Harvard Kennedy School · 1 week ago
Director, Engagement and Stewardship
Cambridge, MA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
7+ years expHarvard Kennedy School is dedicated to improving public policy and leadership through innovative research and collaboration. The Director, Engagement and Stewardship will lead efforts to enhance alumni engagement and support fundraising initiatives while overseeing the Center for Public Leadership's strategic priorities and operational excellence.
Education
No H1B
Responsibilities
Design and support an engagement, development, and stewardship strategy to support priorities of the Center for Public Leadership, in close coordination with ARRD
Direct CPL’s alumni engagement and relationship building, including designing engagement approaches and launching new programs
Plan development and alumni engagement trips, working with ARRD and CPL leadership on goals and metrics
Oversee stewardship of CPL councils, which currently include the Leadership Council and Alumni Council. Recommend adjustments and refine council strategy as needed
In coordination with ARRD, support Faculty Director and Executive Director with development and engagement responsibilities, including joining meetings and events, preparing briefings (in conjunction with ARRD), 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’s 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. Communicate CPL’s goals and priorities and collaborate on projects and shared priorities
Manage relationships with external vendors and internal stakeholders, including managing to budget
Operate the Center’s engagement and stewardship work 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 required
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree and minimum of 7 years' relevant professional experience in development and alumni relations
Supervisory or team lead experience
Preferred
Master's degree preferred
Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a matrixed organization
Demonstrated experience with decision making based on sound judgment
Proven track record with 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 identify target audiences and tailor messages to be effective
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.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Eric Rosenbach
Co-Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Rafael Carbonell
Executive Director, Taubman Center for State and Local Government; Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy
Recent News
Boston Herald
2025-12-04
News Archives - Times Kuwait
2025-11-27
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