Senior Executive Director, University Development

Location: Hybrid presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with flexibility for office attendance, donor visits, campus events, and retreats. Hybrid employees must work in a Harvard-registered US state.

Company

hirify.global Central Administration supports the university's schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities, while Alumni Affairs and Development advances fundraising and engagement initiatives.

What you will do

• Lead University Development across corporate and foundation relations, international philanthropy, priorities and initiatives, and principal gifts.
• Develop and oversee data-informed fundraising strategies aligned with school-based, central, and university-wide priorities.
• Recruit, supervise, coach, and develop direct reports while supporting managers with talent management.
• Optimize prospect pipelines and frontline portfolios through collaboration with research, prospect management, communications, and donor relations partners.
• Manage a limited portfolio of principal and major gift prospects, including strategies for seven- and eight-figure solicitations.
• Support university-level committees, donor recognition programs, stewardship plans, and emerging nine-figure gift opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least 15 years of fundraising and management experience, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated success managing donor relationships and soliciting seven- and eight-figure gifts.
• Experience building high-performing teams, setting strategic goals, managing performance, and leading through organizational change.
• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills, with sound judgment when handling confidential donor information.
• Computer literacy, including experience with Windows-based PCs, prospect databases, and videoconferencing platforms; occasional evening, weekend, and travel commitments are required.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative environment grounded in respect, inclusion, trust, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning on the first day.
• Paid time off, including parental leave, plus support for families and caregivers.
• Retirement plans with university contributions and commuter benefits.
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Harvard is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Hiring process

• A cover letter is required with the application.
• The position includes a six-month orientation and review period.
• Pre-employment screening includes identity and education verification.