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Assistant Director of Development, Direct Response Marketing, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Harvard University

Job Description

Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D)
Alumni Affairs and Development is a dedicated team supporting Harvard’s advancement activity through front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, prospect management and research, business process, events, communications, and many other areas.

Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees; to deliver the strongest possible results by incorporating diverse perspectives into our daily work; and to make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. We strive to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation; and open communication and effective information sharing in our daily interactions and our work.

AA&D is comprised of the University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

As part of the FAS Development Communications team, Direct Response Marketing (DRM) drives broad participation among alumni and parents to raise flexible current-use funds for the core mission of the FAS (Harvard College Fund, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Fund). The team combines fundraising principles with use of marketing channels, such as mail, email, phone, and social media, to communicate compelling cases for support that engage with over 100k constituents, inspire annual donors, and build a pipeline of future major donors. The team executes a robust annual strategy in addition to select partner collaborations with Major Gifts, Harvard College Fund, and Gift Planning
The Assistant Director manages two connected areas - digital fundraising appeals and the Student Development Partner (SDP) program. In this role, they project manage email appeals and ThankView campaigns, direct student content creation, analyze performance data, define audience segmentation, and align projects with the larger direct response marketing strategy program to inspire participation and philanthropic support of the FAS.

Position Description

Student Development Partner Program (SDP)
  • Assists the Managing Director with overseeing the strategic direction of the Student Development Partner Program
  • Develops project calendar and corresponding audience segmentation plan ensuring alignment with the integrated DRM strategy and overall FAS fundraising priorities
  • Creates project timelines with corresponding deliverables, identifying necessary SDP hours to accomplish projects, and tracking overall capacity to ensure SDPs are actively engaged throughout their available hours, this includes managing payroll
  • Oversees, recruits, and trains up to 15 SDPs (including up to 2 Leads) each year
  • Provides coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback to all SDPs
  • Coordinates and executes regular full-team and 1:1 SDP meetings and weekly team-Lead meetings to train, review performance, special appeal projects, scheduling, and updates
  • Uses database and technology tools to manage the day-to-day operations of the SDP program. This currently requires fluency in the ThankView platform and in script development, video recording and editing, and closed captioning. It may reintroduce phone and add texting channels in the future
  • Remains “on call” by phone and email during calling shifts (phonathon currently paused), including evenings and weekends, to address extraordinary issues. Associate Director serves as back up
  • Analyzes data and produces reports from SDP outreach platforms, providing current and YOY program statistics and trends; regularly updates stakeholders on results and provides recommendations
  • Manages the setup and deployment of ThankView campaigns
  • Partners with Associate Director, Undergraduate and Recent Graduate Philanthropy on HCF-wide strategy for student involvement, Digital Content Strategist on integrating SDPs into social engagement, and gift officers on special donor outreach projects
Integrated Direct Response Marketing Program
  • Works closely with the Managing Director and Associate Director to translate the overall integrated DRM strategy into an action plan each fiscal year with corresponding deliverables and deadlines for SDP and digital projects
  • Serves as project manager for all DRM email appeals, overseeing the execution of the email appeal strategy, including tracking and assessing results; identifying trends and developing corresponding plans; and creating testing mechanisms to gather data to inform future strategy and direction
  • Coordinates with Development Assistant on list pulls, training on process and serving as back up for general list pulls, and manages more complex list pulls and requests
  • Coordinates with Assistant Director on special partner projects, providing guidance on digital best practice, performance insights, deployment timing, and supporting positive relationship with Email Strategy team
  • Partners with Digital Content Strategist to develop and execute social media strategy, leveraging DRM appeal content and Student Development Partner storytelling to engage donors and prospects
  • Assists with monitoring “reply to” email accounts and replying to inquiries, proofing all projects before final approval, and as needed, sharing project examples upon deployment to Teams channel
  • Cultivates favorable working relationships and works closely with colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development to accomplish annual goals—including but not limited to Operations/Business Intelligence, Development Communications, Student Employment Office, Alumni Development Services (ADS), Harvard University information Technology (HUIT), Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), Office of Major Gifts (OMG), Harvard College Fund team (HCF), and Donor Relations (FDR)

 

Basic Qualifications

  • BA/BS required. Minimum 3+ relevant or transferable experience
  • Excellent interpersonal, visual, and written communications skills, comfortable speaking in group settings
  • Strong organization and time management skills
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to work with, interpret, and report data
  • Strong attention to detail

Additional Qualifications and Skills


  • Ability to establish and promote good working relationships with peers, alumni, and donors.
  • Collaborative, professional, results-oriented team player with a willingness to learn/proactively acquire new skills as technologies and best practices evolve
  • Ability to work independently and prioritize in a complex organizational environment
  • Shows creativity and intellectual curiosity, as well as initiative and flexibility
  • Must have excellent computer skills. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, ThankView or similar video messaging platform, and HTML highly desired. A willingness to learn these programs is required.
  • Experience with databases and platforms desired (such as Advance, ThankView, Adobe Suite, Salesforce Marketing Cloud and social media platforms)
  • Previous experience managing students desired
  • Knowledge of direct response marketing practices highly desired

Additional Information

  • This position requires a 3 month orientation and review period.
  • Please include a cover letter with your application.
To learn more about the AA&D team, please visit our Careers site at https://alumni.harvard.edu/careers

To learn more about how Harvard supports diversity and inclusion throughout the University please visit the Office for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at https://dib.harvard.edu/.

Accommodations: Harvard University 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 let your recruiter know.

COVID 19 Vaccination Information: The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Work Format Details

This position is eligible for 100% remote work. Employees may work from any of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
  • 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.

Job Function

Alumni Affairs and Development

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

405001 Devel Professional (N)

Work Format

Remote

Sub-Unit

-

Salary Grade

056

Department

Alumni Affairs and Development

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

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.

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.

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