Assistant Director, Strategic

Company: Harvard University
Location: Cambridge
Posted on: February 20, 2021

Job Description:

Assistant Director, Strategic Engagement 53360BR Job Summary The Center for Public Leadership (CPL) has an immediate opening for a senior role on its Executive Team focused on supporting the Center's fundraising and stewardship efforts. The Assistant Director of Strategic Engagement is responsible for engaging CPL's donors, alumni, and other key stakeholders. This Assistant Director works in close collaboration with the Center's Faculty Director and Executive Director to develop and execute an overall fundraising strategy. In that capacity, this person leads efforts to manage and support the Leadership Council, serves as the in-house point person for all Center fundraising and stewardship activities, and develops and maintains critical business relationships that support the Center's strategic priorities. The successful candidate will be highly-motivated and proactive, exhibiting demonstrated capacity to think and act strategically, seamlessly convene stakeholders, and manage relationships with aplomb. Utilizing strong strategic planning, relationship management, project management, writing and communication skills, and independent judgement, the Assistant Director will collaborate closely with leadership and staff across CPL, with fundraising colleagues at HKS Alumni Relations and Resource Development (ARRD), and with other HKS and Harvard staff and leadership to manage the Center's key stakeholder relationships. This position reports to CPL's Executive Director. Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Participate in the development of proposals for funding, in the relationship management leading up to specific donor requests, and the stewardship of important, high level donor relationships
• Oversee administration of the Leadership Council, including semi-annual meetings, annual giving, onboarding and offboarding, recruitment, and more.
• Develop and implement strategies for engaging Leadership Council members in the Center's activities through customized meetings and events for members in close collaboration with ARRD.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive and Communications teams to design and manage communications to the Leadership Council.
• Manage special projects related to the engagement of Leadership Council members.
• Develop stewardship plans for existing donors with a view to the solicitation of major gifts.
• Help set the direction for and manage a standard approach to stewardship communications
• Collaborate with ARRD to develop best practices for center-level fundraising and stewardship operations
• Staff CPL Leadership at meetings with Leadership Council members, donors, prospects, and other stakeholders. Executive Support & Special Projects
  • Lead specific, strategically important, time bound projects that benefit the Center and position it to grow and raise funds
  • Provide high level executive and strategic support to the Faculty Director and Executive Director
  • Provide indirect supervision and mentorship to the Faculty Director's EA and other junior team members
  • Participate in developing communications from the Faculty Director and Executive Director to key stakeholder groups
  • Serve as the main coordinator of CPL's various fundraising stakeholders, including donors, alumni, internal staff at HKS and Harvard (including senior leadership), external organizations, and others.
  • Play a key role and at times serve as project manager for high level strategic projects that benefit the long-range goals of CPL, and that position CPL to raise money and grow its impact Other
    • Serve as a member of the Senior Management Team for CPL
    • Support budgetary activity for the Executive Team
    • Provide indirect supervision of all stewardship operations efforts
    • Serve on cross-collaborative and inter-departmental teams on special projects, institutional events, and broader strategic planning/implementation work for the Center. Basic Qualifications
      • Bachelor's degree and at least five years of related work experience. Additional Qualifications and Skills
        • Prior work experience in higher education preferred, particularly at the Harvard Kennedy School or Harvard University.
        • Excellent attention to detail.
        • Possess highest level of interpersonal, strategic planning, oral and written communication skills
        • Time management and demonstrated organizational skills.
        • Experience with strategic relationship management, especially with top level stakeholders.
        • Ability to relate well and with poise, self-confidence and gravitas with all level stakeholders.
        • Perform strongly under pressure and deadlines while also demonstrating an ability to pivot quickly and juggle multiple demands simultaneously.
        • Ability to work well both independently and with others.
        • Exercise tact, mature judgment, diplomatic skills and discretion.
        • Must be available to work evenings and weekends as required.
        • Moderate travel may be required.
        • Candidate must possess strong computer skills. Additional Information We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide Visa Sponsorship.
          Harvard University requires pre-employment references and background checks.
          Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment. Please note: During the current period of Covid-19 related restrictions, this position may start as a remote position, with transition to onsite in Cambridge, Massachusetts when the office reopens. We continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 and lifting of restrictions. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process. We will be conducting interviews virtually for selected candidates until further notice. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Keywords: Harvard University, Cambridge , Assistant Director, Strategic, Executive , Cambridge, Massachusetts