Vice President, Alumni Affairs and Development at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Harvard University

Vice President, Alumni Affairs and Development

Harvard University seeks an innovative, collaborative, and experienced leader to serve as its next Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development (VPAA&D). Applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited.

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and one of the most prestigious globally. Nestled along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is renowned for its commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, and research. With a diverse community of over 25,000 students, nearly 20,000 faculty and staff, and more than 400,000 alumni, Harvard fosters an environment of both intellectual transformation and societal impact. The university's extensive global network, including 22 international locations, and its rich history of innovation and leadership make it an exciting and dynamic place for its faculty, students, and staff to shape the future.

Harvard University's Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) strives to foster and sustain a highly engaged, vibrant community of alumni and friends worldwide and to lead the university's fundraising efforts in support of Harvard's mission. AA&D pursues these objectives via a broad alumni affairs and development organization comprising a central group of offices overseen by the VPAA&D working in close collaboration with Harvard's individual school and unit AA&D offices. This collaboration is one of the lasting achievements of The Harvard Campaign, with the Council of Fundraising Deans a group comprising the deans of development and alumni affairs from each Harvard School, chaired by the VPAA&D - reenergized, in regular communication, and committed to strengthening cross-university ties. To support this alignment, the President and Fellows of Harvard College, the university's fiduciary governing board, implemented in Fall 2019 a dotted-line reporting line structure connecting the fundraising dean of each School to the VPAA&D.

Harvard's next Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development will join the university at an important moment. With the appointment of Alan M. Garber as President, to whom this position directly reports, Harvard has the opportunity to shape a new era in its partnership with alumni, donors, and friends. Among the new VPAA&D's priorities will be leading, motivating, and managing a talented and dedicated team of more than 450 professionals whose work is supported by a budget of $80 million; serving as a trusted advisor to President Garber and leaders across Harvard; supporting the success of university-wide AA&D in alignment with university priorities; advancing the goal of One Harvard by creating new opportunities for donor-centric and transformative gift opportunities; leveraging technology to create contemporary constituent communications and engagement platforms; and serving as one of Harvard's primary principal gifts officers.

To achieve these priorities and thrive in the Harvard community, the new VPAA&D will be a leader of extraordinary integrity, intellect, and emotional intelligence with the experience required to lead an alumni affairs and development program of unparalleled scope and scale within a complex and highly decentralized environment. The new VPAA&D must engender the deep respect and trust of their colleagues across Harvard and have the organizational acumen to navigate the complexities of leading a central operation that supports decentralized fundraising programs-through enterprise systems and university policies and practices-working successfully with School deans and others to create unprecedented opportunities at the institutional level in support of One Harvard. The VPAA&D will also bring a strong commitment to and understanding of the possibilities of new technologies that support a $1B annual fundraising operation and create vibrant, dynamic platforms for engaging and communicating with Harvard alumni, donors, and friends. Experience with conceptualizing transformative gifts; developing complex and coordinated strategies; and cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making this level of investment in Harvard is essential.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile available atwww.wittkieffer.com. WittKieffer is assisting Harvard University in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to:

Greg Duyck, Suzanne Teer, and Ashlee Winters Musser

HarvardVPAAD@wittkieffer.com

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.

Harvard is 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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