Director, Principal Gifts

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

As a principal gifts frontline fundraiser in University Development, the Senior Director plays a leadership role in shaping Harvard’s engagement with individual principal gifts donors and prospects who have the potential to make 8- and 9-figure gifts to the University. 

The position reports to the Senior Executive Director for University Development and serves as a senior fundraiser for the University. The Senior Director will manage a principal gifts portfolio of around 50 active prospects, donors, and volunteer leaders, primarily located on the west coast, and will expand the portfolio by identifying and engaging new prospects with the capacity of giving $10 million or more.

The role will be responsible for advancing University priorities, which include School-based priorities as well as central and University-wide priorities as defined by the President and Provost. The Senior Director will work in close coordination with senior academic and development leaders, and fundraisers across Harvard Schools. 

The ideal candidate has a sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles and practices, and the ability to inspire confidence and trust in others, form strong relationships within the University and externally, and leverage volunteer leadership in advancing donor relationships and gift discussions. The candidate will also demonstrate an intellectual curiosity about the work of the University, an ability to translate a broad range of academic areas into inspiring visions for donors, and a high level of adaptability and flexibility as needs and priorities change.