Development Assistant, Harvard College Fund

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

About the Role

The Development Assistant is an integral member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) development team. This full-time non-exempt position supports frontline gift officers to advance the philanthropic mission of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in building their career within higher education and learning more about alumni affairs and development.

Responsibilities

• Provides support to all aspects of fundraisers’ prospect and volunteer management, including data gathering, input and maintenance; drafting prospect/volunteer outreach, memos, correspondence, and reports.
• Develops and prepares necessary meeting and solicitation materials prior to prospect meetings and supports post-meeting action items.
• Achieves proficiency in the alumni/donor database to research prospects, organize data, and produce reports. Enters data in an accurate and timely manner.
• Partners with gift officers to write high-quality event briefings, event bios, and donor briefings.
• Maintains various reports to ensure accurate and current information on gift and donor totals, solicitation status, and prospects.
• Produces reports and lists using the Advance and Qlikview databases.
• Coordinates officers’ travel and expense reports; schedules meetings and maintains calendars; takes and distributes meeting notes and performs other administrative responsibilities as needed.
• Provides customer service to internal and external stakeholders upon request and as appropriate with guidance from manager.
• Cultivates favorable relationships and works closely throughout the year with colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development and with alumni, current students, volunteers, and/or parents to help accomplish department and team goals.
• Supports officers’ work with volunteer leaders on plans and activities to achieve committee goals and increase donor participation.
• Helps organize conference calls, prepares reports and materials for staff and volunteers, and staffs events (in person and virtual) as needed.
• May help facilitate communications with various FAS constituents from the officer and/or volunteer leaders to the broader community.
• Serves as a resource for policies, protocols, and procedures and strategizes ways for fundraising efforts to be more efficient and productive.
• May be asked to provide additional support for the broader Harvard College Fund team and FAS Development during times of peak activity or staff transition.
• Works closely with other members of the HCF support team to advance the goals of the department.
• Participates in various team and staff meetings throughout the year and is an engaged member of the team.
• Provides other job-related duties as required.

Working Conditions

Workplace role requirements outside of campus-based engagements required by AA&D/team or unit, such as reunion activities, retreats, etc. We will do our best to give you up to 2 weeks’ notice of these situations.

Requirements

• 1–2 years of related experience (education may count toward experience).
• Solid computer skills in a PC environment with the capability to master new software applications and technologies in database management, mail merges, and report generation.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
• Available to work additional evening hours if necessary. You will be expected to attend meetings, work certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each Spring, and participate in department retreats that are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA.

Qualifications

• College degree from an accredited institution strongly preferred.
• Must be focused, motivated to learn, and flexible to change.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, understand and follow policies and procedures, and accommodate change.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• The position requires good judgment, rigorous attention to detail, and the ability to handle sensitive/confidential information with discretion.
• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work competently and efficiently in a multi-task environment.
• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Requires the ability to accurately proofread and edit correspondence.
• Strong interpersonal skills that include excellent phone manner and personal presentation.
• Experience interacting with corporate executives and senior-level staff preferred.
• Knowledge of fundraising in a non-profit setting helpful.

Schedule

35 hours per week.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts.