Managing Director, Development

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Why join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health?

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing public health through cutting-edge research, education, and global collaboration. Our school is a special place to work because of its vibrant, mission-driven community, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing some of the most pressing health challenges worldwide. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, continuous learning, and work-life balance are valued.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values, our Principles of Citizenship, and about the Dean’s AAA vision about our school’s ongoing strategic initiatives.

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission through research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country at an opportune time for public health!

The Managing Director, Development (MDD) is a full-time exempt position responsible for the leadership and management of ODAR’s fundraising team (5-6) that include principal gifts ($5M+), major gifts ($250K+), corporate and foundation relations, and coordination on gift planning with the University Development Office (UDO). The MDD also works collaboratively with colleagues across the School, including the Office of Communications, Office of Research Strategy and Development (ORSD) and the Office of Financial Services (OFS), as well as colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D), Harvard Schools, UDO and other university-wide partners.

The MDD will work closely with the Vice Dean and School leadership to shape, articulate, and advance fundraising goals in support of Harvard Chan priorities.  In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for developing and executing high-level fundraising and prospect strategies to enable the realization of established goals and objectives in support of the annual and multi-year fundraising objectives for Harvard Chan School.

In addition, the MDD will work closely with the Vice Dean and other Managing Directors to shape team culture and develop policies, practices and services that are facilitated across teams and through collaboration with the University Development Office.

In close partnership with the ODAR Senior Leadership Team (OSLT), the MDD is responsible for integrating and unifying gift planning, major and principal gift fundraising, corporate partnerships and foundations relations while shaping a cohesive, collaborative, and accountable fundraising team. To achieve this, the MDD is responsible for building, motivating, mentoring and managing the team to develop and achieve stretch goals in support of Harvard Chan School’s fundraising priorities.  The incumbent will also ensure that staff receive appropriate training and professional opportunities to ensure that a best-in-class fundraising operation is developed.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health faculty, students, and alumni come from all corners of the globe.  Our impact is far reaching. An entrepreneurial approach to building donor pipelines is essential to securing resources in support of our work.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Build, motivate, mentor, and manage direct reports to achieve goals in support of Harvard Chan School’s fundraising priorities.  Establish expectations that are clear, well communicated, and related to the goals and objectives of the team, and provide staff with frequent, constructive feedback, including interim and annual evaluations as appropriate.  Develop and lead strategies for professional development
• Ensure the development of, and adherence to, a collective development operating plan to achieve strategic cultivation and solicitation of prospects.  Work collaboratively to develop a multi-year plan that aligns with School fundraising priorities
• Provide regular updates on progress to the Vice Dean, OSLT, and key stakeholders
• Carry a small portfolio of key prospects and act as back-up for select prospects held by the Dean and Vice Dean
• Work closely with team members to grow the prospect base and ensure productivity in identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts
• Partner strategically with the Vice Dean, OSLT and School colleagues to develop a strong and effective case of support for current and potential donors in advancing Harvard Chan development priorities. Develop effective strategies for communications, events, stewardship and proposals.
• Actively partner and prioritize transparent and lasting relationships across Harvard Chan community through collaborating with faculty and other colleagues, including but not limited to the Office of Communications, ORSD, Office of Financial Services
• Lead the development, execution and evaluation of annual and multi-year fundraising plan that supports the overall multi-year fundraising agenda and initiatives
• Advance a development culture that embraces the use of systems and tools to effectively implement a moves management prospect management process, including the use of the Advance database and reporting and tracking tools. Works with the Strategy and Operations team to collaboratively define and prioritize systems and infrastructure in support of the fundraising managers and staff

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

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• Fifteen years or more in nonprofit fundraising with increasing responsibility in managing a professional team and execution of the overall strategy.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Advanced degree preferred
• 15+ years of successful fundraising and fundraising management with an effective track record as a leader, manager, and strategist in a complex organization, university or related transferable experience preferred
• Management experience with a proven ability to motivate, engage, manage performance and work with staff, donors, and volunteers, as well as academic leaders and faculty. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain performance improvement plans and a willingness to have difficult conversations
• A strong working knowledge of annual/reunion, major, planned, and principal gift programs, including management of volunteer-intensive fundraising
• Solid public speaking, presentation and written communication skills required
• Demonstrated experience managing competing priorities and ability to multi-task
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a data-driven decision-making and management environment
• Sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of giving principles and practices, extremely high levels of professionalism, collegiality, self-motivation, and organization
• Solid analytical skills and motivated to learn and be flexible to change
• Great listening skills as well as ability to lead, influence and persuade others
• Professional disposition and able to deal effectively and empathetically with people from all types of backgrounds and experiences in all types of difficult situations
• Demonstrated experience evaluating problems accurately and display good, sound and confidential judgment

Please note:

• A cover letter is a required component of the application.
• Role requires scheduling flexibility, including occasional evening and weekend commitments, and travel of  approximately 10-15%
• Finalists may be asked to complete a skills assessment; additional details will be provided during the interview process

• 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, Education

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 180 day orientation and review period. 

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 061. 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.