Executive Director, Principal & Major Gifts

Executive Director, Principal & Major Gifts

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School

Department: Alumni Relations and Resource Development (ARRD)

Location: Cambridge, MA (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-time | Salary Grade 062

The office of Alumni Relations & Resource Development (ARRD) at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) seeks an experienced, ambitious and mission-driven Executive Director, Principal & Major Gifts to lead the school's Principal & Major Gifts (PMG) program. The Executive Director designs and implements creative strategies to substantially build pipelines for PMG, engaging individuals with the capacity to make gifts of $100k+, with a focus on growing $1m+ and $25m+ gifts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a principal and major gifts team to increase gifts and pledges of $100k+ to the school
• 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 and donors
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteer leaders to extend reach for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors
• Build effective working relationships with faculty, executive directors, and senior management
• Develop annual operating plan, forecasting solicitations, revenue, and visits

Basic 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/or board members

Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.