Development Assistant, Major Gifts

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.

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) is a dedicated team supporting Harvard’s advancement activity through front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, prospect management and research, business process, events, communications, and many other areas. Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages diverse talents, perspectives, and experiences to deliver strong results and make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. We strive to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement, innovation, open communication, and effective information sharing.

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 interested in building a career within higher education and learning more about alumni affairs and development.

Responsibilities

• Provides support for all aspects of fundraisers’ prospect management, including data gathering, input and maintenance; drafting prospect 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 accurately and in a 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 in a timely manner; 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 such as donors and/or alumni both domestically and internationally with guidance from manager.
• Cultivates favorable relationships and works closely throughout the year with colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development to help accomplish department and team goals.
• May help facilitate communications with various FAS constituents from the officers.
• 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 Major Gifts team and FAS Development during times of peak activity or staff transition.
• Works closely with other members of the 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. Up to 2 weeks’ notice will be provided for 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.
• Expected to attend meetings, work certain events/campus activities (e.g., reunions each Spring), and participate in department retreats 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.
• Good judgement, rigorous attention to detail, and ability to handle sensitive/confidential information with discretion.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work competently and efficiently in a multi-task environment.
• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation; ability to accurately proofread and edit correspondence.
• Strong interpersonal skills including 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.

Additional Information

This position has been determined to allow some duties to be performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department based on 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. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location; individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

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

Orientation and review period: 3 months.

Standard hours/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.