Executive Director, Principal & Major Gifts

Executive Director, Principal & Major Gifts
Harvard Kennedy School | Cambridge, MA (Hybrid)

The office of Alumni Relations & Resource Development (ARRD) at Harvard Kennedy School seeks an experienced, ambitious and mission-driven Executive Director to lead the Principal & Major Gifts program. This role secures and grows principal and major gifts support, engaging individuals with capacity to make gifts of $100K+, with focus on growing $1M+ and $25M+ gifts.

Department: Alumni Relations and Resource Development
Job Type: Full-time, Exempt
Salary Grade: 062

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a principal and major gifts team to increase gifts and pledges of $100K+ in alignment with school priorities
• Develop strategies and metrics to build the prospect pipeline and increase portfolio penetration
• Collaborate with Senior Associate Dean to develop strategies for increasing core and transformational revenue
• Manage, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of 15-25 principal and major gifts prospects
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteer leaders to extend reach for identifying and soliciting prospective donors
• Build relationships with faculty, executive directors, and senior management
• Develop annual operating plan forecasting solicitations, revenue, and visits

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of fundraising experience in complex higher education or similar organization
• At least 6 years' experience in Principal/Major Gifts
• Demonstrated track record of closing 6-, 7- and 8-figure gifts
• Experience managing a principal and major gifts team
• Direct experience partnering with senior leadership, faculty, and board members

This position is based on the Cambridge, MA campus. Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Harvard University is an equal opportunity employer.