Director, Principal & Major Gifts

The Director, Principal & Major Gifts will work within an entrepreneurial and dynamic School environment, collaborating with faculty, senior administration, and University officials to manage a portfolio of prospects with a focus on securing gifts of $500k+. The incumbent will secure funding for School and Center priorities, lead strategies for assigned regions, Centers, priorities, and projects, and achieve ambitious activity and revenue goals.

What You Will Do

Manages a portfolio of 75-100 principal and major gifts prospects and donors. Achieves monthly visit and annual solicitation and revenue goals. Develops appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to consistently deepen engagement of entire portfolio and grow philanthropic revenue aligned with School and Center priorities.

Why It Might Be a Fit

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record in cultivating, soliciting, and closing six-and seven-figure gifts in a complex environment, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to persuade and negotiate with peer leaders and external partners on issues and programs that impact ARRD and the School.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 7+ years of experience in fundraising in a complex higher education, academic medical research organization, or similarly complex organization
• Demonstrated track record in cultivating, soliciting, and closing six-and seven-figure gifts in a complex environment
• Direct experience partnering with senior leadership, faculty, and/or board members in a complex organization
• Demonstrated track record of cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals, volunteers, and diverse international donors
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to persuade and negotiate with peer leaders and external partners on issues and programs that impact ARRD and the School
• Strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to develop and implement both long- and short-term fundraising plans
• High degree of political savvy and cultural sensitivity in navigating complex donor relationships
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including pipeline and portfolio management
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex content into compelling cases for support and to communicate HKS' mission effectively
• Experience in a metrics-driven environment; comfort with data-driven decision-making and fundraising metrics
• Knowledge of industry best practices in philanthropy and fundraising
• Familiarity with donor databases (e.g., Advance, Salesforce, or similar CRM)
• Ability to work nights and weekends and to travel as required

Benefits

• 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