Development Coordinator

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. At the GSD, research and teaching drive creative solutions to the world's most urgent challenges, reimagining infrastructure, communities, and cities on a global scale. 

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:

The list below covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. However, it does not exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position. 

• 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.