Regional Director of Development, Major Gifts

Job overview

The Regional Director of Development, Major Gifts is a hybrid role requiring onsite work in Cambridge, MA, two days weekly; compensation is not specified. The position is part of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Major Gifts team within Harvard Alumni Affairs and Development, supporting Harvard’s fundraising and alumni engagement work. The director manages a portfolio of more than 100 West Coast prospect households and develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for major gifts. The role coordinates with colleagues, academic leaders, faculty, and volunteers to advance donor relationships and fundraising goals across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

What you'll do

• Manage a portfolio of 100+ West Coast households
• qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects
• meet goals for visits, solicitations, gift closures, and dollars raised
• develop multi-step strategies
• coordinate with academic leaders, faculty, volunteers, and fundraising colleagues
• maintain prospect management records
• arrange and brief leaders for prospect visits
• and mentor other fundraisers.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

regional director of development

major gifts

fundraising

donor relations

prospect management

faculty of arts and sciences

harvard university

cambridge ma

hybrid

west coast portfolio

35% travel

bachelor’s degree required

no visa sponsorship

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Benefits include paid time off and parental leave, medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one, retirement plans with university contributions, wellbeing resources, family and caregiver support, professional development and tuition assistance, commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

Why this role

The role supports major gifts beginning at $25,000 annually or $250,000+ in multi-year pledges; at maturity, it is expected to generate $5 million or more per year. Travel is approximately 35% of working days.

About the employer

Harvard University Central Administration is hiring for this role. Industry: Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools. Sector: 61.