Duties & Responsibilities
Summary:

As a Principal Gift fundraiser in the University Development Office (UDO), the Senior Director plays a leadership role in shaping the University's U.S. West Coast engagement of individual principal gifts prospects and donors.

The position reports to the Senior Executive Director, UDO Principal Gifts and serves as a senior leader within the University Development Office. The Senior Director will be Cambridge based with a portfolio focused on University principal gifts prospects based in U.S. West Coast with a particular focus on California and Washington, but encompassing the broader region.

Fundraising activity will advance University academic priorities which includes school-based priorities as well as University-wide priorities as defined by the President and The Harvard Campaign. The Senior Director will work in close collaboration with senior academic and development administrators, and fundraisers at all Harvard schools with particular coordination with fundraisers within FAS and HBS.

The Senior Director will build and manage a principal gifts portfolio of select 50 active prospects, donors and volunteer leaders, and will expand the portfolio by identifying, engaging prospects with the capacity of giving $25 million or more. The Senior Director will need to be creative in identifying new prospects beyond the traditional Harvard donor base, as well as working closely with University volunteer leaders to identify and engage large donors in support of campaign priorities.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. With colleagues in UDO and across the schools serve as the lead strategist in advancing principal gifts fundraising on U.S. West Coast with a particular focus on California and Washington.

2. Serve as an active member of the Principal Gifts Team in helping to develop the best strategy for principal gifts prospects across the University.

3. Travel to the West Coast on average once a month to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.

4. Work closely with fundraisers and University service teams across Harvard to develop and manage engagement, solicitation and stewardship strategies for high capacity prospective donors.

5. Manage a personal prospect portfolio of prospects with the capacity to give $25 million or greater.

6. Plan, staff and brief senior academic administrators and faculty for prospect/donor visits and events as necessary.

7. Create and execute on events for cultivation, stewardship and solicitations to advance principal gifts.

8. Work with campaign leaders and volunteer leaders to build prospect and donor activity on U.S. West Coast

9. 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
The ideal candidate has a minimum of 12 years of experience as a seasoned fundraising professional with a successful track record of high-potential gifts raised.Additional Qualifications
The ideal candidate will bring some knowledge of the West Coast philanthropic environment, ideally with experience in high-level fundraising in California.

The ideal candidate has a sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles and practices, an understanding of different cultures and philanthropic environments.

Additionally the Senior Director will exhibit strong soft skills that include an ability to form strong relationships within the University and externally, an ability to leverage volunteer leadership in advancing donor relationships and gift discussions, an intellectual curiosity about the work of the University and 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.

Due to frequent interaction with senior administrators and faculty, the Senior Director must possess excellent communication skills, the ability to process and maintain confidential information, and ably lead others in moving prospect strategy forward.

The Senior Director will demonstrate professionalism, collegiality, self-motivation, and organization.
Additional Information
Lois L. Lindauer Searches has recently partnered with Harvard University on this search. Applicants must apply for this position by submitting an application on the Harvard Aspire website in addition to completing an application through Lois L. Lindauer Searches. Please submit your resume and cover letter to: http://www.lllsearches.com/

This role will have a 6 month probationary period.

Please include a cover letter with your application.

Skills testing may be a component of the interview process for this position.

The department of Alumni Affairs and Development at Harvard University is committed to diversity. We welcome applicants who bring varied experience, thought, and practice to the department s mission to maintain and enhance an engaged community of alumni and friends worldwide and to lead the University s fundraising efforts.

Harvard University Benefits Package
Vacation/Sick/Personal/Holidays: Harvard offers 3 (union roles) - 4 (exempt) weeks paid vacation, a paid holiday break between Christmas and New Year s Day, 12 paid sick days, 11.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days each year.
Medical/Dental/Vision Benefit: Harvard offers a variety of excellent medical, dental, and vision plans which all begin on the first day of employment.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted study options through participating Harvard Graduate Schools.
Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as parking options to assist employees in their daily commute to campus.
Wellness Options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation, and complimentary health services. There are also fee-based athletic facility memberships available at various locations around the university for employees.

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