Managing Director of Research, FAS

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).

The Managing Director proactively identifies opportunities for prospect identification and qualification for purposes of pipeline development. Plans, develops, and implements prospect research strategies that provide information needed to maximize philanthropic engagement. Develops focused research profiles, prospect lists, identifies networks and analysis of philanthropic interests for potential FAS prospects. Uses in house and external resources to identify new prospects. Interprets biographical and financial information on individuals, corporations and foundations based on fundraising strategies and objectives. Keeps abreast of current events, philanthropic trends and Harvard’s fundraising objectives.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

FAS Research Lead

• Manages four to seven full time researchers who support FAS fundraising efforts.
• Leads and oversees the full range of associated initiatives and activities that result in the identification of prospective new FAS donors, including both FAS affiliates and unaffiliated entities.
• Serves as the day-to-day lead on behalf of the AA&D Research and Prospect Management team for FAS leadership.
• Work in close partnership with FAS leadership to ensure proposed strategies align with FAS business needs and research team objectives.
• Collaborate with FAS leadership to fully understand goals, assess needs, appropriately prioritize and work with research colleagues to implement best in class research strategies with the goal of providing timely, efficient, actionable, and value-added information to build prospect pipelines and inform fundraising strategies.
• Leverage research expertise and knowledge of FAS priorities to advise on appropriate research activities to meet key fundraising and relationship building objectives.
• Utilize innovation and creative approaches that support FAS fundraisers in meeting outlined goals and objectives.

Oversight of FAS Research Efforts

• Manages FAS Research staff, assists in hiring decisions, and provides training and mentoring. Manages performance and determines staffing and other resource needs. Designs and implements professional development plans for reporting staff to demonstrate growth and improvement in identified areas.
• Coordinates prospect identification and qualification efforts, establishes and maintains production and quality control standards for materials produced by the unit with regard to accuracy, content, presentation, and consistency. Identifies ways to improve the dissemination and storage of information.
• Works with FAS senior leadership to identify meaningful metrics for progress towards goals
• Provide guidance, direction, and mentorship to research colleagues in support of research strategies.
• Keep abreast of advances in research and advise on approaches to improve efficiency and outcomes.
• Ensure cohesiveness of research efforts across FAS and the team, creating efficiencies and reducing duplication of efforts in upholding best in business research strategy.
• Identify independent and/or team projects that would help in FAS research assessment, speaking at fundraiser meetings when appropriate.

Research, Qualification, and Prospect Identification

• Provides direct research support to the FAS Dean for Development, as well as limited FAS fundraisers.
• Marries research and wealth expertise with comprehensive understanding of FAS priorities and initiatives to guide research and prospect identification efforts.
• Analyze and synthesize complex information into clearly communicated commendations, articulating how proposed action supports FAS objectives can be achieved.
• Accurately and efficiently analyze complex financial disclosure documents, real estate and other wealth indicators for the purpose of determining accurate University Capacity Ratings.¿
• 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.
• Communicate complex information in an easily digestible a fashion.
• 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:

• Minimum eight years of professional prospect research experience required.
• 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 at planning, organizing, and setting meaningful objectives, integrating the work of prospect research into overall advancement goals.
• Proficiency with wealth indicators and ability to locate and analyze complex financial disclosure documents required.
• 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.
• Previous management experience preferred.
• Strong communication skills with experience to back up recommendations and strategies undertaken.
• Experience working in a decentralized University is a plus.
• Familiarity and curiosity about innovative research tools and practices, including those assisted/enabled by AI and other emerging capabilities
• 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.
• 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 required.
• Strong attention to accuracy and detail required.
• Ability to multi-task on different projects and initiatives and ability to work under strict deadlines.

Additional Information

• Orientation and Review: 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 059. 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.