Position and Candidate Specification

A Compelling Leadership Opportunity at a Transformative Moment

Harvard University seeks a leader who will shape the future of philanthropic engagement for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), which includes Harvard College, inspiring investments in scholarship and research that are vital to our society and the world. FAS, which accounts for 32% of all Harvard fundraising, is at the very core of the University—home to an extraordinary community of faculty, students, and alumni, including some of the world’s most celebrated scholars and innovators across the arts, sciences, and humanities. Led by Edgerley Family Dean Hopi Hoekstra, FAS is poised for bold ideas and transformative development leadership. This is a pivotal opportunity to help realize ambitious aspirations on a global scale at Harvard.

As Associate Vice President and Dean for FAS Development, you will lead a team of over 180 individuals and champion an agenda that fuels FAS’s continued fundraising momentum. With an annual goal of $425M, this role is similar to that of a chief advancement officer at many of the country’s leading colleges and universities. The next leader will have the opportunity to guide the philanthropic efforts that advance Dean Hoekstra’s vision for academic excellence and innovation, as part of a broader team of outstanding development leaders across the University.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is the largest academic division of the University, bringing together more than a thousand faculty members across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering and applied sciences. Over its nearly 400-year history, FAS has been home to pioneering scholars and Nobel laureates whose discoveries have shaped entire fields of study. From groundbreaking research breakthroughs to foundational liberal arts education, FAS faculty continue to define excellence and global impact, advancing knowledge that resonates far beyond Harvard’s campus. Working alongside FAS academic deans and unit leaders, you will ensure that development strategies remain closely aligned with core priorities.

You will also be a key member of newly appointed Vice President Jim Husson’s Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) leadership team, partnering with him to propel the University’s broader advancement efforts forward. Serving on the AA&D Executive Team, you will help shape University-wide fundraising tactics and organizational culture. By championing an expansive, forward-thinking, and data-driven approach, you will help position Harvard at the forefront of philanthropic engagement during this critical time for higher education in the United States. This position is located on campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with frequent travel required.

We seek a leader who embraces FAS's academic and societal mission while bringing a fresh perspective, a commitment to fostering a high-performing team, and the energy to channel Harvard’s storied legacy into innovative philanthropic initiatives. The next Dean for Development will be an excellent communicator with exceptional judgment, bringing a track record of leading teams that represent best-practice models, a desire to contribute to a culture committed to the highest standards of performance and professional growth, and a passion for developing talent and camaraderie.

If you are driven by the opportunity to be part of a dynamic leadership team, fuel groundbreaking research and scholarship, and guide a dedicated community of development professionals toward achieving ambitious goals, we invite you to explore this role further.

The Associate Vice President and Dean for FAS Development has a dual reporting relationship to both the Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and to the Vice President of Alumni Affairs and Development.

Candidate Profile

Harvard seeks a seasoned development executive with the capacity to contribute to all aspects of FAS’s and Harvard’s success and strategic priorities; the ability to engage staff and constituents in a dialogue about the role the University plays in the world and the work of any of its schools and centers; and a desire to apply their unique gifts and talents to the University’s academic and societal mission.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Management

Oversee fundraising efforts across the FAS, including the following areas: Harvard College, the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Division of Science, the Division of Arts and Humanities, the Division of Social Science, the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Department of Athletics, the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, FAS Library, and the Division of Continuing Education. Develop and execute annual and multi-year operating plans that reflect the priorities and desired outcomes of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Recruit, supervise, and mentor a senior leadership team responsible for overseeing the major functions, including major giving, gift planning, principal giving, the Harvard College Fund, development communications, stewardship and donor relations, academic and development coordination and planning and operations.
Lead and motivate a diverse and committed staff and manage successfully across change and growth. Develop team members by providing clear and direct feedback in a manner that is motivated by a desire to help individuals grow while advancing the overarching goals of the organization and the needs of the team.
Serve as a member of the AA&D Vice President’s executive team and the FAS Dean’s leadership team. Serve on other leadership committees and steering committees as requested.
Develop, manage, and steward the annual operating budget in alignment with the FAS Dean’s directives and the overall resource administration practices of AA&D.
Engage with genuine interest and curiosity with the faculty at the FAS and participate actively in the life of the campus.
Advocate strongly and persuasively for the interests of FAS in numerous settings.
Continue to lead the evolution of the FAS development as one that embraces best-in-class systems and processes to support the fundraising efforts. Develop and mine data that enables the FAS to broaden and better understand its prospective donor community.

Fundraising Leadership

Partner closely with the FAS Dean and members of the FAS Leadership Group to shape concepts and ideas that frame the development agenda; provide expertise on the agenda’s feasibility based on data-driven analysis and assessment of prospect viability.
As the Chief Development Officer for the FAS, develop and execute annual and multi-year fundraising objectives aligned with FAS priorities and capture the participation of diverse alumni, parents, and friends.
Expand and nurture a broad and diverse community of volunteers and donors that reflects the diversity of the ever-evolving university community and our world.
Personally hold responsibility for a principal gift portfolio composed of FAS top prospects; lead and manage a high-performing, collaborative fundraising team and develop strategies to grow annual fundraising goals.
Partner closely with the FAS finance team, Vice President of AA&D, Associate Vice President of AA&D Resources, and Senior Director of Finance and Administration to support annual and multi-year budget planning.
Lead and support the comprehensive fundraising volunteer leadership community, including establishing a long-term leadership development and succession plan and designing content and roles that advance FAS development priorities.

University-wide Leadership and Participation

Understand the coherence, power, and synergy of the partnership between the FAS and the university’s AA&D; strengthen a “One Harvard” culture of philanthropy through establishing relationships built on mutual trust across FAS, AA&D, and the broader institution, including academic and administrative leadership, fundraising and governance volunteers, faculty, staff, alumni and other external constituents, and advancement professionals.
Collaborate closely with the Vice President of AA&D and the university development office on coordination of university principal gift prospects, strategies, and opportunities.
In partnership with the AA&D executive team, participate in the design, planning, and execution of university-wide campaigns and initiatives that have direct or indirect impact on FAS.
Participate in the regular UDO-convened President’s prospect review committee meetings to advise on strategy and foster alignment with FAS.
Manage, monitor, and facilitate cross-school fundraising by FAS alumni as appropriate.
Facilitate the FAS development team and FAS leaders’ involvement in the university-wide, multi-year AA&D next-gen enterprise systems project that will reimagine how modern technology supports alumni engagement.
Serve as a member of the university council of fundraising Deans and support the values and principles outlined in the "One Harvard" fundraising aspiration.
Serve as key facilitator and collaborator between FAS development, the Harvard Alumni Association, the university development office, and the FAS academic and administrative leadership.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 15 years of experience leading a large development enterprise within a complex university or similar institution; a history of building strong teams of highly functioning and collaborative individuals, as well as an exemplary background in recruitment and retention of talented staff.
The capacity and intellectual curiosity to contribute to all aspects of FAS and Harvard’s success and strategic priorities, the ability to engage staff and constituents in dialogue about the role the University plays in the world and the work of any of its schools and centers, and a desire to apply their unique gifts and talents to the University’s academic and societal mission.
Exceptional track record of working with a wide range of donors, leading to important and transformational gifts and the execution of highly sophisticated stewardship strategies.
Demonstrated track record of investing in and successfully managing a team that draws on different backgrounds, different perspectives, and different experiences to drive innovation; success mentoring, developing, and empowering staff of different backgrounds, while advancing the overarching goals of the organization and the needs of the team.
A proven track record of success in personally developing relationships between philanthropists and an institution over time.
Knowledge of and experience with using data to drive fundraising strategy; ability to shift priorities in response to results and trends; and highly skilled in the areas of planning, critical thinking, and analysis.
Outstanding communication skills, including public speaking and experience serving as the face of, and advocate for, an organization, with evidenced ability to handle difficult situations with diplomacy and judgment.
History of large-scale operations and budgetary responsibility; financial and business acumen.
Bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree is strongly preferred.

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Impeccable character and integrity; someone whom the institution and community can trust completely and without reservation.
Superior interpersonal skills, a healthy sense of humor, and a supportive and accessible management style.
Intelligence, compassion, courage, and resilience.
Creative, critical, analytical thinker.
Ability to respect, honor, and balance the long-standing strengths of Harvard’s development operations while envisioning and implementing innovative approaches.
An optimistic, joyful spirit.
A healthy sense of humor.
A supportive, inclusive, and accessible management style.
An excellent listener, who encourages input from a wide array of perspectives at all levels of the organization.
Self-awareness and strong commitment to personal and professional development, proactively seeking feedback and coaching.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS

To submit materials or nominate someone to serve as the FAS Associate Vice President and Dean for Development, please email: HarvardAVP@SpencerStuart.com.

About the Institution

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. The home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) and Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), the FAS includes 40 academic departments and over 30 centers that support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and science disciplines.

Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity, and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.