The Harvard Art Museums, housing one of the largest and most prestigious collections of art in the country, is looking for someone who is successful in development and donor relations to take the next career step and join its creative, energetic and goal-oriented Institutional Advancement (IA) team. Reporting to the Director of Individual Giving, the Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will carry a portfolio of prospects capable of making leadership and major gift level gifts to the Harvard Art Museums. The MGO will conduct personal visits and other meaningful interactions to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and close annual and special gifts at the five, six, and seven-figure level as well as to provide stewardship to their donors. The MGO is responsible for ensuring maximum results by recommending the strategies needed to successfully solicit their portfolio for annual and special gift support. The MGO will create and successfully execute strategies to expand the major gifts pipeline, deepen philanthropic relationships with those in a position to be most generous, and maximize philanthropic achievement.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
- Support or conduct face-to-face visits, solicitations, and other high-level interactions with major gift donors and prospects either independently or along with another colleague as individual strategies may require. Conduct 12-15 prospect visits per month.
- Meet the requisite benchmarks and achievement levels for the assigned portfolio to contribute to the overall achievement of the Harvard Art Museums’ annual and long-term fundraising goals.
- Identify new sources of support from individual major gift prospects and renew existing annual gifts as needed at the $10,000+ level.
- Identify potential candidates for planned giving cultivation and solicitation, as well as additional major gift prospects.
- Work both independently and as a team member to manage relationship building, cultivation, and solicitation within an assigned portfolio of individual major gift donors and prospects with the capacity to make annual and multi-year leadership and major gifts. Assess giving potential, recommend target ask amounts, develop personalized strategies, and secure gifts from each respective prospect.
- Partner with senior members of the Harvard Art Museums staff on strategy, cultivation, and face-to-face visits with donors.
- Work with IA and Finance Office colleagues, as needed, to ensure full redemption of all pledges.
- Participate actively in Major Gift Team meetings with other IA staff to share and invite participation in cultivation and solicitation strategies.
- Work with IA team members to prioritize research needs and develop presentation materials to underpin prospect strategies, including background information and talking points. Prepare proposals as needed to support solicitations.
- Track all prospect outreach and information in Advance (customer relationship management software) in a timely fashion. Prepare and file contact reports and follow effective prospect management recording guidelines.
- In coordination with IA team colleagues, ensure appropriate and meaningful donor recognition and manage the stewardship process for individuals within the assigned portfolio, including preparing gift agreements.
- Ensure ethical handling of confidential donor and prospect information.
- Communicate with donors that resources have been used as intended and share results of donor investments, including presenting relevant information to donors within the assigned portfolio.
- Other duties as requested or assigned.
Working Conditions:
Work-related travel expectations of at least 25%. Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed, including supporting art museums events.
Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role:
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of related experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Must be enthusiastic about advancing the Harvard Art Museums as well as its mission and programs
- At least 1 year of direct solicitations with a proven track record of closing gifts at the $10,000+ level
- Results-oriented and committed to departmental goals with a high degree of initiative to motivate high-level donors and volunteers
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to develop and implement effective cultivation and solicitation strategies
- Proficiency and experience using a donor database
- Ability to work under direction and be a team player, while also working independently and strategically with external constituents
- Ability to set priorities, balance demands of multiple tasks, and meet deadlines
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity, Education, Criminal, and Credit
- Other Information:
- This position has a 3-month orientation and review period.
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Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.
