Associate Director, Development Operations

The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University seeks an Associate Director, Development Operations to support the Institute’s ambitious fundraising efforts.

The Salata Institute draws from expertise across the University to pursue real-world solutions to address the climate crisis. The Institute is taking a unique approach in utilizing its research excellence to galvanize Harvard’s network of climate-focused scholars, students, practitioners, and staff to work across disciplinary boundaries. The Institute’s research produces critical new knowledge in all areas relevant to the climate crisis, including but not limited to engineering and technology; public policy, politics, law, and governance; health; culture; and the humanities. The Institute will go beyond creating novel structures to advance research and education, utilizing Harvard’s significant convening power to ensure that this knowledge informs real and effective action globally.

The AssociateDirector will report to, and partner with, the Director of Development to develop funder journeys that build solid and lasting donor relationships, develop and manage robust internal systems, including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The Associate Director will lead portfolio management operations, including researching prospects and donors, creating briefs, tracking proposals, organizing donor-related events, and handling donor communications, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of the development enterprise. The Associate Director will need to deploy excellent leadership, communication and team-building skills that are essential for managing cross-functional teams and driving organizational change.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate Director will have the following key responsibilities:

Prospect development and management

• Manage a complex and growing international donor pipeline; deploy knowledge of diverse stakeholders, including governmental agencies, non-profits, community organizations.
• Lead and continuously improve processes for prospect development, including effective Moves management
• Oversee and independently initiate research to identify new prospects and opportunities for engagement, including monitoring reports, news alerts, and other data sources to update donor records as well as making stakeholder and rightsholder networks.
• Effectively deploy knowledge of climate change principles, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate policies in managing complex stakeholder networks.
• Assist in developing donor cultivation strategies and actively assist the Director of Development in donor solicitations.
• Support the Salata Institute Management Team in reviewing prospect portfolios and Moves management progress, providing timely and relevant background documents and briefing materials as well as provide strategy input.

Data & systems management

• Oversee and lead the selection, implementation, and day-to-day management of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, including proper integration with other internal databases (e.g., grant management portals).
• Collaborate with colleagues, including the University Development Office, Schools’ Climate Leads, and Salata Institute Management team to ensure donor records are complete and accurate in the database and that the CRM is optimally used to engage donors, partners, and grantees.
• Create and maintain system policies and procedures that promote quality donor data and data integrity; establish, document, and implement proper parameters for data management, including data-entry policies and procedures.
• Proactively make system recommendations that promote the efficient flow of donor information to appropriate users.
• Actively seek and update contact information through outreach and research.
• Train colleagues in using the CRM and periodically audit processes to ensure compliance.
• Consult with colleagues to track and report donor engagement activities, progress, and trends.
• Prepare fundraising activity reports.

Donor communications & events

• Assist in developing a range of donor communications to ensure high-quality, consistent engagement with prospects and donors, including funding proposals and donor reports.
• Manage content development in partnership with cross-functional teams with the Institute and across Harvard University to drive organizational alignment and change.
• Prepare and track donor acknowledgments.
• Support the execution of large-scale donor events (e.g., Climate Week NYC, London Climate Week, COP, Davos) including logistical preparations, collaborating with vendors, preparing and tracking invitations, and producing briefing documents on prospects and donors in preparation for events.
• Evaluate donor communications activities and events.

Project management and administrative functions

• Project manage key development functions across multiple teams, from design through execution and follow-up, keeping detailed records and tracking next steps.
• Support the Director of Development with administrative tasks, including coordinating and scheduling meetings, updating files, and organizing donor visits.
• In partnership with the Director of Development, assess the effectiveness of the development enterprise and implement improvements where needed to enhance efficiency and collaboration.
• Other duties as assigned.

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications to be considered for this role:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five years of experience in development or a related field.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong organization, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced CRM and data management knowledge, including data entry, evolving technologies, and best practices.
• Experience producing protocols on CRM usage and training colleagues to use a CRM.
• Proficient in manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data.
• Experience with institutional donors, including foundations, corporations, and donor-advised funds.
• Ability to manage and implement complex processes in ways that duly engage colleagues.
• Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience are appreciated.
• Collaborative and team-oriented with the ability to work in partnership with others.
• Demonstrates organizational values of equity, agility, humility, integrity, and care
• Entrepreneurial systems thinker with a growth mindset.
• Handles tasks of any size with a can-do attitude.
• Are passionate about being part of the climate change solution.

• A cover letter is required.
• This is a full-time position based on the Harvard University campus with the option of working remotely one day per week and will require time flexibility to collaborate with staff and stakeholders in multiple time zones. The position supervisor is in the GMT-8 time zone.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically or internationally at 20%.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening.
• Harvard University is unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.
• This position has a 90-day orientation and review period.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfill the requirements set out in the job announcement by clicking on the link below.

Accessibility:

Harvard University IT plays an important role in supporting Harvard's commitment to accessibility by seeking to create, procure and deploy technologies that are accessible to all, including and especially those who live with disability. Harvard welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.