Senior Director Campaign Priorities & Initiatives Harvard University Cambridge

Job description
Duties & Responsibilities
This full-time, exempt position is a member of the Campaign Priorities and Initiatives team and reports to the Executive Director, Campaign Priorities and Initiatives. The Sr. Associate Director is responsible for developing and driving fundraising strategy for assigned campaign priorities and academic initiatives with a focus on identifying, cultivating and soliciting six, seven and eight figure gifts. The Sr. Associate Director will staff faculty, deans and sr. administrators, keeping these and other key stakeholders apprised of fundraising activity and progress.
The Sr. Associate Director will collaborate with partners across the University Development Office and other Schools where common initiative and priority efforts are in place, and also staff, if applicable, related campaign volunteers. The Sr. Associate Director will work with faculty, sr. administrators, deans and colleagues across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences including academic planning, communications and donor relations, regional giving, research, operations and reunion and annual campaigns to develop and refine pipelines, articulate fundraising and gift opportunities, coordinate volunteer engagement, and drive fundraising activity across the frontline. In addition to managing a prospect portfolio, the Sr. Director will partner with colleagues to develop and drive the fundraising program on the frontline, work with campaign leaders and lead volunteer engagement. The Sr. Associate Director is a key partner with and resource for fundraisers, and others responsible for solicitations to the initiative or priority, responding to donor interest, and interacting with donors and prospects during gift discussions as needed.

The initial focus of this role will be on the Center for African Studies. The Sr. Associate Director must demonstrate an interest and enthusiasm for Africa, and for the mission, programs, and initiatives of the Center for African Studies. Experience with development for Africa-related initiatives, or non-Western regions of the world preferred. Over time, as fundraising goals are met and the Campaign Priorities and Initiatives team evolves, the Sr. Associate Director may be asked to assume responsibility for different priority or initiative areas.

The ideal candidate has experience as a frontline fundraiser; has a record of successfully closing gifts; and has a comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles and practices. This position requires the highest levels of professionalism, collegiality, self-motivation, collaboration and organization. The Sr. Associate Director must possess excellent communication skills, including the ability to write persuasively and quickly develop strong relationships with internal and external constituencies to promote a positive collaborative spirit.


Serve a strategic fundraising lead including creating and managing campaign efforts and staffing, advising and educating academic principals associated with designated campaign priority/initiative.
Coordinate, track and report on the fundraising progress against campaign goal(s).
Develop, refine and manage pipeline
Partner with frontline fundraisers within FAS and across the University to drive cultivation, engagement, and solicitation for major and principal gift prospects who have a stated or potential interest in the designated campaign priority/initiative.
Manage a portfolio of prospects.
Serve as strategic advisor on content development and event activity.
Help identify and shape specific funding needs and gift opportunities with fundraising partners and stakeholders.
Staff and brief senior academic administrators and faculty for prospect/donor visits, solicitations and events as necessary.
The above covers the most significant responsibilities of this position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.
Additional Qualifications
Strong strategic skills with demonstrated success in soliciting and securing major gifts, with a particular emphasis on devising sophisticated cultivation and solicitation strategies, and creative problem solving.
Knowledge of academic communities is required and knowledge of Harvard preferred.
Knowledge of Africa, particularly Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa preferred.
Superb organizational and analytical skills. Must be motivated to learn and flexible to change. Must be creative and proactive yet disciplined, discriminating and able to streamline work volume in order to maintain bottom line efforts in midst of multi-tasking and daily re-prioritizing. Must have ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, manage multiple projects simultaneously and handle even difficult situations with a sense of humor. Must be able to listen carefully as well as to influence and persuade others.
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 situations. Must have definite abilities to evaluate problems accurately and display good, sound and confidential judgment. Must maintain a professional and caring demeanor.
Excellent public speaking, presentation skills and written communication skills required.
Familiarity with academic communities, knowledge of Harvard and knowledge of Africa are assets.
Innovative and creative strategic contributor, strong listening skills as well as the ability to influence and persuade others.
Computer literacy required and digital strength a plus.
Must successfully complete a six-month orientation and review period.

Enter your email address:

Refer This Job To Your Friends And Help Them To Find Jobs!