Development Coordinator

Development CoordinatorThe Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) educates design, research, and scholarship leaders to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers degree programs across a range of design disciplines—architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, design engineering, and real estate—as well as advanced research programs that cut across these disciplines and a robust public program of lectures, exhibitions, and publications. The GSD is Harvard's epicenter for scholarship and innovation related to the built environment. Our faculty and students address defining questions across architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and design, real estate, and design engineering, advancing fields that profoundly influence the human experience.Development and Alumni Relations is central to advancing these goals. Our dynamic and collaborative team, including five frontline fundraising positions, is pivoting toward a more metrics- and goal-oriented major and principal gifts program designed to significantly increase philanthropic support for the School.Reporting to the Senior Director, Major Gifts and Individual Philanthropy, the Development Coordinator provides the highest administrative support to up to three major gift officers. The individual in this role works both independently and collaboratively to manage competing priorities to meet deadlines. The Development Coordinator is expected to take initiative, manage projects with meticulous attention to detail, communicate effectively and professionally, and be willing to develop new skills continuously. This person serves as a key administrative contact and liaison for external and internal constituencies, including alums, donors, senior administrators, and faculty and development colleagues. The individual in this role maintains a "no job is too big or small" philosophy.Job-Specific Responsibilities:Provides support to all aspects of the fundraisers' prospect management process, including (but not limited to) drafting prospect outreach, data gathering and maintenance, scheduling, meeting preparation, and follow-up on action items.Maintains calendar for the gift officers, organizes meetings, and takes and distributes notes.Achieves proficiency in the alum/donor CRM system to research prospects, analyze data and produce reports.Regularly manages updates to the alumni/donor CRM system to ensure all information is entered accurately and timely.Partners with fundraisers to write high-quality donor briefings for meetings with the Dean, President, Provost, Faculty, and other staff.Develops and prepares necessary meeting and solicitation materials before prospect meetings and is responsible for supporting post-meeting follow-up, including submitting contact/visit reports.Coordinates fundraiser travel arrangements, reimbursements, and expenses in collaboration with the budget office.Provides customer service to internal and external stakeholders such as donors and/or alums both domestically and internationally.Represents the fundraising team in the planning and execution of some high-level events. Acts as primary logistical support for small-scale development events for three major gift officers.Serves as a resource for policies, protocols, and procedures.Strategizes new and creative ways for fundraising efforts to be more efficient and productive through proactive process refinement.Maintains robust communication with other areas of the development office and the school to address questions from the fundraising team and keep information flowing in all directions.Participates in various team and staff meetings throughout the year and is an engaged member of the team.Performs other duties as required in response to the department's changing needs.This position's responsibilities also consist of varied projects and tasks that arise out of ongoing shifting demands that cannot always be foreseen. Flexibility, priority-setting and re-prioritizing, and initiative are essential.Supervisory Responsibilities:There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this position.Physical Requirements:Applicants must be able to perform typical office tasks, including sitting for extended periods, using standard office equipment, and occasionally lifting up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.Work Environment:This position is based in Cambridge, MA, and requires on-campus work one or more days a week. The work is mainly performed in an office setting. Flexible work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process.This position is hybrid and open to candidates residing in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. However, it is essential for the Development Coordinator to be present at the GSD frequently and on a flexible basis according to priorities.Candidates must have employment authorization to work in the US, and we regret that we cannot sponsor a VISA.Candidates who do not live within commuting distance of our Cambridge, Massachusetts campus should indicate on their resumes whether they are "willing to relocate," as this position requires a regular on-campus presence.Please note that to be considered for this position, a cover letter and resume are required with the submission of your application.Qualifications:Basic Qualifications:HS diploma and minimum of 3 years of related administrative support experience.Demonstrated excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to proofread and ensure accuracy in written materials.Microsoft Office and general computer literacy, including proficiency with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office or Google Workspace) and experience with at least one Development CRM (e.g., Advance, Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar).Additional Qualifications and Skills:Bachelor's degree preferred.Experience in a development office or academic setting preferred.Must be highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to maintain accuracy and manage competing priorities.Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills.Must be customer service-oriented, with the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, faculty, and stakeholders across the University.Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment while managing multiple assignments, meeting deadlines, and resolving problems in a dynamic, multi-faceted environment.Embody a high degree of professionalism and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with sound judgment, tact, and discretion.Previous experience in a nonprofit or fundraising office, donor relations, or development data management.Ability to thoughtfully employ AI-assisted tools for written communications, data-driven tasks, and workflow support, while exercising strong professional judgment and ensuring outputs align with institutional standards.Self-motivated and proactive, with a willingness to learn, ask questions, identify opportunities for improvement, and contribute to team success.Must be enthusiastic, flexible, and adaptable to change, with a collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.Additional Information:Salary Information: The specific annualized hiring range for this position will be $65,000-75,000Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per weekVisa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this positionPre-Employment Screening: Identity.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 054. 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 leaveMedical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day oneRetirement plans with university contributions