Assistant Director of Research

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

Alumni Affairs and Development is a dedicated team supporting Harvard’s advancement activity through front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, prospect management and research, business process, events, communications, and many other areas.

Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees; 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. We strive to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation; and open communication and effective information sharing in our daily interactions and our work.

AA&D is comprised of the University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

Research & Prospect Management contributes to the fundraising efforts of Harvard University by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information to direct and inform solicitation and engagement strategy for prospective donors. The team provides strategic information and analysis to Harvard’s fundraising community to ensure that efforts are focused on working with the right donors for the right gifts at the right time.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Maintain a portfolio of fundraising initiatives and/or departments and provide expertise in research, qualification, and prospect identification.
• Provide and direct high level, creative prospect identification and pipeline building strategies.
• With significant autonomy, understand and develop strategies to prioritize and meet the research needs of relevant/assigned stakeholders.
• Accurately and efficiently analyze complex financial disclosure documents, real estate and other wealth indicators for the purpose of determining accurate University Capacity Ratings.¿
• Provide strategic insights about prospect capacity, inclination and philanthropic behaviors that contribute to the overall fundraising strategy for the units supported.
• Use specialized electronic resources to gather and analyze information and work with confidential as well as publicly accessible information, with a view to assessing donor interest and alignment with the University.
• Develop focused research profiles, prospect lists, identifies networks and analysis of philanthropic interests for fundraising staff University-wide.
• Translate fundraising goals into actionable and strategic research and prospect identification efforts.
• Communicate complex information in an easily digestible fashion.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to Research Analysts.
• Balance various research outcomes, assess prioritization, and recommend strategies for assessing risk with fundraisers and other stakeholders.
• Apply extensive knowledge of resources to know when reasonable efforts have been exhausted.
• Keep abreast of current events, philanthropic trends, due diligence methodologies, and Harvard’s fundraising objectives.

Working Conditions:

This is a position for which school or unit leaders have determined 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.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• A minimum of four (4) years of experience with wealth-related research or related experience, preferably in a development-related environment.
• You will be expected to work certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each Spring, and participate in department retreats that are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of analyzing complex financial SEC documents for purposes of wealth analysis.
• Academic, library or legal research will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Strong communication skills with experience to back up recommendations and strategies undertaken.
• Sound judgement and ability to make independent decisions regarding necessary levels and strategic direction of research needed per request.
• Familiarity and curiosity about innovative research tools and practices, including those assisted/enabled by AI and other emerging capabilities
• Proficiency at formulating an online search strategy.
• Experience with private company valuation and valuation of options, as well as analysis of hedge funds, venture capital and private equity for the purpose of determining estimated wealth and identifying upcoming wealth events.
• Proficiency with wealth indicators and ability to locate and analyze complex financial disclosure documents required.
• Proficiency with business terms, documents, and practices preferred.
• Ability to come to sound conclusions independently, showcasing a rational, logical, and efficient thought process.
• Clear and succinct written and verbal communication.
• Ability to use extreme discretion when working with highly confidential information required.
• Proficiency at planning, organizing, and setting meaningful objectives, integrating the work of prospect research into overall advancement goals.
• Development experience preferred.
• Strong self-direction and self-motivation.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with people at all levels, and willingness to function as part of a team.
• Knowledge of specialized fee-based research databases helpful.
• Strong attention to accuracy and detail required.
• Ability to multi-task on different projects and initiatives and ability to work under strict deadlines.
• Demonstrates curiosity, creative thinking and continuous learning.
• Assesses fundraiser needs, accesses and analyzes information and resources relevant to work with minimal supervision.
• Mitigates risk to the University by identifying any reputational concerns and communicating them appropriately.
• Produces accurate, thorough, and professional work aligned with timing/deadline expectations.
• Takes initiative to identify strategies for providing actionable insights that help turn prospects into donors.
• Acts on opportunities to partner across the organization, within and outside of their groups.

Additional Information

• Orientation and Review Period: 3 months
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information: To learn more about AA&D and our team, please visit us here!

Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). 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.