Duties & Responsibilities

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving provides leadership for the School’s annual giving strategy and is expected to implement and manage the growth of the high end of the annual giving program ($2,500 to $99,999).  This position will be primarily responsible for increasing revenue through the management of the Annual Giving Officer, as well as, their own portfolio with face-to-face solicitation of with alumni and non-alumni donors, volunteers and prospects.  S/he will focus on facilitating the growth of the Harvard Chan School’s Leadership Council by closing existing and new annual donors’ gifts at the $2,500+. In addition, s/he will collaborate with Alumni Relations and Assistant Director of Volunteer Leadership to recruit and manage a small group of volunteer leaders to expand alumni giving and participation.  S/he will work with the operations and communications team to drive direct mail strategy.  This position requires a command of up-to-date principles of annual giving, and a high level of organization, and professionalism, together with the tools to be a successful frontline fundraiser.  Travel for events and prospects visits is required.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop a comprehensive annual giving plan for the Harvard Chan School in conjunction with Communication and Operations; including direct mail, telemarketing, social media, donor recognition, and volunteers as well as the coordination of high end annual fund solicitations.
• Prepare and present an annual giving strategic plan that clearly identifies strategies to ensure each assigned prospect will be actively engaged in the life of Harvard Chan School to the highest extent possible, based on individual inclination.
• Approximately 70% of the AG Officer’s time will be devoted to local travel to visit assigned AG prospects, with a goal of 100 face-to-face prospect visits per year.  The AG Officer will complete necessary follow up and call reports after each visit.
• Coordinate the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship for an AG prospect pool of approximately 200 alumni and friends with gift officers and the Assoc. Vice Dean of Campaign and Development.
• Identify prospects capable of giving $2,500+ on an annual basis, with a goal of securing 25 new commitments per year.
• Supervises all personnel involved with the annual fund operations; including the Annual Giving Officer.
• Work with the Harvard Chan School’s Alumni Affairs and the Assistant Director of Volunteer Leadership to increase student and alumni participation in AG programs including but not limited to reunion giving and giving societies; support volunteer alumni leadership, class agents, and other key volunteers.
• In collaboration with Alumni Affairs and the Assistant Director of Volunteer Leadership, execute key parts of alumni AG programs, analyze results and prepare reports for donors, volunteers, senior management, and Harvard Chan Administration as necessary, while utilizing the resources of OER to accomplish established goals including the effective use of the offices of special events, communications, gift planning, research and IS.
• Work closely with Communications and Operation personnel to accomplishing all DM objectives for the Annual Giving program.
• Work in conjunction with the Assoc. Vice Dean of Campaign and Development to administer all Annual Giving activities, including strategic planning, goal setting, and performance management.

Please Note: Duties and Responsibilities continued under Additional Information Section. 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5+ years fundraising, managerial and/or comparable experience in Annual Giving
• Previous supervisory experience required

Additional Qualifications

• Experience with direct-mail and working with volunteers highly desired. 
• Be comfortable with face-to-face solicitations, have strong negotiation skills and a high energy level.
• Strong planning, organizational, and analytical skills; excellent interpersonal skill including tact, diplomacy, a sense of humor, and the ability to work in partnership with volunteers, faculty, and colleagues at all levels;
• Experience with the Microsoft Office Suite and integrated prospect management systems (BSR Advance preferred).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The successful candidate will possess: excellent public speaking, presentation, and written communication skills; the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects with competing deadlines in a fast-paced, complex organization; Ability to work independently and as part of a team; ability to confer confidently with a broad spectrum of constituents.

Additional Information Duties and Responsibilities Continued:

• In coordination with the Executive Director of Administration, assists in maintaining accurate donor and prospect records; establishes and maintains timely and effective gift reporting and acknowledgements; and prepares and provides oversight to the Annual Giving program budget.
• Be an effective collaborator, communicator and representative of Harvard Chan School to both the internal and external community with the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior. 
• Contribute to the collective team efforts in support of the comprehensive OER goals and objectives.
• Represent Harvard Chan at events, gatherings, etc.
• Accepts and fulfills all other assignments as directed by the Associate Vice Dean.