Managing Director, Development

Company Description

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.

Why join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health?

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a world‑renowned institution dedicated to advancing public health through cutting‑edge research, education, and global collaboration. Our school is a special place to work because of its vibrant, mission‑driven community, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing some of the most pressing health challenges worldwide. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, continuous learning, and work‑life balance are valued.

Job Description

Job Summary

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR) is committed to securing the financial resources, time, and loyalty of alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to support the School’s work of educating new generations of global health leaders and producing powerful ideas that can transform the lives of people everywhere.

The Managing Director, Development (MDD) is a full‑time exempt position responsible for the leadership and management of ODAR’s development functions that include principal gifts, major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, prospect management and gift planning in collaboration with the University Development Office (UDO). The MDD also works collaboratively with colleagues across the School, including the Office of Communications, Office of Research Strategy and Development (ORSD), and the Office of Financial Services (OFS), as well as colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D), Harvard Schools, UDO and other university‑wide partners.

The MDD will work closely with the Vice Dean and School leadership to shape, articulate, and advance fundraising goals in support of Harvard Chan priorities. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for developing and executing high‑level fundraising and prospect strategies to enable the realization of established goals and objectives in support of the annual and multi‑year fundraising objectives for Harvard Chan School.

In addition, the MDD will work closely with the Vice Dean and other Managing Directors to shape team culture and develop policies, practices and services that are facilitated across teams and through collaboration with the University Development Office.

In close partnership with the ODAR Senior Leadership Team (OSLT), the MDD is responsible for integrating and unifying gift planning, major and principal gift fundraising, corporate partnerships and foundations relations while shaping a cohesive, collaborative, and accountable fundraising team. To achieve this, the MDD is responsible for building, motivating, mentoring and managing the team to develop and achieve stretch goals in support of Harvard Chan School’s fundraising priorities. The incumbent will also ensure that staff receive appropriate training and professional opportunities to ensure that a best‑in‑class fundraising operation is developed.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• Build, motivate, mentor, and manage direct reports to achieve goals in support of Harvard Chan School’s fundraising priorities. Establish expectations that are clear, well communicated, and related to the goals and objectives of the team, and provide staff with frequent, constructive feedback, including interim and annual evaluations as appropriate. Develop and lead strategies for professional development.
• Ensure the development of, and adherence to, a collective development operating plan to achieve strategic cultivation and solicitation of prospects. Work collaboratively to develop a multi‑year plan that aligns with School fundraising priorities.
• Provide regular updates on progress to the Vice Dean, OSLT, and key stakeholders.
• Carry a small portfolio of key prospects and act as back‑up for select prospects held by the Dean and Vice Dean.
• Work closely with team members to grow the prospect base and ensure productivity in identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts.
• Partner strategically with the Vice Dean, OSLT and School colleagues to develop a strong and effective case of support for current and potential donors in advancing Harvard Chan development priorities. Develop effective strategies for communications, events, stewardship and proposals.
• Actively partner and prioritize transparent and lasting relationships across Harvard Chan community through collaborating with faculty and other colleagues, including but not limited to the Office of Communications, ORSD, Office of Financial Services.
• Provide leadership, guidance and oversight of the team’s strategic portfolio development and oversee a collaborative prospect assignment and portfolio review process.
• Lead the development, execution and evaluation of annual and multi‑year fundraising plan that supports the overall multi‑year fundraising agenda and initiatives.
• Advance a development culture that embraces the use of systems and tools to effectively implement a moves management prospect management process, including the use of the Advance database and reporting and tracking tools. Works with the Strategy and Operations team to collaboratively define and prioritize systems and infrastructure in support of the fundraising managers and staff.

In addition to the above responsibilities, the role requires scheduling flexibility, up to 10% travel including nights and weekends, and may require completion of a skills assessment during the interview process.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.
• 10+ years of experience in fundraising and fundraising management required; 7+ years of supervisory experience is required.
• Leadership and supervisory experience is required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of successful fundraising and fundraising management with an effective track record as a leader, manager, and strategist in a complex organization, university or related transferable experience preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of management experience with a proven ability to motivate, engage, manage performance and work with staff, donors, and volunteers, as well as academic leaders and faculty. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain performance improvement plans and willingness to have difficult conversations.
• A strong working knowledge of annual/reunion, major, planned, and principal gift programs, including management of volunteer‑intensive fundraising.
• Solid public speaking, presentation and written communication skills required.
• Demonstrated experience managing competing priorities and multitasking.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a data‑driven decision‑making and management environment.
• Sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of giving principles and practices, extremely high levels of professionalism, collegiality, self‑motivation, and organization.
• Solid analytical skills and motivation to learn and be flexible to change.
• Great listening skills as well as ability to lead, influence and persuade others.
• Professional disposition and ability to deal effectively and empathetically with people from all types of backgrounds and experiences in all types of difficult situations.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating problems accurately and displaying good, sound and confidential judgment.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: N/A.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: Full Time.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education.

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.

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non‑discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non‑discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

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