Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Development and External Relations, the Senior Director of Development plays a critical leadership role in shaping fundraising plans and raising philanthropic gifts in support of Harvard Divinity School’s multi-religious mission. Harvard Divinity School (HDS) educates scholars, teachers, ministers, and other professionals for leadership and service both nationally and internationally. To help in building a world in which people can live and work together across religious and cultural divides, we strive to be a primary resource in religious and theological studies for academia, for religious communities, and in the public sphere.

Building on momentum from the recent Harvard Campaign, the Senior Director of Development will raise funds that enable HDS to deliver on its mission, with a focus on $1M+ gifts for the School’s highest funding priorities.  S/he will develop and manage a portfolio of ~100 donors/potential donors—through all stages of donor engagement—many of whom are not HDS alumni. The Senior Director of Development will work closely with colleagues in the University Development Office and other Harvard schools to engage donors interested in HDS’s work. In addition, s/he will be creative in identifying new potential donors beyond the traditional HDS and Harvard donor base, including foundations. S/he will help shape specific funding proposals focused on key initiatives and gift opportunities in partnership with faculty and staff colleagues across the School, including the Development and Communications teams. This will necessitate a substantive understanding of HDS priorities and the ability to translate these priorities and needs to potential donors in an inspirational way.  This position requires significant travel (although currently virtual and phone meetings are taking its place due to COVID-19 restrictions).

The Senior Director of Development will also manage the Director of Leadership Giving, with a portfolio focused on donors making annual and capital gifts at the $10K-$100K/year level. These complementary portfolios are essential to the innovation and impact of the Harvard Divinity School. The Development Coordinator will also have dotted line reporting to the Senior Director of Development, providing support around logistics, writing and database management.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies for securing major and principal gifts focused on priority areas.
• As part of this work, may manage high-level volunteer committees, meetings and events (e.g. gatherings hosted by donors or the Dean).  May also serve as the lead fundraising representative for specific priority areas.
• Travel with and provide staffing support for the Dean and members of the faculty on behalf of fundraising efforts.
• Through effective sharing of information and building of trust, collaborate with colleagues across the University to identify and engage alumni of other Schools who would be interested in the work of the Divinity School.
• In collaboration with other frontline colleagues, promote and ask for annual and planned gifts.
• Achieve annual performance metrics including visit targets and funding goals to be set each year.
• Provide effective management including accountability for performance metrics and thoughtful support on professional growth for the Director of Leadership Giving and Development Coordinator.
• Write briefings, proposals, donor correspondence and updates that shape and reflect fundraising strategies, with support and collaboration from colleagues.
• Keep track of plans and outreach in the AA&D database, to ensure transparency and effective pipeline management. Provide timely follow-up and debriefs after meetings.
• Articulate the Divinity School’s value proposition and appreciation for a wide range of faith traditions and expressions.
• Actively build knowledge of HDS and relationships with colleagues across the School by attending campus events and activities, reading HDS publications and pursuing other avenues for professional learning and growth.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising and/or related field where skills are easily transferable, including direct solicitation of seven-figure gifts from individuals.

Additional Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience and effectiveness in individual donor fundraising and volunteer management. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of both higher education and global philanthropy, and bring a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to fundraising and a genuine passion for HDS’s mission.
• An ability to manage staff against performance goals in empowering ways with a focus on team strength and accountability for results.
• Must be an innovative and creative strategic contributor with strong listening skills and the ability to collaborate and persuade.
• Proven interpersonal skills with ability to build and strengthen diverse relationships; motivate, engage and work with donors and volunteers, School and University leaders, faculty, and staff.  Must be flexible and open to new ideas and able to navigate and succeed through ambiguity.
• Strong results orientation and proven track record in setting and achieving ambitious goals.
• Superb organizational, prioritization, public speaking, presentation, written and oral communication skills. Due to frequent interaction with high level donors, senior administrators and faculty, the candidate must maintain confidential information and use sound judgment.
• Ability to operate both autonomously and in a team, understanding individual success as part of a larger team’s success, with high levels of professionalism, collegiality and self-motivation.
• Willingness and ability to travel roughly 30% of the time (and conduct effective meetings over video and phone, particularly until travel is feasible again).

Important Note: Your cover letter and resume should be combined into a SINGLE DOCUMENT under the resume tab. Cover letters are required for every position at Harvard Divinity School.