-informed approaches to grow fundraising, with a commitment to collaboration, collegiality, and strong donor relationship management informed by shared trust. The Senior Executive Director will manage a modest portfolio of prospects with a primary focus on management activities that facilitate the success of University Development staff.