Executive Director of Stewardship and Donor Engagement
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.
Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) 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 Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, Communications, Events & Donor Relations, University Development and Advancement Solutions, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and AA&D Administration.
Job Description
The Executive Director of Stewardship and Donor Engagement provides strategic leadership for donor-centered stewardship and engagement efforts in support of the institution’s academic mission and fundraising priorities. This role is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive stewardship program that strengthens long-term relationships with alumni, parents, friends, foundations, and other institutional partners.
Reporting to the AVP for Advancement Communications, Events, and Donor Relations, the Executive Director works collaboratively across Advancement, Academic Affairs, and university leadership to ensure donors experience meaningful, personalized engagement and understand the impact of their philanthropy on students, faculty, research, and programs.
Donor Stewardship & Engagement
Manage timely, accurate, and personalized donor acknowledgements and fulfillment of donor recognition and reporting commitments.
Design and implement donor engagement experiences such as impact updates, scholarship recipient interactions, campus events, and recognition societies.
Develop strategies for donor recognition societies across the gift scales, from encouraging annual gifts to serving on leadership groups.
Oversee all recognition vehicles including donor publications, physical signage, and public announcements of transformative gifts.
Impact Reporting & Communications
Oversee stewardship for all philanthropic gifts, including annual, major, principal, endowed, and restricted funds.
Produce compelling impact reports that highlight student success, faculty excellence, and institutional outcomes.
Translate complex academic and financial information into clear, donor-focused narratives that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy.
Oversee stewardship publications, digital content, and annual or endowed fund reports for donors.
Steward endowed funds in compliance with institutional policies and donor intent, in partnership with finance and academic units.
Collaboration & Campus Partnerships
Collaborate closely with major and principal gift officers to support donor cultivation, solicitation, and long-term relationship management.
Serve as a liaison to academic deans, faculty, and campus partners to support stewardship activities and donor engagement.
Advise senior leadership, trustees, and volunteer leaders on donor relations strategy and best practices.
Data, Systems & Assessment
Use donor data and analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of stewardship and engagement efforts, including donor retention and satisfaction.
Ensure stewardship practices comply with CASE standards, institutional policies, and ethical fundraising guidelines.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in in higher education advancement, donor relations, or stewardship, including senior-level leadership, with a minimum of five years as a manager.
Demonstrated experience stewarding major, principal, and endowed gifts in a university or college environment.
Strong leadership, collaboration, and relationship-management skills in a complex, decentralized organization.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate academic impact into donor-centered messaging.
Experience working with deans, faculty, trustees, and senior university leadership.
Familiarity with higher education CRMs (e.g., Ellucian, Blackbaud, Salesforce).
Knowledge of CASE standards and higher education fundraising best practices.
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:
Strategic and systems-level thinking
Donor-centered stewardship mindset
Collaborative leadership and relationship-building
Cross-campus collaboration and influence
Judgment, discretion, and confidentiality
Data-informed decision-making
High attention to detail and commitment to donor intent
Additional Information
- Orientation and Review Period: 6 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, Education, Criminal
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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 062. 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.