Details
Posted: 12-May-22
Location: USA - MA - Cambridge
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
This position will be based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic this position will be remote until further notice.
Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) comprises the University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, and the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). There is a unique relationship between the University and the FAS fundraising operations, resulting from a long history in which University fundraising ultimately grew out of College fundraising.
Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) DevelopmentFAS Development is responsible for the fundraising efforts supporting the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, including Harvard College, the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. FAS Development staff work with donors, alumni, parents, and friends who provide critical support for the FAS and often for other parts of the University.
As part of the FAS Development Communications team, Direct Response Marketing (DRM) drives broad participation among alumni and parents to raise flexible current-use funds for the core mission of the FAS (Harvard College Fund, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Fund, and a variety of other strategic priorities). The team combines fundraising principles with use of marketing channels, such as mail, email, phone, and social media, to communicate compelling cases for support that engage with over 100k constituents, inspire annual donors, and build a pipeline of future major donors. The team executes a robust annual strategy in addition to select partner collaborations with Major Gifts, Harvard College Fund, and Gift Planning.
Summary: The Development Assistant is an integral member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) development team. This full-time non-exempt position supports the Associate Director, Direct Response Marketing and is responsible for performing a wide range of duties to ensure the smooth daily operations, effective administration, clear communications, and timely execution of team managed projects.
This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in building their career within higher education and learning more about alumni affairs, development, and marketing.
The position requires strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask and prioritize while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality under pressure. The Development Assistant will have access to confidential information pertaining to donors and alumni where a high degree of discretion, diplomacy, and professionalism are required.
The list below covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. However, it does not exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.
- Monitors the mail and digital appeal schedules and follows up with key players to ensure adherence to them. Shares appeal calendars, samples, and other information with staff as needed and maintains the DRM page on The Source (Alumni Affairs & Development's internal website)
- Provides DRM team with project support ranging from asset coordination to proofreading, closed captioning generation, appeal data review and quality control, ad hoc basic design support, and preparing project materials for production.
- In coordination with Assistant Director, pulls general lists for all mail and email appeals and Student Development Partner outreach and assists with ThankView campaign set up and message deployment
- Leads management of email accounts and responses to appeals, monitoring, triaging, and when appropriate, responding to both electronic and hard copy messages daily.
- Maintains standard responses to commonly asked questions and strategizes new and creative ways to anticipate donor/prospect needs
- Regularly manages updates to alumni/donor database to ensure all information is entered accurately and timely, adding contact reports and submitting biographic updates
- Generates appeal codes and QR codes, requests vanity URLs, submits mass upload requests, and maintains Donor Advised Fund List in support of tracking DRM appeal responses
- Assists the Managing Director with budget tracking and expenses
- Supports DRM team for expense reports, supply orders, and meeting planning and scheduling
- Cultivates favorable relationships and work closely with colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development to accomplish annual goals—including but not limited to Operations, Business Intelligence, CAADs, Communications, Digital Strategies, Alumni and Donor Services, and other departments around the University to manage the creation and organization of broadcast print, email, and online fundraising communications.
- Serves as key liaison and DRM ambassador with other Development Assistants throughout AA&D.
- Participates in various team and staff meetings throughout the year and is an engaged member of the team.
- Provides other job-related duties as required.
This position requires a 3 month orientation and review period.
Please include a cover letter with your application.
About Harvard UniversityHarvard University, based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, was established in 1636 and is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The University is home to over 20,000 students and employs 18,000 people, making us the fifth-largest employer in Massachusetts. Harvard is a special place, filled with diverse, energetic, and talented people who are driven to grow and succeed. By working here, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise.
Why AA&D?We are a dedicated team of 400 alumni affairs and development professionals supporting Harvard's advancement activity through roles that include front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, events, communications, prospect management and research, business process, talent management and many other areas.
Harvard's Alumni Affairs and Development team inspires and galvanizes alumni, friends, and members of the University community to support Harvard through philanthropy, governance, and active engagement. AA&D believes a workplace that reflects the diversity of our society and our ever-evolving University constituency makes us a stronger and more effective organization. Our goal is to create an environment of respect that values the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community, to deliver the strongest possible results by incorporating diverse perspectives into our daily work, and to make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. AA&D strives to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, innovation and sharing of information in our daily interactions and our work.
To learn more about how Harvard supports diversity and inclusion throughout the University please visit the Office for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at https://dib.harvard.edu/.
Discover AA&D and Harvard University Benefits- Opportunities for internal advancement
- A creative, high- energy, collaborative environment
- Generous Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Holiday pay
- Medical, Dental and Vision benefits starting on your first day
- University-funded retirement plans
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Transportation benefits to help with your daily commute
- Health and wellness discounts, memberships and programs
Additional benefits can be found at https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards.
Accommodations: Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please let your recruiter know.
Vaccine Requirements: The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in
Harvard's Vaccine & Booster Requirements. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University's COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University's
- 1-2 years of related experience, education beyond high school may count toward experience.
- Solid computer skills in a PC environment with the capability to master new software applications and technologies in database management.
- Advance expertise in the functional use of Excel, Word, and Outlook are required (mail merges, report generation).
- Strong writing skills and attention to detail. Available to work additional evening hours if necessary.
- Ability to establish and promote good working relationships with peers, alumni, and donors.
- Collaborative, professional, and results-oriented team player with a willingness to learn/proactively acquire new skills as technologies and best practices evolve
- Ability to work independently and prioritize in a complex organizational environment
- Shows creativity and intellectual curiosity, as well as initiative and flexibility
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience with databases and platforms desired (such as Advance, ThankView, Photoshop, InDesign, Salesforce Marketing Cloud and social media platforms)
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: 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, or any other characteristic protected by law.
