Reporting to the Senior Executive Director, UDO, this position will establish and lead a central Corporate and Foundations Relations (CFR) team within the University Development Office (UDO). The Executive Director will work closely with academic, administrative, and development leaders and colleagues across Harvard to proactively craft and implement strategies to increase philanthropic support from foundations and corporations, primarily to university priorities and cross-school initiatives. The ideal candidate will have significant experience both in advancing solutions in a complex and collaborative organization and in managing a portfolio of top funders.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
- Assess the landscape of corporate and foundation philanthropy at Harvard and identify opportunities for added value and intersection with current and emerging University priorities.
- Grow the corporate and foundations pipeline and personally manage a portfolio of prospects and funders.
- Identify, set the strategy for, and facilitate relationships between top foundation leaders and University leadership both for engagement and stewardship.
- Liaise with Academic-Corporate Initiatives and Technology Development teams in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, identifying opportunities to coordinate relationships with current and prospective corporate partners and funders to maximize revenue potential. Support OVPR colleagues in incorporating philanthropic opportunities in discussions with industry, and in executing agreements with philanthropic components.
- Establish collaborative partnerships with UDO and School fundraisers to provide technical expertise and execute coordinated fundraising activities and strategies, especially when related to family foundations where the funder is an alumnus/a.
- Collaborate with colleagues in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, leaders of academic initiatives, the UDO Content Strategy team, and others to develop cross-disciplinary, transformational, and innovative funding opportunities and proposals that align with both university and foundation objectives.
- Serve the UDO and School development offices as a resource for policies, procedures, and industry trends for corporate and foundation philanthropy. Convene internal peers for discussion of best practices and participate in external peer groups.
- Develop best practices and new systems for CFR portfolio and pipeline management, goal-setting, and metrics. Grow capacity on the team for specialized CFR support while also identifying opportunities to leverage AA&D鈥檚 operations, research, stewardship, and content strategy teams.
- Hire and manage the CFR department within UDO, including professional development and performance management. Provide guidance for ensuring all project management and reporting requirements for grants managed under portfolio are met.
- Conduct work in alignment with the values of inclusion, respect, collegiality, excellence and curiosity.