Development Coordinator, Principal Gifts

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Alumni Affairs and Development is a dedicated team supporting Harvard’s advancement activity through front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, prospect management and research, business process, events, communications, and many other areas.

Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees; to deliver the strongest possible results by incorporating diverse perspectives into our daily work; and to make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. We strive to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation; and open communication and effective information sharing in our daily interactions and our work.

AA&D is comprised of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, Advancement Communications, Events & Donor Relations (ACEDR), University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and Office of Talent, Administration and Policy (OTAP).

The Development Coordinator is an integral member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) development team. This full-time non-exempt position provides high-level strategic, operational, and administrative support to an Executive Director of Principal Gifts to advance the philanthropic mission of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Prospect and Relationship Management Support

• Oversee prospect activity support from preparation through follow-up, including drafting outreach, correspondence, briefing materials, reports, meeting notes, and action plans.
• Track donor interactions, gift conversations, solicitation strategies, stewardship opportunities, and follow-up commitments.
• Prepare talking points, donor strategies, relationship summaries, and recommended next steps.
• Partner with Research and other colleagues to assess University affiliations, giving history, external philanthropy, recent activity, and relevant institutional priorities.
• Ensure donor and prospect information is accurately and promptly recorded in the alumni and donor database.

Meeting, Proposal, and Workflow Support

• Coordinate proposals, donor briefings, planning meetings, correspondence, and other requests for the fundraiser.
• Prepare a high volume of high-quality briefings for domestic and international travel and meetings with the President, Deans, Provost, faculty, and other University leaders.
• Coordinate meeting objectives, participants, logistics, materials, and follow-up responsibilities with internal stakeholders.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner by helping the fundraiser assess priorities, anticipate needs, and determine next steps.
• Monitor the fundraiser’s schedule, deadlines, correspondence, and competing priorities; draft or coordinate responses as appropriate.
• Help ensure timely communication with internal and external constituents and communicate the fundraiser’s availability, priorities, and bandwidth when needed.

Travel and Follow-Up

• Coordinate travel preparation, including donor research, briefing materials, meeting logistics, talking points, and follow-up plans.
• Serve as a point of contact for troubleshooting and time-sensitive issues during travel.
• Coordinate post-travel activities, including debriefs, thank-you notes, follow-up correspondence, database updates, expense reports, and additional stewardship or solicitation actions.
• Partner with the Development Assistant and other colleagues to ensure timely completion of post-travel responsibilities.

Gift and Database Administration

• Develop proficiency in the alumni and donor database to research prospects, organize information, produce reports, and maintain accurate records.
• Process and route complex, high-level gifts and pledges through appropriate channels.
• Notify fundraisers when gifts or pledges are completed and coordinate with colleagues to support accurate acknowledgment and stewardship.
• Collaborate with Development Assistant to ensure donor, prospect, meeting, gift, pledge, and follow-up information is entered accurately and promptly.

Collaboration and Service

• Provide responsive, professional service to donors, alumni, faculty, senior administrators, and development colleagues, including support related to gift logistics, meetings, and events.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Research, Donor Relations, Events, Gift Administration, Communications, and other areas to advance fundraising priorities.
• Serve as a resource regarding relevant policies, protocols, and procedures.
• Build effective working relationships across Alumni Affairs and Development and contribute to departmental and team goals.
• Participate actively in team and staff meetings, identify process improvements, and perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions: Workplace role requirements outside of campus-based engagements required by AA&D/team or unit, such as reunion activities, retreats, etc. You will be expected to work at certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each spring, and participate in department retreats that are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA.  We will do our best to give you up to 2 weeks notice of these situations. 

Basic Qualifications:

• 1-2 years of work experience related to development, volunteer management, constituent engagement, or project management. 

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.

• Available to work additional evening hours if necessary.

• 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.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong written and oral communication skills, including strong knowledge of English grammar, spelling and punctuation.

• Ability to accurately proofread and edit correspondence.

• Must be highly organized, detailed oriented and can work competently and efficiently in a multi-task environment. 

• Strong interpersonal skills; excellent phone manner and personal presentation.

• Ability to work under pressure, understand and follow policies and procedures, and accommodate change.

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on a team.

• Experience interacting with corporate executives and senior level staff preferred. Comfortable speaking in group settings.

Please include a cover letter as a part of your application to help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.

• Orientation and Review Period: 3 months
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 055. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• 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 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.