Associate Director of Development

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Development at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education (DCE) will design, implement, and grow impactful annual giving and stewardship programs. 

As a key member of DCE’s Advancement team, the Associate Director of Development reports directly to the Director of Advancement, with a dotted-line relationship to Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development. This structure supports close coordination with FAS development teams, alignment of strategy, and access to shared resources. 

DCE’s goal is to secure consistent annual support while broadening awareness of the diverse opportunities for engagement across FAS. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Development Strategy 

• Set and oversee strategy to acquire, retain, and upgrade non-rated and non-managed donors giving between $100 and $10,000, building a robust and sustainable donor pipeline for FAS Development. 
• Develop and direct DCE annual fund strategy, including setting fundraising priorities, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, and coordinating closely with FAS to maximize engagement and opportunity for donors.  
• Enforce content standards to ensure all fundraising communications align with best practices and University branding, while leveraging FAS Development resources for strategic insight. 
• Lead cross-functional, project-based initiatives that advance DCE’s fundraising objectives, including expansion into emerging donor and volunteer communities.  
• Develop, implement, and refine policies and procedures to support consistent, scalable, and effective fundraising operations. 
• Attend various FAS, DCE and University-wide communications and staff meetings with marketing, stewardship, annual-giving, and research. 

Annual Giving 

• Create and provide strategic oversight of annual giving programs in close collaboration with DCE’s Director of Advancement and the FAS Development team, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and revenue goals. 
• Direct and manage a portfolio of annual fund priorities, setting goals, identifying value propositions, allocating resources, and evaluating performance to drive sustainable growth. 
• Leverage the alumni database to support annual giving strategy, including donor segmentation and accurate management of biographic records. Develop initiatives and incentives that encourage alumni to update their information, ensuring data integrity and stronger engagement. 
• Recruit, lead, and manage the volunteer leaders on Harvard Extension Alumni Association (HEAA) Board of Directors Development Committee; partnering with them to establish and grow peer-to peer cultivation and stewardship strategies. 
• Collaborate with development colleagues across disciplines, including FAS major gifts and planned giving, to design and execute integrated fundraising strategies. 
• Build and maintain relationships with peers at comparable institutions to establish benchmarks, share best practices, and assess program effectiveness. 

Donor Stewardship 

• Draft and send weekly, personalized gift acknowledgements that reflect donor intent, strengthen stewardship efforts, and reinforce meaningful engagement with the institution. 
• Assist with the launch of a new donor recognition society. 
• Create new annual fundraising event for philanthropic leaders. 

Communication & Collaboration 

• Lead and manage donor email communications for annual giving, stewardship, and other donor support needs. Ensure alignment with institutional messaging and DCE/FAS best practices. 
• Craft impactful donor and student profiles that communicate giving priorities, celebrating donor impact, and reflecting the transformative value of philanthropic support. 
• Partner with communication colleagues to leverage social media in support of fundraising and donor engagement goals. 

Gift Analysis & Reporting 

• Monitor fundraising performance, identify trends and refine strategies to ensure continuous progress. 
• Provide timely updates and strategic guidance to DCE leadership and FAS colleagues. 

Working Conditions:

This is a 2-year term position with the possibility of extension.

This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. Hybrid workplace models in place at DCE with a minimum of 2 days per week on campus. DCE or department may adjust these as necessary or appropriate.

Will be required to travel around 20% of working time primarily within New England, and occasionally within the US and International.

The position will be required to work occasional weekends and nights.

Physical Requirements:

Will be required to travel around 20% of working time primarily within New England, and occasionally within the US and International.