Director, Engagement and Stewardship

About the Role

The Director, Engagement and Stewardship will contribute to the overall leadership of the Center for Public Leadership (CPL), playing a key role on the Center’s senior leadership team in setting CPL’s institutional priorities and overseeing their implementation. This position will foster a culture, structure, and resourcing to advance the success of the Center and drive operational excellence. The Director serves as CPL’s lead partner with the Office of Alumni Relations and Resource Development (ARRD), crafting and implementing plans to deepen alumni engagement, support programmatic and organizational priorities, and achieve fundraising targets.

Externally, the Director represents CPL at events and meetings, travels to meet with prospects and donors, and manages key collaborative relationships that advance CPL's mission. The successful candidate will bring a proactive and strategic mindset, a commitment to CPL’s mission, and a dedication to fostering a strong team culture.

Responsibilities

• Design and support an engagement, development, and stewardship strategy to advance the priorities of the Center for Public Leadership, in close coordination with ARRD.
• Direct CPL’s alumni engagement and relationship-building efforts, including designing engagement approaches and launching new programs.
• Plan development and alumni engagement trips, working with ARRD and CPL leadership to set goals and metrics.
• Oversee stewardship of CPL councils, including the Leadership Council and Alumni Council, and refine council strategy as needed.
• Support the Faculty Director and Executive Director with development and engagement responsibilities, including attending meetings and events, preparing briefings, and managing follow-up correspondence and reports.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of donor and alumni events and activities, using data to recommend and implement improvements.
• Create processes to track and share data with internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with CPL, HKS, and ARRD communications teams to prioritize and create marketing and storytelling resources.
• Provide strategic direction for flagship CPL programs, including Hauser Leaders, the Gleitsman Award, the Gergen Summer Fellows Program, and related practitioner engagement activities.
• Oversee CPL events, including panels, guest speakers, and conferences.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders, including ARRD, University development teams, and OCPA, communicating CPL’s goals and collaborating on shared priorities.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and internal stakeholders, ensuring work stays within approved budgets.
• Directly manage a team, providing leadership, support, and guidance.
• Perform other responsibilities and serve in additional capacities as needed.
• Some work on nights, weekends, and travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 7 years’ relevant professional experience in development and alumni relations.
• Supervisory or team lead experience.

Skills

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated experience with decision-making based on sound judgment.
• Proven track record in building and leading teams.
• Experience building strong operations and systems.
• Entrepreneurial and creative, with a track record of piloting and testing new initiatives quickly.
• Experience developing, deepening, and stewarding relationships with donors and external stakeholders.
• Experience with proposal writing, including grants.
• Experience engaging with senior government officials, diplomats, and major donors.
• Demonstrated skill in strategic planning, agenda setting, and aligning resources with priorities.
• Compelling writing skills with the ability to tailor messages to target audiences.

Additional Information

This is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment, ending one year from the date of hire, with the strong possibility of renewal. Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

This position is based on campus in Cambridge, MA, with the possibility of some flexible work arrangements. 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.

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.