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Harvard Kennedy School · 4 days ago

Executive Director, Principal & Major Gifts

Cambridge, MA

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

10+ years exp

Harvard Kennedy School is dedicated to improving public policy and leadership. They are seeking an experienced Executive Director for Principal & Major Gifts to lead fundraising efforts and engage high-capacity donors to secure substantial gifts for the school.

Education

Comp. & Benefits

No H1B

Responsibilities

Manages a principal and major gifts team to consistently increase gifts and pledges of $100k+ to the school in alignment with school priorities

Develops and drives strategies and metrics to build the principal & major gifts prospect pipeline and increase portfolio penetration across principal and major gifts fundraisers

Collaborates with Senior Associate Dean of ARRD to develop strategies that increase core and transformational revenue to the school, developing and implementing focused strategies for increasing $1m+ and $25m+ gifts

Works across PMG, with Prospect Pipeline Management team and across all frontline teams to creatively and persistently seek connections to new prospects to qualify interest, shape funding opportunities, build pipeline, and develop best ask to secure gifts

Sets and ensures that all activity and revenue targets are met by self, individual fundraisers and the team as a whole

Manages, cultivates, solicits and stewards a portfolio of 15-25 principal and major gifts prospects and donors, achieving annual metrics

Works closely with ARRD Academic Development and Coordination team to ensure gift agreements, solicitation approvals and pledge payment reminders are aligned with principal and major gifts donors’ needs and industry best practice

Recruits, trains, and manages volunteer leaders who can extend the reach of staff to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors. Develops and sustains close working relationships with volunteers involved in securing key gifts

Builds and nurtures effective working relationships with faculty, executive directors, and senior management to identify funding needs, prepare the case for support, identify prospects and solicit gifts

Work with ARRD Communications, Pipeline Management, Strategic Engagement and Operations teams to create new opportunities to engage new principal and major gifts donors and to steward existing donors in order to make larger future gifts

Writes, drafts and edits letters, proposals, reports, acknowledgements, case materials briefings and donor correspondence, planning specific communication for each donor from faculty and/or leaders in the institution

Translates complex, rigorous content into compelling and understandable language to effectively communicate HKS’ mission and work

Develops annual operating plan, forecasting solicitations, revenue, and visits, in consultation with Senior Associate Dean, ARRD and Managing Director, Pipeline Management &Operations

Develops an understanding of the breadth of research, teaching and alumni community of HKS. Keeps informed of University, local, regional and national issues relating to higher education and philanthropy

Qualification

Fundraising experiencePrincipal/Major GiftsStrategic planningTeam managementData-driven decision-makingDonor database familiarityCommunication skillsRelationship buildingCultural sensitivityNegotiation skillsLeadership skillsOrganizational skills

Required

Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of experience in fundraising in a complex higher education, academic medical research organization, or similarly complex 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 to achieve increasing visits, solicitations and revenue results

Direct experience partnering with senior leadership, faculty, and/or board members in a complex organization

Proven ability to persuade and negotiate with peer leaders and external partners on issues and programs that impact ARRD and the School

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex content into compelling cases for support and to communicate HKS' mission effectively

Strong leadership and management skills, with experience setting goals, holding teams accountable, and mentoring colleagues at all levels

Strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to develop and implement both long- and short-term fundraising plans

Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals, volunteers, and diverse international donors

High degree of political savvy and cultural sensitivity in navigating complex donor relationships

Strong organizational and project management skills, including pipeline and portfolio management

Comfort with data-driven decision-making and fundraising metrics

Knowledge of industry best practices in philanthropy and fundraising

Familiarity with donor databases (e.g., Advance, Salesforce, or similar CRM)

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

Company

Harvard Kennedy School

Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school. It is a sub-organization of Harvard University.

Founded in 1936

Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

201-500 employees