Strategic Director of Endowment and Gifts

Job Summary

Reporting to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Dean of Administration and Finance, the Strategic Director of Endowment and Gifts will function as a key strategic partner of the Dean and all fund managers, including Department Chairs and Academic Center Directors, in managing the expenditure of endowment funds toward the mission of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, while ensuring stewardship in accordance with endowment terms and donor intent.

This newly created position will lead the school's effort to optimize the use of its endowments to ensure that Harvard FAS is always at the forefront of teaching, learning, and discovery. Working in partnership with key fund-raising and management functions, including the Development Office, Office of General Counsel (OGC), FAS Faculty Affairs, FAS Chief Finance Officer, FAS Controller, and the Deans, the Director will lead the development of an analytical framework to unlock the potential of FAS's endowed funds in the service of the school's mission, and the missions of our Departments and Academic Centers.

The successful candidate is exceptionally well-organized and action-oriented, a data-driven, skilled analyst, an excellent listener, and a thoughtful communicator. This role offers an opportunity to work in partnership with a wide variety of stakeholders across FAS, and the successful candidate will have a record of demonstrated success working effectively across all levels of an organization from entry-level staff to organizational leaders. (Including academic and administrative leaders, faculty, and staff).

Auto req ID

58328BR

Job Code

360060 Admin Offcr/SrIndiv Contrib

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Business Title

Strategic Director of Endowment and Gifts

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

060

Time Status

Full-time

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 10 years? relevant work experience
• Prior experience with data analysis

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced degree (including MBA, MPA, JD)
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of advanced financial administration principles
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and partnerships
• Diplomatic skills
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor

Department

Office of the Dean for Administration and Finance

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Job Function

General Administration

Position Description

Leads strategic thinking on use of FAS's endowments & gifts ? As part of the FAS management team, leads the effort to better understand the use of endowed funds. With the support of the FAS finance team, creates analysis and tools for the management of funds. Serves as a partner to key stakeholders and acts as a resource to all members of the finance functions throughout FAS. Serves as a thought leader in the effort to maximize the use of resources toward school initiatives and program needs.

Engages with senior leadership, faculty, administrators, and others to provide guidance on policy, practice, and process? develops, recommends, and communicates policy, best practices, and processes for the effective, efficient management of endowment and gift funds. Serves as a school-level expert on portfolio of funds by developing a deep understanding of fund terms, fund history, organizational relationships, etc.

Partners with Harvard Alumni Affairs and Development (AA & D) team and program leadership - collaborate on the development of fund terms, new accounts, and managing implementation processes. Collaborates with AAD and OGC and others to assist with the creation of gift terms to ensure both donor intent and school needs are clearly and concisely captured. Collaborates regularly with the AAD Donor Relations team to develop financial components of stewardship reports to donors and endowment management of funds.

Supports development of the annual budget. Works in partnership with academic administrators and FAS Finance on the development of highly complex annual budgets, including specialized financial analysis and modeling, specifically supporting plans for use of endowment and gift funds. Partners with the Accounting team to ensure standard approaches are documented, executed timely, reported, and audited.

School/Unit

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.