Executive Director, Principal & Major Gifts

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Why join the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

The office of Alumni Relations & Resource Development (ARRD) at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) seeks an experienced, ambitious and mission-driven Executive Director, Principal & Major Gifts to lead Harvard Kennedy School’s Principal & Major Gifts (PMG) program to secure and grow principal and major gifts support to the school. The Executive Director (ED) designs and implements creative strategies and solutions to substantially build pipelines for PMG, engaging new individuals with the capacity to make gifts of $100k+, focusing on growing the number of $1m+ and $25m+ gifts to the school.  The ED works at the highest levels of the school, partnering with board and council members, senior administration, faculty, and School stakeholders as appropriate. They will drive short- and long-range planning related to principal and major gifts revenue, activity and pipeline building. In addition, they hire, coach and mentor staff within Principal & Major Gifts to grow the prospect pipeline, build strong institutional relationships and expand support.

The Harvard Kennedy School has a demonstrated track record of training the world’s leaders and public servants.  Since its founding in 1936, the Harvard Kennedy School has evolved from a graduate school of public administration to a global institution that brings together powerful research, students from over 100 countries, and practitioners from across the public sector to solve the major problems our time. Established with a gift of $2 million, the Kennedy School also has a long tradition of philanthropy.   In FY25, the School had a record-breaking year in revenue dollars, the number of alumni donors and the percent of revenue that came from non-alumni donors who chose the Kennedy School as their partner for impact. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Manages a principal and major gifts team to consistently increase gifts and pledges of $100k+ to the school in alignment with school priorities.
• Develops and drives strategies and metrics to build the principal & major gifts prospect pipeline and increase portfolio penetration across principal and major gifts fundraisers
• Collaborates with Senior Associate Dean of ARRD to develop strategies that increase core and transformational revenue to the school, developing and implementing focused strategies for increasing $1m+ and $25m+ gifts.
• Works across PMG, with Prospect Pipeline Management team and across all frontline teams to creatively and persistently seek connections to new prospects to qualify interest, shape funding opportunities, build pipeline, and develop best ask to secure gifts. 
• Sets and ensures that all activity and revenue targets are met by self, individual fundraisers and the team as a whole.
• Manages, cultivates, solicits and stewards a portfolio of 15-25 principal and major gifts prospects and donors, achieving annual metrics
• Works closely with ARRD Academic Development and Coordination team to ensure gift agreements, solicitation approvals and pledge payment reminders are aligned with principal and major gifts donors’ needs and industry best practice.
• Recruits, trains, and manages volunteer leaders who can extend the reach of staff to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors.  Develops and sustains close working relationships with volunteers involved in securing key gifts.
• Builds and nurtures effective working relationships with faculty, executive directors, and senior management to identify funding needs, prepare the case for support, identify prospects and solicit gifts.
• Work with ARRD Communications, Pipeline Management, Strategic Engagement and Operations teams to create new opportunities to engage new principal and major gifts donors and to steward existing donors in order to make larger future gifts. 
• Writes, drafts and edits letters, proposals, reports, acknowledgements, case materials briefings and donor correspondence, planning specific communication for each donor from faculty and/or leaders in the institution. 
• Translates complex, rigorous content into compelling and understandable language to effectively communicate HKS’ mission and work.     
• Develops annual operating plan, forecasting solicitations, revenue, and visits, in consultation with Senior Associate Dean, ARRD and Managing Director, Pipeline Management &Operations
• Develops an understanding of the breadth of research, teaching and alumni community of HKS.  Keeps informed of University, local, regional and national issues relating to higher education and philanthropy.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of experience in fundraising in a complex higher education, academic medical research organization, or similarly complex organization.
• At least 6 years’ experience in Principal/Major Gifts.
• Demonstrated track record of closing 6-,7- and 8-figure gifts.
• Experience managing a principal and major gifts team to achieve increasing visits, solicitations and revenue results.
• Direct experience partnering with senior leadership, faculty, and/or board members in a complex organization.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven ability to persuade and negotiate with peer leaders and external partners on issues and programs that impact ARRD and the School.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex content into compelling cases for support and to communicate HKS’ mission effectively.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with experience setting goals, holding teams accountable, and mentoring colleagues at all levels.
• Strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to develop and implement both long- and short-term fundraising plans.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals, volunteers, and diverse international donors.
• High degree of political savvy and cultural sensitivity in navigating complex donor relationships.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including pipeline and portfolio management.
• Comfort with data-driven decision-making and fundraising metrics.
• Knowledge of industry best practices in philanthropy and fundraising.
• Familiarity with donor databases (e.g., Advance, Salesforce, or similar CRM).

• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit
• Work format: Please note, this position is based on our campus in Cambridge, MA.

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 062. 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.