Managing Director of Gift Planning

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 Medical School?

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.

You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

About the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development:

The Office of Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD) at Harvard Medical School advances the School’s mission by inspiring philanthropy, fostering lifelong engagement, and building enduring partnerships with alumni, donors, volunteers, and friends around the world. Together, AAD professionals help secure the resources that fuel transformative biomedical research, educate future physician-scientists and health care leaders, and accelerate discoveries that improve human health. Through a shared commitment to collaboration, innovation, integrity, and exceptional service, AAD creates meaningful opportunities for individuals to invest in Harvard Medical School’s vision and contribute to solutions for the world’s most pressing health challenges. Every member of the AAD team plays an important role in strengthening the School’s philanthropic and engagement efforts, ensuring that the generosity of its community translates into lasting impact for science, medicine, and society.

Job Description

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations within Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD), the Managing Director of Gift Planning provides strategic leadership for a comprehensive gift planning program at Harvard Medical School (HMS). The Managing Director is the School’s lead expert on planned giving, manages fundraising and administrative staff, and works collaboratively across HMS and the University to secure deferred, complex, and blended gifts in support of HMS’s mission to alleviate suffering and improve health and well-being for all. 

Program Leadership & Strategy 

• Lead the overall management and strategic direction of the HMS Gift Planning program, ensuring alignment with School and University fundraising priorities. 
• Develop and implement annual and multi-year plans with clear qualitative and quantitative goals for the program. 
• Monitor progress, analyze results, and adjust strategies based on data and evolving opportunities. 
• Serve as a key member of AAD’s Office Management Group (OMG). Work with fellow OMG members to integrate office-wide operating plans to create departmental fundraising and engagement goals, identify and help to address emerging issues affecting AAD.     
• Forecast and maintain Gift Planning team annual budgets. 

Team Management & Collaboration 

• Supervise and mentor two direct reports, including goal-setting, performance management, and professional development. 
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the Gift Planning team and across AAD. 
• Partner closely with Principal and Major Gifts, Annual and Leadership Giving, and other units to integrate gift planning into broader fundraising and engagement strategies. 

Prospect & Portfolio Management 

• Oversee management and growth of the HMS planned giving prospect pool of alumni, friends, and other key constituents. 
• Assign prospects to gift planning team members and other AAD colleagues as appropriate; conduct regular portfolio and pipeline reviews. 
• Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 80+ prospects. 
• Design and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for planned, blended, and outright gifts; prepare proposals and related materials in coordination with School and University partners. Marketing, Donor Engagement & Internal Education.
• In collaboration with the Development Communications team, direct a comprehensive marketing program to educate, cultivate, and steward current and prospective planned giving donors. 
• Incorporate best practices and emerging trends in planned giving marketing to enhance HMS’s visibility and results. 
• Lead strategy and programming for the Ezekiel Hersey Council, HMS’s life income and legacy society, with a focus on retentions, growth, engagement, and additional giving. 
• Serve as a primary resource on gift planning vehicles and concepts for development colleagues, faculty, and volunteer leaders; provide training and guidance as needed. 

Gift Administration & Compliance 

• In partnership with Harvard University Gift Planning and Harvard Office of Gift Administration, assist with tracking, administration, and processing of estate settlements, bequests, trusts, and other planned giving vehicles. 
• Ensure compliance with University policies and relevant legal and regulatory requirements. 
• Maintain accurate prospect, proposal, and gift information in the development database. 

Other 

• Represent HMS at internal and external events; travel to meet with donors and prospects as appropriate. 
• Perform other related duties as required.

As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required. 
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible development experience, including significant experience with planned giving and/or complex philanthropic gifts. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of prospects and closing major and/or planned gifts.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing sophisticated fundraising strategies to cultivate, solicit, and secure major and principal gifts through planned giving techniques. 
• Expert knowledge of planned giving vehicles, charitable tax law, estate planning principles, and trust administration in a nonprofit or financial services setting; ability to explain complex concepts clearly to donors, non-experts, estate attorneys, financial advisors, and other professional partners. 
• Proven ability to identify, qualify, cultivate, and engage high-net-worth individuals within and beyond the Harvard community, using an entrepreneurial and proactive approach to relationship development. 
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with demonstrated success preparing and presenting compelling proposals to donors and prospects. 
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple initiatives, and use data and performance metrics to inform strategy and decision-making. 
• Sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, and integrity in handling confidential information and working with prospects, donors, volunteers, and HMS staff. 
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with individuals at all levels—including faculty, senior administrators, and diverse stakeholders—in a complex organizational environment. Proven success in building trust across constituencies while exercising sound judgment, working independently, and managing priorities in a fast-paced setting. 
• Willingness and ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends. 
• Strong knowledge of gift planning vehicles, charitable tax law, and estate planning concepts, with the ability to communicate these clearly to donors and non-experts. 
• Proven ability to work effectively with high-level donors, volunteer leaders, faculty, and senior administrators in a complex organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; demonstrated success preparing and presenting proposals. 
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills; comfort using data and metrics to inform decisions. 
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and integrity in handling confidential information. 

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week. Hybrid working environment with one day required in the office per week. Ability to travel and to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

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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 061. 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.