The Director of Donor Relations is charged with creating and implementing programs to recognize, engage and steward donors to Harvard Kennedy School. Working closely with fundraisers s/he will oversee stewardship reporting for all major gift donations. S/he will be proactive in implementing creative stewardship for top donors. S/he will advise development staff and HKS faculty and administrators on appropriate donor recognition and reporting. The Director will serve as a resource to the Kennedy School faculty and staff on gift term compliance and acknowledgement, including space recognition. S/he will also work with HKS finance and faculty/administrators to ensure that funds are being spent in accordance with gift terms, identifying opportunities for fund review and redeployment as appropriate. Develops a comprehensive Donor Relations program for HKS, including personalized recognition for the institution’s top prospects. Responsible for ensuring appropriate levels of stewardship across giving levels.
Specific Responsibilities include:
Serves as the primary stewardship officer for institutional benefactors, ensuring that their relationship with the institution is properly acknowledged and nurtured.
Manages the Donor Relations team to ensure the steady production of thoughtful, high-quality stewardship and related reporting to HKS donors and senior administrators.
Oversees drafting of gift proposals and terms, advising faculty and staff on terms compliance and working closely with HKS’s gift policy advisory committee to ensure that terms are reviewed and approved by HKS and University staff.
Working closely with the Communications team, writes and edits stewardship reports, special correspondence and other communications to donors. Drafts briefings for the Dean and other senior administrators for donor relations meetings and events.
Monitors unspent fund and works with Office of Financial Services to ensure that the School maximizes donor supported funds.
Ensures that pledge reminders, acknowledgements, donor listings, and financial reporting are executed in a timely manner and are accurate.
Serves as the primary point of contact for the University Donor Relations team and related donor relations committees, as well as with the University’s gift processing group.
Advises colleagues in Alumni Relations and Resource Development and across HKS on stewardship best practices, and drives the evolution of (i.e., improving and expanding) HKS’s donor relations activities.
Performs other responsibilities upon request, as needed, with or without accommodation. 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.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelors Degree required and7+ years of related experience in fundraising, stewardship, donor relations or a related field. Demonstrated experience building and planning donor relations function, knowledge of stewardship principles and experience managing events. Experience managing and developing staff is required.
Additional Qualifications
The successful candidate will be an action oriented and creative individual who is able to learn new and sometimes complex information quickly.This position requires a strong focus on the customer, both internal and external, and requires someone who can manage multiple, sometimes competing, priorities. The candidate will be ale to relate to a wide range of individuals and will have strong writing and presentation skills. He/she will be a strong manager who is committed to developing staff. Strong oral and written presentation skills. Knowledge of alumni affairs and development crucial, experience with volunteer or donor/prospect management required. Proven track record of sound judgment and problem solving skills. Experience with research and analysis. Strong knowledge of MS Office and ability to learn new software quickly.
Ability to work nights and weekends and to travel as required.
Pre-Employment Screening
Education
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