Senior Associate Director, Senior Leadership Engagement

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 (ACED), University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and Office of Talent, Administration and Policy (OTAP).

The Senior Leadership Engagement team manages and implements donor and alumni engagement activities involving the President, Provost, Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Dean, SEAS Dean, and additional FAS academic leadership of Harvard University. These activities include planning AA&D-focused travel, facilitating event participation, and organizing donor and prospect meetings. To do this, the team builds strategic partnerships with AA&D colleagues from across the University to help coordinate and facilitate alumni engagement, donor cultivation and stewardship opportunities, with University and FAS leadership.

This is a strategic leadership position within the Senior Leadership Engagement team and includes management responsibilities for an assistant director, a coordinator, and an additional assistant director with a dotted line. The position is responsible for establishing and overseeing best practices related to supporting FAS academic leaders in trips, prospect meetings, and event participation. As part of this responsibility, the role serves as a strategic thought partner with FAS Development leadership and fundraisers to ensure that FAS academic leaders’ development time is aligned with fundraising objectives.

In addition to leadership responsibilities, this position also carries the FAS Dean’s portfolio and other FAS academic leaders, including but not limited to: itinerary and visit pipeline management, communication with prospects, briefing review, coordination with event hosts, trip logistics oversight, and partnership with academic leaders’ offices.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Works with the Executive Director, Director, and FAS Development leadership to develop fiscal-year plans for FAS academic leaders and administrators, including virtual visits, travel plans, event participation, and other FAS development needs.

• Serves as a key partner to the FAS management team and regional leads to ensure effective engagement of FAS academic leaders with donors, volunteers, and prospects. This includes developing reporting processes, establishing criteria for engagement activity, and prioritizing leadership time.

• Manages and oversees the work of two assistant directors supporting the FAS leaders and a coordinator.

• Oversees all data management practices of the SLE team. This includes implementing tracking best practices, ensuring team regularly updates information, overseeing regular audits of Advance data, creating reports for senior management, and providing data to inform annual planning. This also includes working with Operation partners to identify new and better opportunities for data management.

• Manages the FAS Dean’s portfolio and select FAS academic leaders. 

• This position will partner closely with the Associate Vice President and Dean of FAS Development, the Associate Dean of FAS Development, and FAS Administrative and Academic Leadership on leadership engagement with donors, prospects and alumni through 1:1 meetings and events. This includes:

  • Partnering with the FAS Development management team and regional leads to deploy leaders in trips, prospect meetings, and events, including itinerary development and pipeline prioritization.

  • Overseeing (with support from the coordinator and development assistant) all aspects of meetings and events arranged by AA&D, including outreach, scheduling, logistics, travel arrangements, briefing coordination, and record-keeping.

  • Working with senior leaders and prospect managers to review, finalize, and package all materials for leaders as they relate to their engagements with AA&D.

  • Maintaining ongoing communication with staff in FAS academic offices to prepare and coordinate AA&D activity, serving as their first point of contact for scheduling and logistics questions related to development and alumni affairs across the University.

  • Coordinating internal approval processes for event invitations, meeting requests, and other engagements.

  • Liaising with donor hosts for select small events and receptions and managing invitation pools and communications in partnership with fundraising colleagues.

• As needed, is responsible for process-improvement projects at the direction of the Director.

• Attends planning meetings, training sessions, events, and conferences as necessary.

• Cultivates favorable working relationships with institutional and external constituencies and provides the highest level of client service.

• The above covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. It does not exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• A minimum of 8 years relevant work experience; preferably in a fundraising and/or academic environment
• Proven ability in project management
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software
• Occasionally work additional evening, weekend hours, and limited travel. 
• This job is hybrid, requiring specific days in office each week.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and have strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to establish and promote good working relationships with alumni, colleagues, faculty, administrators, and students. 
• Must be flexible and possess the ability to handle multiple tasks accurately under deadline pressure. 
• Proven ability working in a complex organization and making informed decisions in the context of strategic organizational goals and policies. 
• Must be able to work independently and take initiative. Must have ability to handle confidential materials with discretion.
• Must be a professional, proactive, creative, collaborative, conscientious, and results-oriented individual. Should have ability to think strategically and conceptually, and display sound judgment.
• Solid computer skills in a PC environment with the capability to master new software applications and technologies, including database management.
• Must be energetic, motivated to learn and open to change.
• Excellent speaking, writing, and client service skills required. Professional phone etiquette required.

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: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal

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 059. 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.