Senior Director, Major Gifts

Company: Harvard University
Location: Somerville
Posted on: January 12, 2021

Job Description:

Job SummaryReporting to the Associate Dean for External Relations, the Senior Director, Major Gifts provides strategic leadership and direction to a team of frontline fundraisers for the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study (RIAS); secures philanthropic support from new and existing donors; serves as a member of the External Relations (ER) department---s management team; and plays a key role in sustaining and expanding a robust major and planned gifts program. The Senior Director is responsible for executing a major gifts fundraising strategy that supports both current-use and endowment fundraising objectives, while integrating planned giving and annual support strategies as required. The position also requires a leadership style that will motivate team members, and coordinate effectively with key stakeholders across RIAS to achieve the shared programmatic and philanthropic objectives of the Institute---s strategic plan Radcliffe Engaged. In addition, the Senior Director will be responsible for driving a critical set of internal activities on behalf of the Major Gifts team, including staff onboarding and training, fundraiser goal setting, solicitation pipeline management, prospect assignment, annual engagement plans for major gift pipeline, and other activities assigned by the Associate Dean for External Relations. As a senior leader within the Institute, this role informs decision making and is responsible for carrying out policies and strategies, and modeling best practices as a fundraiser and colleague.Job-Specific ResponsibilitiesDirects the Institute---s major gifts program and manages a team of fundraisers responsible for raising gifts in the 5-7 figure range. Oversight includes leadership annual support ($10K), major gifts ($100K) and planned giving. Responsibilities include mentorship, supporting professional development, onboarding, ongoing training and education in industry best practices, developing, deploying, and monitoring performance metrics for all team members, and providing formal feedback to staff in annual performance reviews.Actively manages a portfolio of approximately 80 prospects and secures philanthropic support at the mid-six and seven-figure levels. Conducts 60 donor visits per year.Leads regular prospect strategy sessions to drive gift closures at six and seven-figure levels, ensuring that philanthropic potential is optimized through the development of appropriate cultivation and solicitation strategies.Effectively manages involvement of the Dean, Associate Dean, and other senior staff with fundraising engagement; including preparation of annual pipelines, strategic briefings prior to visits and arranging for appropriate follow up from visits and events.Coordinates with the Director of External Relations on the annual donor engagement program. Provides primary oversight and strategic direction on regional events strategy for major gift audiences.Works in partnership with the Director of Annual Giving to determine communication and solicitation strategy for annual leadership donors in major gift portfolios.Serves as the liaison to University Development Office (UDO) prospect management and research teams. Oversees the prospect assignment process and makes recommendations with regard to allocation of frontline resources, in consultation with the Associate Dean, for all assigned prospects at the Institute. Implements University guidelines with the frontline team as appropriate with regard to proposal management, prospect tracking, strategy notes and stage codes.Engages regularly with Institute programming, identifying opportunities to highlight content and disseminating information to team members and donors. Working with the Dean, program directors and colleagues in ER, helps identify and articulate the RIAS fundraising needs and priorities. Participates in the development of case statements, proposals, and other materials.Working with the Associate Dean and the Director for External Relations, prepares and drives detailed annual and multi-year plans for all areas of major, annual and planned giving, and prospect management and research including goals, timelines, budgets, and strategic and tactical approaches.Provides regular reports to Associate Dean on staff performance, fundraising progress, and progress against goals.Evening and weekend work, and extensive travel are required.Other duties as assigned.Basic QualificationsBachelor---s degree with 8-10 progressively responsible experience in fundraising and development administrationPrevious supervisory experience required. Proven experience in event management, volunteer engagement and donor strategy. Proven ability to motivate, engage, and work with donors, alumna/alumni, university officials, faculty, and staff or similar constituenciesAccomplished presentation skills, oral and written communications skills with experience in proposal development and writingStrong organizational and analytical skillsStrong commitment to the mission of the Radcliffe InstituteComprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications and prospect tracking systemsKnowledge of planned giving (bequests, trusts, gift annuities, etc.), major and annual gift fundraising principles and best practices, and demonstrated personal success in closing major gifts preferred.Additional Qualifications and SkillsThe ideal candidate is goal-oriented and thrives in an environment of accountability and continuous improvement;Extensive and successful experience managing, mentoring, and motivating diverse teams preferred;Demonstrated experience managing high performing volunteers preferred;Knowledge of prospect management and research best practices preferred.Working ConditionsDue to the COVID-19 public health emergency, employee will work remotely until onsite operations are resumed. When working remotely, employee is expected to have reliable internet access to be able to do the work.During the period of remote work, employee may be occasionally required to work onsite the Radcliffe Institute campus.Additional InformationPlease note that cover letters are required for all position applications at the Radcliffe Institute.About the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced StudyThe Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University is dedicated to creating and sharing transformative ideas across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The Fellowship Program annually supports the work of 50 leading artists and scholars. Academic Ventures and Engagement fosters collaborative research projects and sponsors lectures and conferences that engage scholars with the public. The Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America documents the lives of American women of the past and present for the future, furthering the Institute---s commitment to women, gender, and society.Our recently completed strategic planRadcliffe Engaged, 2019-2024, articulates our goals for the next five years. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to achieving our goals through the efforts of a highly skilled, diverse workforce. With outstandingbenefits, competitive pay, extensive learning opportunities, and a stimulating and attractive work environment, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University may be exactly the employer you have been looking for.Learn more about the people and programs of the Radcliffe Institute at . Job FunctionAlumni Affairs and Development LocationUSA - MA - Cambridge Job Code302060 Development Manager Sub-Unit DepartmentExternal RelationsTime StatusFull-time Salary Grade060Union00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary Pre-Employment ScreeningCredit, Education, Employment, IdentityEEO StatementWe are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.School/Unit: Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Auto req ID: 53109BR

Keywords: Harvard University, Somerville , Senior Director, Major Gifts, Executive , Somerville, Massachusetts