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.
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 Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, Advancement Communications, Events & Donor Relations (ACEDR), University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and Office of Talent, Administration and Policy (OTAP).
The Director of Stewardship Reporting provides strategic leadership for the design and execution of a comprehensive impact reporting program within a higher education advancement environment. This role ensures that alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, and other benefactors receive compelling, accurate, and data-driven reports demonstrating the measurable impact of their philanthropic investments across scholarships, faculty support, research, capital projects, and student success initiatives.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Stewardship and Donor Engagement, the Director partners closely with Advancement, Academic Affairs, Institutional Research, Finance, and Communications to translate institutional outcomes into meaningful narratives that deepen donor engagement, strengthen stewardship, and drive long-term philanthropic growth.
Job Description
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement a strategy for donor impact reporting aligned with institutional priorities and campaign goals.
- Establish reporting standards, frameworks, and templates for endowed funds, current-use gifts, capital projects, and restricted grants.
- Serve as a senior advisor to advancement leadership on impact storytelling, transparency, and stewardship strategy.
- Contribute to comprehensive campaign reporting and board-level impact communications.
Donor Impact Reporting & Stewardship
- Oversee the creation of annual endowed fund reports, scholarship impact reports, research updates, and capital project summaries.
- Analyze reporting volume and determine reporting cadence, complexity, and customization across the spectrum of giving—including what reports should be within a digital platform.
- Ensure reporting aligns with gift agreements, donor intent, and compliance requirements.
- Serves as project manager for impact reports within the donor recognition spectrum and all special impact reporting projects. Develop concepts for customized impact reports for principal and major gift donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
- Integrate student and faculty stories, outcome data, and financial reporting into cohesive, donor-centered materials.
- Partner with gift officers to support cultivation, renewal, and upgrade strategies through high-quality stewardship materials.
Team Leadership & Operations
- Coordinates with DCASO and DRE Managing Directors on high level donor strategy with ED
- Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing donor reporting team.
- Allocates resources (including staff time) to manage reporting volume and account for appropriate complexity
- Establish quality assurance processes, timelines, and workflows to ensure timely delivery of reports.
- Foster a culture of collaboration between Advancement Services, Annual Giving, Major Gifts, Principal Gifts, and Communications teams.
- Identify and implement process improvements to streamline reporting cycles and enhance scalability.
Campaign & Institutional Initiatives
- Support comprehensive fundraising campaigns with impact summaries, milestone reports, and public-facing impact narratives.
- Partner with academic units, deans, and program directors to capture stories and measurable outcomes.
- Contribute to donor recognition publications and annual impact reports.
Working Conditions:
This role operates on a hybrid schedule. The Director is required to be physically present in the office for a minimum of two (2) days per week to collaborate with internal teams, manage local operations, and host on-site donor visits, with the flexibility to increase in-office presence during peak seasons.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to travel locally, regionally, or nationally
- Ability to stand and walk for multiple hours during large-scale donor recognition events
- Ability to occasionally move or transport event materials, signage, or donor gifts weighing up to 15–20 pounds
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 10+ years of experience in higher education advancement, donor relations, stewardship, or institutional research.
- 8-10+ years in a leadership or supervisory role.
- Demonstrated expertise in donor stewardship reporting, impact measurement, and higher education metrics (e.g., retention, graduation rates, research funding, student outcomes).
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate academic and financial data into compelling narratives.
- Experience managing reporting for endowed funds and restricted gifts.
- Occasional night and weekend work is required
- You will be expected to work certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each Spring, and participate in department retreats that are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Experience with advancement CRM systems (e.g., Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce Education Cloud).
- Familiarity with endowment management and foundation reporting.
- Experience working with volunteers and donors.
- Experience supporting comprehensive capital campaigns.
Core Competencies
- Experience building, developing, and managing high-performing teams, with the ability to influence and build strong relationships across diverse stakeholder groups
- Attention to detail and excellent written, data collection, and oral communication skills
- Contribute ideas and process improvements using available resources
- Able to prioritize work to maximize department resources
- Leverage data, analytics, and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to enhance operational effectiveness and personalization
- Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Wide-ranging knowledge of academic units, current affairs in higher education.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Well-developed project management skills, including experience initiating and implementing a new program or project.
- Ability to frequently communicate in-person, via phone, video conferencing, and email with internal teams and external stakeholders
- Executive Communication
- Donor-Centric Mindset
Additional Information
Please include a cover letter as a part of your application to help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.
- Orientation and Review Period: 6 months
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
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 060. 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.