Assistant Director, HLS Annual Fund

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Join a community that combines excellence in legal education and scholarship with a deep commitment to justice. Here at Harvard Law School (HLS), you’ll find an environment that values who you are and encourages you to grow, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact. Wherever you are in your career journey, HLS is a place where you can thrive, contribute, and be part of something bigger.

The Annual Fund team at Harvard Law School is a dynamic fundraising team dedicated to securing philanthropic support to advance the vision and priorities of the Dean of HLS.   

We are seeking an Assistant Director who will be responsible for raising unrestricted support for the Law School's $12+ million annual giving program.  This position manages class gift volunteer committees, develops and implements class-wide fundraising plans, organizes class meetings, and manages a portfolio of prospective unrestricted donors. Working within a larger fundraising team, the Assistant Director will strive towards increasing dollars, volunteers, and participation rates in assigned portfolios.  

As Assistant Director, you will:  

• Work with the Director of the Annual Fund to increase the level of unrestricted gifts among alumni in reunion and non-reunion years. 
• Be responsible for making a minimum of 100 alumni visits per year for the purposes of cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and volunteer recruitment.   
• Manage a portfolio of 150+ Annual Fund donor prospects. 
• Oversee assigned reunion class drives and be responsible for the management of reunion gift committees including recruiting volunteers and soliciting alumni in honor of their reunions; working with class leaders to develop and implement class fundraising plans; organizing and attending gift committee meetings.  
• Oversee programs for specific alumni segments, which may include direct mail, young alumni programs, donor stewardship and recognition programs, as well as other related initiatives 
• Participate in the development and implementation of unrestricted giving strategies and programs.   
• Compile financial data for gift tracking and management reports.  Coordinates targeted class solicitations with Development Communications staff.  
• Evaluate dollars raised and participation rates in reunion and non-reunion classes; serves as the manager of fundraising efforts for those classes.  
• Collaborate closely with other Alumni Affairs and Development departments and perform other duties as required. 

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience. 4 years’ experience in university fundraising or related transferable experience. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who: 

• Have a broad familiarity with the principles and objectives of annual fund raising. Prior frontline fundraising experience or volunteer management experience is a plus. 
• Can employ effective interpersonal skills to motivate and engage alumni, students and colleagues.   
• Display initiative and sound independent judgment; have an ability to handle difficult and sensitive situations with discretion and diplomacy.  
• Can be a collaborative team member as well as an independent self-starter.  
• Can prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, goal-orientated environment. 
• Have a commitment to contributing to an inclusive and collaborative working environment.  

Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time. This position will be expected to be on campus to staff alumni and donor events as required. Must also be available to provide staffing coverage during end of calendar and fiscal year high volume periods.  Ability and willingness to travel and work some weekends and evenings as needed. 

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Other Information:

All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.

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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 056. 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.