Apply on Employer Site

Harvard University · 4 days ago

Managing Director of Research, FAS

Cambridge, MA

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

8+ years exp

Harvard University is a vibrant community dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment. The Managing Director of Research will lead a team to identify and qualify prospects for fundraising efforts, develop research strategies, and support the advancement of Harvard's mission.

EducationHigher EducationUniversities

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

Responsibilities

Manages four to seven full time researchers who support FAS fundraising efforts

Leads and oversees the full range of associated initiatives and activities that result in the identification of prospective new FAS donors, including both FAS affiliates and unaffiliated entities

Serves as the day-to-day lead on behalf of the AA&D Research and Prospect Management team for FAS leadership

Work in close partnership with FAS leadership to ensure proposed strategies align with FAS business needs and research team objectives

Collaborate with FAS leadership to fully understand goals, assess needs, appropriately prioritize and work with research colleagues to implement best in class research strategies with the goal of providing timely, efficient, actionable, and value-added information to build prospect pipelines and inform fundraising strategies

Leverage research expertise and knowledge of FAS priorities to advise on appropriate research activities to meet key fundraising and relationship building objectives

Utilize innovation and creative approaches that support FAS fundraisers in meeting outlined goals and objectives

Manages FAS Research staff, assists in hiring decisions, and provides training and mentoring

Manages performance and determines staffing and other resource needs

Designs and implements professional development plans for reporting staff to demonstrate growth and improvement in identified areas

Coordinates prospect identification and qualification efforts, establishes and maintains production and quality control standards for materials produced by the unit with regard to accuracy, content, presentation, and consistency

Identifies ways to improve the dissemination and storage of information

Works with FAS senior leadership to identify meaningful metrics for progress towards goals

Provide guidance, direction, and mentorship to research colleagues in support of research strategies

Keep abreast of advances in research and advise on approaches to improve efficiency and outcomes

Ensure cohesiveness of research efforts across FAS and the team, creating efficiencies and reducing duplication of efforts in upholding best in business research strategy

Identify independent and/or team projects that would help in FAS research assessment, speaking at fundraiser meetings when appropriate

Provides direct research support to the FAS Dean for Development, as well as limited FAS fundraisers

Marries research and wealth expertise with comprehensive understanding of FAS priorities and initiatives to guide research and prospect identification efforts

Analyze and synthesize complex information into clearly communicated commendations, articulating how proposed action supports FAS objectives can be achieved

Accurately and efficiently analyze complex financial disclosure documents, real estate and other wealth indicators for the purpose of determining accurate University Capacity Ratings

Use specialized electronic resources to gather and analyze information and work with confidential as well as publicly accessible information, with a view to assessing donor interest and alignment with the University

Develop focused research profiles, prospect lists, identifies networks and analysis of philanthropic interests for fundraising staff

Communicate complex information in an easily digestible a fashion

Balance various research outcomes, assess prioritization, and recommend strategies for assessing risk with fundraisers and other stakeholders

Apply extensive knowledge of resources to know when reasonable efforts have been exhausted

Keep abreast of current events, philanthropic trends, due diligence methodologies, and Harvard’s fundraising objectives

Qualification

Prospect research experiencePrivate company valuationWealth indicators analysisManagement experienceResearch databases knowledgeCommunication skillsSelf-directionDiscretion with informationMulti-tasking abilityAttention to detailCollaboration skills

Required

Minimum eight years of professional prospect research experience required

Experience with private company valuation and valuation of options, as well as analysis of hedge funds, venture capital and private equity for the purpose of determining estimated wealth and identifying upcoming wealth events

Proficiency at planning, organizing, and setting meaningful objectives, integrating the work of prospect research into overall advancement goals

Proficiency with wealth indicators and ability to locate and analyze complex financial disclosure documents required

You will be expected to work certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each Spring, and participate in department retreats that are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA

Strong communication skills with experience to back up recommendations and strategies undertaken

Ability to come to sound conclusions independently, showcasing a rational, logical and efficient thought process

Clear and succinct written and verbal communication

Ability to use extreme discretion when working with highly confidential information required

Strong self-direction and self-motivation

Demonstrated ability to collaborate with people at all levels, and willingness to function as part of a team

Knowledge of specialized fee-based research databases required

Strong attention to accuracy and detail required

Ability to multi-task on different projects and initiatives and ability to work under strict deadlines